Topics

<> cybersecurity (27)

Muhammad Samiullah

Cyber Security, FPGA security, AI/ML security

Omar Rushdi

Visiting Student
Cyber Security, Phishing Detection, LLM

Jalal Saleem

Visiting Student
Cyber Security, LEO Satellite Constellation, Collision Avoidance

Ahmar Husain

Visiting Student
Cyber Security, Malware Analysis, LLM

Abidalrahman Obaidi

Visiting Student
Cybersecurity, Intrusion DetectionIDS, LLMs

Abdullah Alobaidi

Visiting Student
Cybersecurity, SOC Analysis, SIEM, LLM

Ahmad Didouh

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ali Hassan

Ali Hassan

Instructional Professor, Computer Science
Ali Hassan is an instructional professor in the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering (CEMSE) Division at KAUST.

Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems (ECCS) Workshop

Prof. Ahmed Eltawil, Prof. Charalambos Konstantinou, Prof. Khaled Nabil Salama

-

B2 L5 R5220

The workshop aims to bring together experts to present their latest research efforts related to Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems architectures and platforms that can scale efficiently, as well as operate securely and resiliently to provide the necessary resources demanded by current and future network applications.

Three papers accepted to SmartGridComm 2021

1 min read ·
Three papers accepted to SmartGridComm 2021. 1) " CHIMERA: A Hybrid Estimation Approach to Limit the Effects of False Data Injection Attacks on Electric Power Grid" in collaboration with Yier Jin's group from University of Florida. 2) " Cyber-Physical Disaster Response of Power Supply Using Centralised-to-Distributed Framework" in collaboration with Fei Teng's group from Imperial College London. 3) " Attack Detection and Localization in Smart Grid with Image-based Deep Learning" in collaboration with Mostafa Mohammadpourfard's group from Istanbul Technical University.

Meet KAUST new student: Ioannis Zografopoulos

1 min read ·
Ioannis Zografopoulos is a Ph.D. student who joined KAUST this fall as a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems (SENTRY) Lab under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou. Zografopoulos believes that KAUST's renowned faculty, global reputation and research infrastructure make the University the ideal environment for him to develop high-quality, impactful research.

KAUST SENTRY team wins 2021 Cybersecurity Games & Conference Embedded Security Challenge

1 min read ·
The SENTRY Lab team wins the 18th annual CSAW Cybersecurity Games & Conference’s (CSAW '21) Embedded Security Challenge (ESC).

Blocking microgrid cyberattacks to keep the power flowing

1 min read ·
Power grids have become far more complex in recent decades due to energy demands, environmental regulations and small-scale renewable energy systems that turn businesses and individuals into combined consumer-producers. One way to ensure that power supplies remain resilient is to create small groups of sources and loads called microgrids. Microgrids can operate independently of the main grid when required, such as supporting hospitals during natural disasters, for example. As microgrids grow more complex, they require sophisticated computer networks to coordinate, control and distribute

Load-Altering Attacks Against Power Grids under Low-Inertia Conditions

1 min read ·
Load-Altering Attacks Against Power Grids under COVID-19 Low-Inertia Conditions: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our society by forcing shutdowns and shifting the way people interacted worldwide. In relation to the impacts on the electric grid, it created a significant decrease in energy demands across the globe. Recent studies have shown that the low demand conditions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns combined with large renewable generation have resulted in extremely low-inertia grid conditions. In our work, in collaboration with Subhash Lakshminarayana, University of Warwick, UK, and Juan

A Digital Twin for cybersecurity in IoT devices

1 min read ·
Security decoupling in IoT communications is enforced with a Digital Twin that guarantees internal traffic isolation and immediate action if any unauthorized communication attempt is detected

Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation

1 min read ·
Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation: Power grids are undergoing radical changes to meet energy demands, comply with environmental regulations, and improve the quality of service and system resilience. The inclusion of information and communication technologies and embedded devices enables the remote coordination, and control of microgrids (MG) and has transformed traditional power systems into cyber-physical systems. The security of MG-enabled power systems should not be overlooked given the plethora of cyberattacks against this pillar of critical

Simple hardware to defend microgrid attacks

1 min read ·
An inexpensive piece of hardware integrated with solar panel controllers can protect isolated power networks from cyberattacks.

An Effective Security Scheme for Attacks on Sample Value Messages in IEC 61850 Automated Substations

1 min read ·
The trend of transforming substations into smart automated facilities has led to their swift digitalization and automation. To facilitate data exchange among equipment within these substations, the IEC 61850 standard has become the predominant standard. However, this standardization has inadvertently made these substations more susceptible to cyberattacks, which is a significant concern given the confidential information that is transmitted. As a result, cybersecurity in substations is becoming an increasingly critical topic. IEC 62351 standard provides guidelines and considerations for

Distributed Energy Resources Cybersecurity Outlook: Vulnerabilities, Attacks, Impacts, and Mitigations

1 min read ·
The digitization and decentralization of the electric power grid represent crucial steps toward achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. In pursuit of this objective, distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles, are increasingly integrated into power systems. These DERs offer several advantages to power utilities by reducing operational costs and deferring investments for the expansion of the power system network while also affording users and aggregators greater control over their electricity generation and

Moaaz Hasan Fayome

Moaaz Hasan Fayumy is a senior undergraduate student at MIT, specializing in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In the capacity of a researcher with the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) at KAUST, he has engaged in projects concerning the development of methods for solid-state battery 'fingerprinting', a technique designed to improve hardware security. His work is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, merging principles of electrical engineering and computer science in the context of real-world challenges. Amid the complexity and technical difficulties

Michał Forystek

M.S. Student, Computer Science
Computer Science Master's student at the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou.

Majed Mazin Zamzami

Majed Zamzami is an undergraduate student at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He is studying computer science with a focus in cybersecurity. Majed joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student with interest in cybersecurity and optimization.

Ioannis (Yannis) Zografopoulos

Ioannis Zografopoulos received his Ph.D. at the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2023. Prior, he graduated with a B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in Computer, Communications, and Network Engineering, and an M.Sc. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. His research interests include cyber-physical systems security, with an emphasis on embedded systems for industrial, distributed energy, and power grid

Hadeel A. Ameen

Hadeel is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech, USA. She is pursuing a computer science B.S. degree minoring in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). She joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a Saudi Summer Internship (SSI) student. Hadeel is interested in cybersecurity and machine learning which allowed to enhance both her knowledge and experience in the uses and applications of different fields of computer science.

Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou

Professor Konstantinou is an expert in critical infrastructure security and resilience, focusing on smart grid technology, renewable energy integration and real-time simulation.

Ali M. AlFarhan

Ali Alfarhan is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. He is studying computer science with a minor in game design. Ali joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student, with interest in cybersecurity and optimization.

Alya AlShaikh

Alya AlShaikh is currently an undergraduate student at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, KSA. She is pursuing a Software Engineering BSc specializing in Cyber Security and Machine Learning. Alya joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Konstantinou as an Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master's (ABM) student. Her research interests include applying machine learning techniques to enhance cyber defense strategies.
<> machine learning (19)

Andrea Vanessa Rocha

Research Specialist, Statistics
Chengjie zhao

Chengjie Zhao

Visiting Researcher, Information Science Lab
Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

David Gomez-Cabrero

Associate Professor, Bioscience
Professor Cabrero's research focuses on developing statistics and machine learning tools for understanding biological systems that address health-related applications, advance biomedical research and enhance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of diseases with the potential to uncover novel therapeutic approaches.

Mohamed Ads

Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Hayssam Dahrouj

Senior Research Scientist at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology)

Karen Sanchez

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Karen Sanchez is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the IVUL lab at KAUST, specializing in deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare applications. Her research focuses on video understanding, domain adaptation, generative AI, and methods for preserving patient privacy.

Hani A. Al Majed

M.S. Student
Electrical and Computer Engineering Master's student at KAUST under the supervision of Professor Bernard Ghanem, with expertise in machine learning workflow automation, physics-informed neural operators, and AI for Science, particularly in chemistry applications. Passionate about leveraging AI to solve complex scientific problems.

Ahmad Sait

M.S. Student, Computer Science
Ahmad Sait is a Master's student in the Computer Science program at KAUST. Before joining KAUST, Ahmad obtained his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Ahmad is also a KAUST Academy graduate from the AI track, having been under the supervision of Prof. Naeemullah Khan. The Academy provided him with seven opportunities to assist in teaching students enrolled in subsequent cohorts.

Saleh AlJazzar

Research Fellow at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) .

Muhammad Esmat

Visiting student at, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Yasser Jaber

Visiting Student Researcher ,Machine Learning Engineer at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology).
Syed Abidullah Fareed

Syed Abidullah Fareed

Visiting Student (former), Information Science Lab

Ahsan Mehmood

Intern (former), Information Science Lab
Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Abdulkarem Badiea Alshaibani

Visiting Student at the Information Science Lab at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems (ECCS) Workshop

Prof. Ahmed Eltawil, Prof. Charalambos Konstantinou, Prof. Khaled Nabil Salama

-

B2 L5 R5220

The workshop aims to bring together experts to present their latest research efforts related to Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems architectures and platforms that can scale efficiently, as well as operate securely and resiliently to provide the necessary resources demanded by current and future network applications.

Summer Internships at SENTRY

1 min read ·
SENTRY lab hosted three Saudi Summer Internship Students from US universities to collaborate on our current research projects.

Li Zhou

Ms/PhD Student, CTF player, Interested in Reverse Engineering

Hadeel A. Ameen

Hadeel is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech, USA. She is pursuing a computer science B.S. degree minoring in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). She joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a Saudi Summer Internship (SSI) student. Hadeel is interested in cybersecurity and machine learning which allowed to enhance both her knowledge and experience in the uses and applications of different fields of computer science.

Alya AlShaikh

Alya AlShaikh is currently an undergraduate student at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, KSA. She is pursuing a Software Engineering BSc specializing in Cyber Security and Machine Learning. Alya joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Konstantinou as an Accelerated Bachelor’s and Master's (ABM) student. Her research interests include applying machine learning techniques to enhance cyber defense strategies.
<> IoT (9)

Serine Medjber

Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Mr. Tareq Al-Naffouri

Mohammed Amine Labbas

Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Mr. Tareq Al-Naffouri
Ruochen Zhu

Ruochen Zhu

Mohamed Ads

Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Syed Abidullah Fareed

Syed Abidullah Fareed

Visiting Student (former), Information Science Lab

Ahsan Mehmood

Intern (former), Information Science Lab
Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Secure Firmware Updates on Embedded Systems

1 min read ·
With the advancement of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology, embedded devices have increasingly permeated our daily lives. Such devices allow physical objects to become integrable with information. As a result, embedded devices are increasingly interdependent and, in many cases, important to our safety. For example, critical domains such as Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are being integrated into Industrial IoT (IIoT) embedded systems in order to augment traditional control systems with wireless sensing services and provide better automation through multiple sensors and measurement points

A Digital Twin for cybersecurity in IoT devices

1 min read ·
Security decoupling in IoT communications is enforced with a Digital Twin that guarantees internal traffic isolation and immediate action if any unauthorized communication attempt is detected

Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou

Professor Konstantinou is an expert in critical infrastructure security and resilience, focusing on smart grid technology, renewable energy integration and real-time simulation.
<> Signal processing (9)

Serine Medjber

Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Mr. Tareq Al-Naffouri

Mohammed Amine Labbas

Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Mr. Tareq Al-Naffouri
Chengjie zhao

Chengjie Zhao

Visiting Researcher, Information Science Lab
Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
Almutasem Bellah Enad

Almutasem Bellah Enad

Visiting Researcher (former), Information Science Lab
Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Present M.Eng in Electrical and Computer Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon
Ahmad Dkhan

Ahmad Dkhan

Visiting Scholar (former), Information Science Lab
Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Present -Master's in Electrical and Computer Engineering, American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Saleh AlJazzar

Research Fellow at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) .

Alaa Alameer Ahmad

Research visit to communication theory lab in computer, electrical and mathematical sciences and engineering. KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) ,Worked with research groups supervised by Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini and Prof. Tareq AL-Naffouri.

Abdullatif Al-Rabah

MS Degree, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Peter Schmid

​Professor Schmid's research interests are in theoretical and computational fluid dynamics, with emphasis on hydrodynamic stability theory, flow control, model reduction and system identification. He is also interested in computational techniques for flow optimization and quantitative flow analysis.
<> deep learning (8)

Adonai Vera

Machine Learning Engineer with 6+ years of experience specializing in computer vision, deep learning, and robotics. Led AI solutions for retail analytics, UAV systems, and edge devices. Author, educator, and TensorFlow Google Developer Expert.

Juan Pablo Muñoz Díaz

Karen Sanchez

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Karen Sanchez is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the IVUL lab at KAUST, specializing in deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare applications. Her research focuses on video understanding, domain adaptation, generative AI, and methods for preserving patient privacy.

Mhd. Emad Alolaby

Sixiu Liu

Ph.D. degree in Earth science and engineering with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Ahmed Youssef Ragab Radwan

Visiting Student (former), Information Science Lab
Visiting student at the Information Science Lab, in the Electrical Engineering Department, CEMSE, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
<> Computer Vision (7)

Adonai Vera

Machine Learning Engineer with 6+ years of experience specializing in computer vision, deep learning, and robotics. Led AI solutions for retail analytics, UAV systems, and edge devices. Author, educator, and TensorFlow Google Developer Expert.

Abdelrahman Eldesokey

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
I am a Postdoctoral Fellow at KAUST, Saudi Arabia, specializing in Generative AI and conducting research on advanced topics in Generative and Large Language Models (LLMs). I bring over 11 years of combined academic and industrial experience in Computer Vision and Deep Learning across Sweden, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
Najmeddine Dhieb

Najmeddine Dhieb

Karen Sanchez

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Karen Sanchez is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the IVUL lab at KAUST, specializing in deep learning, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) for healthcare applications. Her research focuses on video understanding, domain adaptation, generative AI, and methods for preserving patient privacy.

Aznaur Aliev

M.S. Student

Hani A. Al Majed

M.S. Student
Electrical and Computer Engineering Master's student at KAUST under the supervision of Professor Bernard Ghanem, with expertise in machine learning workflow automation, physics-informed neural operators, and AI for Science, particularly in chemistry applications. Passionate about leveraging AI to solve complex scientific problems.

Ahmad Sait

M.S. Student, Computer Science
Ahmad Sait is a Master's student in the Computer Science program at KAUST. Before joining KAUST, Ahmad obtained his Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Ahmad is also a KAUST Academy graduate from the AI track, having been under the supervision of Prof. Naeemullah Khan. The Academy provided him with seven opportunities to assist in teaching students enrolled in subsequent cohorts.
<> embedded systems (7)

Serine Medjber

Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Mr. Tareq Al-Naffouri

Mohammed Amine Labbas

Visiting student at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under the supervision of Mr. Tareq Al-Naffouri
Syed Abidullah Fareed

Syed Abidullah Fareed

Visiting Student (former), Information Science Lab

Meet KAUST new student: Ioannis Zografopoulos

1 min read ·
Ioannis Zografopoulos is a Ph.D. student who joined KAUST this fall as a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems (SENTRY) Lab under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou. Zografopoulos believes that KAUST's renowned faculty, global reputation and research infrastructure make the University the ideal environment for him to develop high-quality, impactful research.

Secure Firmware Updates on Embedded Systems

1 min read ·
With the advancement of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology, embedded devices have increasingly permeated our daily lives. Such devices allow physical objects to become integrable with information. As a result, embedded devices are increasingly interdependent and, in many cases, important to our safety. For example, critical domains such as Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are being integrated into Industrial IoT (IIoT) embedded systems in order to augment traditional control systems with wireless sensing services and provide better automation through multiple sensors and measurement points

Ioannis (Yannis) Zografopoulos

Ioannis Zografopoulos received his Ph.D. at the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2023. Prior, he graduated with a B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in Computer, Communications, and Network Engineering, and an M.Sc. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. His research interests include cyber-physical systems security, with an emphasis on embedded systems for industrial, distributed energy, and power grid

Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou

Professor Konstantinou is an expert in critical infrastructure security and resilience, focusing on smart grid technology, renewable energy integration and real-time simulation.
<> artificial intelligence (6)
Najmeddine Dhieb

Najmeddine Dhieb

Mohamed Ads

Visiting Student, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology

Yasmeen Alsaedy

M.S. Student, Computer Science
She is an AI researcher specializing in generative AI and deep learning. With a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in machine learning, data science and artificial intelligence, she is passionate about advancing AI applications in real-world scenarios. She has contributed to cutting-edge projects, published research, and collaborated on innovative solutions that bridge the gap between AI theory and practice. Her expertise includes designing and implementing advanced data models, AI-driven visual/text computing, and deep learning architectures.

Yasser Jaber

Visiting Student Researcher ,Machine Learning Engineer at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology).
Syed Abidullah Fareed

Syed Abidullah Fareed

Visiting Student (former), Information Science Lab

Ahmed Youssef Ragab Radwan

Visiting Student (former), Information Science Lab
Visiting student at the Information Science Lab, in the Electrical Engineering Department, CEMSE, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
<> cyber-physical systems (5)

Cross-Layer Security of Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems

Prof. Mohammad Alfaruque, University of California, Irvine, USA.

-

B2 5220

Abstract Cyber-physical systems (CPS) are engineered systems that are built from, and depend upon, the seamless integration of computation and physical components [NSF]. Embedded systems comprising of hardware and software systems are the major enabling technology for these cyber-physical systems. Today, CPSs can be found in security-sensitive areas such as aerospace, automotive, energy, healthcare, manufacturing transportation, entertainment, and consumer appliances. Compared to the traditional information processing systems, due to the tight interactions between cyber and physical components

Model-based Design of Cyber-physical Systems with Learning Components

Prof. Panagiotis Katsaros, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

-

B2 5220

Abstract Cyber-physical system design involves heterogeneous components for sensing, control, actuation, networking and relies on models for the system’s physical dynamics, and all interactions with its environment. Since safety and security are critical, model-based engineering methods are often used to increase the confidence and guide the validation testing of the system under design. An abundant of results from modern system theory (discrete, continuous and hybrid) provides the foundations for modeling, simulation, testing and formal verification. Mature tools and languages offer advanced

Meet KAUST new student: Ioannis Zografopoulos

1 min read ·
Ioannis Zografopoulos is a Ph.D. student who joined KAUST this fall as a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems (SENTRY) Lab under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou. Zografopoulos believes that KAUST's renowned faculty, global reputation and research infrastructure make the University the ideal environment for him to develop high-quality, impactful research.

Ioannis (Yannis) Zografopoulos

Ioannis Zografopoulos received his Ph.D. at the Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE) of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2023. Prior, he graduated with a B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees in Computer, Communications, and Network Engineering, and an M.Sc. degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece, in 2014 and 2015, respectively. His research interests include cyber-physical systems security, with an emphasis on embedded systems for industrial, distributed energy, and power grid

Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou

Professor Konstantinou is an expert in critical infrastructure security and resilience, focusing on smart grid technology, renewable energy integration and real-time simulation.
<> electrical engineering (5)

Raef Murtadha Almuallem

Raef Almuallem is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. He is studying electrical engineering. Raef joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student.

Moaaz Hasan Fayome

Moaaz Hasan Fayumy is a senior undergraduate student at MIT, specializing in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. In the capacity of a researcher with the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) at KAUST, he has engaged in projects concerning the development of methods for solid-state battery 'fingerprinting', a technique designed to improve hardware security. His work is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, merging principles of electrical engineering and computer science in the context of real-world challenges. Amid the complexity and technical difficulties

Gabriel Eduardo Mejia Ruiz

Gabriel E. Mejia Ruiz received a Ph.D. (Cum Laude) degree in Electrical Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 2023. He received the M.Eng. degree (outstanding distinction) with an emphasis in electrical and electronic systems from the University of Antioquia, Colombia, in 2015. He received a B.S. degree in Control Engineering from Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2008. His background includes working as a lecturer in engineering areas. Currently, he is a researcher at the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) of King Abdullah University of

Ahmad Bin Afzal

Afzal received his B.Tech. degree in Electrical Engineering from Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology in 2023. He is an ECE Master's student in the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Education Profile Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, India.

Abdullah Raafat Alfaraj

Abdullah Alfaraj is an undergraduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, focusing on semiconductors and control systems. Abdullah joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student, appealed by circuit design and analysis.
<> resilience (5)

The 2025 Iberian Blackout: Anatomy of a Grid Collapse

-

B9 L2 R2322

This talk provides a data-informed timeline of the April 28 Iberian blackout, examining how system conditions and possible instabilities may have shaped the cascade of events.

Three papers accepted to SmartGridComm 2021

1 min read ·
Three papers accepted to SmartGridComm 2021. 1) " CHIMERA: A Hybrid Estimation Approach to Limit the Effects of False Data Injection Attacks on Electric Power Grid" in collaboration with Yier Jin's group from University of Florida. 2) " Cyber-Physical Disaster Response of Power Supply Using Centralised-to-Distributed Framework" in collaboration with Fei Teng's group from Imperial College London. 3) " Attack Detection and Localization in Smart Grid with Image-based Deep Learning" in collaboration with Mostafa Mohammadpourfard's group from Istanbul Technical University.

Prior Information Makes Power Grids More Resilient

1 min read ·
The power grid infrastructure is a large-scale, heterogeneous, and complex cyber-physical system which forms the lifeline of modern societies. The trend of tight coupling of physics, communication and computation in cyber-physical energy systems (CPES) is evident by the inclusion of numerous measurement sensors. This contributes to enhancing the monitoring and control functionalities of CPES. At the same time, the occurrence of adverse effects constitutes a vital dimension of CPES operation. Increasing the resilience of critical energy systems of key importance for safeguarding the national

KAUST SENTRY team wins 2021 Cybersecurity Games & Conference Embedded Security Challenge

1 min read ·
The SENTRY Lab team wins the 18th annual CSAW Cybersecurity Games & Conference’s (CSAW '21) Embedded Security Challenge (ESC).

Blocking microgrid cyberattacks to keep the power flowing

1 min read ·
Power grids have become far more complex in recent decades due to energy demands, environmental regulations and small-scale renewable energy systems that turn businesses and individuals into combined consumer-producers. One way to ensure that power supplies remain resilient is to create small groups of sources and loads called microgrids. Microgrids can operate independently of the main grid when required, such as supporting hospitals during natural disasters, for example. As microgrids grow more complex, they require sophisticated computer networks to coordinate, control and distribute
<> cyber-physical energy systems (4)

Load-Altering Attacks Against Power Grids under Low-Inertia Conditions

1 min read ·
Load-Altering Attacks Against Power Grids under COVID-19 Low-Inertia Conditions: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our society by forcing shutdowns and shifting the way people interacted worldwide. In relation to the impacts on the electric grid, it created a significant decrease in energy demands across the globe. Recent studies have shown that the low demand conditions caused by COVID-19 lockdowns combined with large renewable generation have resulted in extremely low-inertia grid conditions. In our work, in collaboration with Subhash Lakshminarayana, University of Warwick, UK, and Juan

Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation

1 min read ·
Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation: Power grids are undergoing radical changes to meet energy demands, comply with environmental regulations, and improve the quality of service and system resilience. The inclusion of information and communication technologies and embedded devices enables the remote coordination, and control of microgrids (MG) and has transformed traditional power systems into cyber-physical systems. The security of MG-enabled power systems should not be overlooked given the plethora of cyberattacks against this pillar of critical

An Effective Security Scheme for Attacks on Sample Value Messages in IEC 61850 Automated Substations

1 min read ·
The trend of transforming substations into smart automated facilities has led to their swift digitalization and automation. To facilitate data exchange among equipment within these substations, the IEC 61850 standard has become the predominant standard. However, this standardization has inadvertently made these substations more susceptible to cyberattacks, which is a significant concern given the confidential information that is transmitted. As a result, cybersecurity in substations is becoming an increasingly critical topic. IEC 62351 standard provides guidelines and considerations for

Distributed Energy Resources Cybersecurity Outlook: Vulnerabilities, Attacks, Impacts, and Mitigations

1 min read ·
The digitization and decentralization of the electric power grid represent crucial steps toward achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. In pursuit of this objective, distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles, are increasingly integrated into power systems. These DERs offer several advantages to power utilities by reducing operational costs and deferring investments for the expansion of the power system network while also affording users and aggregators greater control over their electricity generation and
<> hardware security (4)

Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems (ECCS) Workshop

Prof. Ahmed Eltawil, Prof. Charalambos Konstantinou, Prof. Khaled Nabil Salama

-

B2 L5 R5220

The workshop aims to bring together experts to present their latest research efforts related to Embedded and Cyber Connected Systems architectures and platforms that can scale efficiently, as well as operate securely and resiliently to provide the necessary resources demanded by current and future network applications.

Secure Firmware Updates on Embedded Systems

1 min read ·
With the advancement of Internet-of-Things (IoT) technology, embedded devices have increasingly permeated our daily lives. Such devices allow physical objects to become integrable with information. As a result, embedded devices are increasingly interdependent and, in many cases, important to our safety. For example, critical domains such as Industrial Control Systems (ICS) are being integrated into Industrial IoT (IIoT) embedded systems in order to augment traditional control systems with wireless sensing services and provide better automation through multiple sensors and measurement points

Hardware-based Malware Detectors Actually Work: Transition to Practice After a Decade of Research

1 min read ·
HPC-based Malware Detectors Actually Work: Transition to Practice After a Decade of Research: Our recent work has come out as the result of our research on HPC (hardware performance counters) security in the last decade. During this time, HPC-based malware detection transitioned from academic research through government transition to industry adoption. In this paper, we outline this evolution by presenting use cases on critical power grid infrastructure protection as part of DARPA RADICS program, as well as describing how HPCs are utilized within Intel’s HPC-based Threat Detection Technology

Simple hardware to defend microgrid attacks

1 min read ·
An inexpensive piece of hardware integrated with solar panel controllers can protect isolated power networks from cyberattacks.
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kaust-cemse-ccsl-yousef-awad

Yousef Awad

kaust-cemse-ccsl-bumin-kagan-yildirim

Bumin Kagan Yildirim

Bang Huang

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Bang Huang works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Computer Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under the supervision of Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini in the Communication Theory Lab (CTL). Education and Early Career Bang Huang received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering and Ph.D degree in information and communication engineering from the School of Information and Communication Engineering (SICE), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, in

Xiaowei Pang

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Xiaowei Pang is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Computer Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), working with Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini in the Communication Theory Lab (CTL). Education and Early Career Xiaowei Pang received her B.S. degree in Telecommunication Engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China, in 2018, and her Ph.D. degree in Information and Communication Engineering from Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China, in 2024. From 2021 to 2022
<> MATLAB (4) <> power systems (4)

Summer Internships at SENTRY

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SENTRY lab hosted three Saudi Summer Internship Students from US universities to collaborate on our current research projects.

Yang Gao

Yang is an ECE Ph.D. student in the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Education Profile M.Sc. in Electrical Power Systems Engineering, The University of Manchester, UK B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering and Automation, Shandong University of Science and Technology, China

Gokul Krishnan S

PhD student at KAUST who works in grid design and control using HIL and RCP systems like RTDS, Opal-RT, Speedgoat, Typhoon and dSPACE.

Ahmad Bin Afzal

Afzal received his B.Tech. degree in Electrical Engineering from Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology in 2023. He is an ECE Master's student in the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) under the supervision of Professor Charalambos Konstantinou at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). Education Profile Bachelor of Technology in Electrical Engineering, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University, India.
<> AI (3) <> Computer science (3)

Yasser AlThuwaini

Yasser AlThuwaini is an undergraduate student at The George Washington University, USA. He is pursuing a Mechanical Engineering B.S. with a focus on Robotics. Yasser joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student. Yasser’s double minors in Electrical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, along with his interest in Computer Science, allowed him to take a multidisciplinary approach in his work.

Hadeel A. Ameen

Hadeel is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech, USA. She is pursuing a computer science B.S. degree minoring in Human Computer Interaction (HCI). She joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a Saudi Summer Internship (SSI) student. Hadeel is interested in cybersecurity and machine learning which allowed to enhance both her knowledge and experience in the uses and applications of different fields of computer science.

Ali M. AlFarhan

Ali Alfarhan is an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. He is studying computer science with a minor in game design. Ali joined the Secure Next Generation Resilient Systems Lab (SENTRY) led by Professor Charalambos (Harrys) Konstantinou as a KAUST Gifted Student Program (KGSP) student, with interest in cybersecurity and optimization.
<> Cyber attacks and defenses (3)

Blocking microgrid cyberattacks to keep the power flowing

1 min read ·
Power grids have become far more complex in recent decades due to energy demands, environmental regulations and small-scale renewable energy systems that turn businesses and individuals into combined consumer-producers. One way to ensure that power supplies remain resilient is to create small groups of sources and loads called microgrids. Microgrids can operate independently of the main grid when required, such as supporting hospitals during natural disasters, for example. As microgrids grow more complex, they require sophisticated computer networks to coordinate, control and distribute

Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation

1 min read ·
Mitigation of Cyberattacks through Battery Storage for Stable Microgrid Operation: Power grids are undergoing radical changes to meet energy demands, comply with environmental regulations, and improve the quality of service and system resilience. The inclusion of information and communication technologies and embedded devices enables the remote coordination, and control of microgrids (MG) and has transformed traditional power systems into cyber-physical systems. The security of MG-enabled power systems should not be overlooked given the plethora of cyberattacks against this pillar of critical

Distributed Energy Resources Cybersecurity Outlook: Vulnerabilities, Attacks, Impacts, and Mitigations

1 min read ·
The digitization and decentralization of the electric power grid represent crucial steps toward achieving both economic and environmental sustainability. In pursuit of this objective, distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar panels, battery storage systems, and electric vehicles, are increasingly integrated into power systems. These DERs offer several advantages to power utilities by reducing operational costs and deferring investments for the expansion of the power system network while also affording users and aggregators greater control over their electricity generation and
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Bang Huang

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Bang Huang works as a postdoctoral fellow at the Computer Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), under the supervision of Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini in the Communication Theory Lab (CTL). Education and Early Career Bang Huang received the M.S. degree (with honors) in electrical engineering and Ph.D degree in information and communication engineering from the School of Information and Communication Engineering (SICE), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Chengdu, China, in

Xiaowei Pang

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Xiaowei Pang is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Computer Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division (CEMSE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), working with Professor Mohamed-Slim Alouini in the Communication Theory Lab (CTL). Education and Early Career Xiaowei Pang received her B.S. degree in Telecommunication Engineering from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, China, in 2018, and her Ph.D. degree in Information and Communication Engineering from Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, China, in 2024. From 2021 to 2022
H

Hussein Al-Shatri

I chose KAUST because of its reputation for excellence in research and its recent emphasis on applied research. With my extensive background in both academic research and industrial development, I am excited to contribute my experience and ambition. My goal is to foster new ideas and develop innovative prototypes in the field of wireless communications, which will undoubtedly enhance people's lives.
<> optimization (3) <> Photonics and optoelectronics (3) <> Reinforcement Learning (3) <> resiliency (3) <> 5G networks (2) <> AI4Science (2) <> applied mathematics (2) <> bioscience (2) <> blockchain (2) <> communication networks (2) <> control systems (2) <> Cyber Security (2) <> Dynamical Systems (2) <> Generative AI and LLMs (2) <> healthcare (2) <> industrial control systems (2) <> integrated photonics (2)

Aleksandr Movsisian

Aleksandr received his bachelor’s degree in 2023 in Physics from Moscow State University (MSU, ranked first in Russia) and completed a master’s degree in Physics with honors at the same institution. He has over two years of research experience in quantum optics, optomechanics, and quantum measurement theory as part of the LIGO group at MSU. His work has focused on squeezed states of light, measurement topologies, and methods to overcome the Standard Quantum Limit, resulting in two first-author publications in JOSA B and Optics Letters. Aleksandr also gained hands-on experimental experience at

Aram Mkrtchyan

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dr. Aram Mkrtchyan is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Integrated Photonics Laboratory (IPL) at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), where he works under the supervision of Prof. Yating Wan. He earned his Ph.D. in Photonics from the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), where he specialized in nonlinear optics, ultrafast fiber lasers, and photonic integrated circuits. He received his M.Sc. degrees in parallel from Skoltech and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), and holds a B.Sc. degree in Applied Physics and Mathematics from
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