Prof. Pasquale Malacaria

What is it about Security and Authentication that you enjoy so much?  

There are several intellectual challenges in the area of cybersecurity and many people have found smart ways to address these challenges. I enjoy this intellectual aspect, communicating all this to students, and witnessing students' growing interest in the subject. 

Why do you think this module is critical for students to learn? What will they gain from it?  

Because cybersecurity is a major aspect of the digital world and is important to understand and think critically about these threats, how to analyse them, and how to respond to them. 

How would you describe your teaching style?  

Very interactive, I try to make it a “journey of discovery” which we (students and I) take together. I think this style likely enhances their engagement and understanding of these complex topics. 

What components of the module would be transferable to the industry students end up in?  

The module has a very practical component where we do concrete cyber-attacks and defences on virtual machines, so that is clearly transferable to industry. But also the more theoretical part (cryptography, including some of the Maths behind it) has, I would say, an aspect relevant to industry, at least in terms of logical and critical thinking. 

What advice do you have for students considering a degree in Cyber Security? 

I would suggest aiming to have both a practical and theoretical preparation, including maths. Threats change but there will always be new threats emerging so critical reasoning, adaptability, maths and programming skills will be very valuable for this evolving landscape. Also find a subsector of interest and try to become a security expert in that domain (e.g., smart cards, or some particular type of devices and their drivers, or credit cards transactions etc...) as this will enhance your chance of finding a role in that specific area. 

What has been the highlight of your time at EECS?  

I have met great people in EECS: colleagues, students, PhD students, research assistants and professional services. I am especially grateful to the colleagues, PhD students and research assistants I have done research work with.