Personal profile
Personal profile
I am an Associate Professor in Information Security and Director of the Cyber Security Distance Learning, a partnership programme between the University of London, Royal Holloway, and Coursera. I bring over 25 years of experience across academia, industry, government, and consultancy, working across multiple continents.
My research focuses on the intersection of cybersecurity and AI/ML, including ethical and responsible AI. I also volunteer as a Global Ambassador for Responsible AI and contribute to international policy, practice, mentoring, and capacity building in this area.
I currently also lead projects funded by the British Council (TNE), the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and the University of London’s Centre for Distance Education. I have also been involved with the United Nations, the British Council, GCRAI, IEEE, and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) on a range of education, cybersecurity, and AI-related initiatives.
RHUL Teaching
- IY4500/IY3821 - MSci/BSc Project (Supervisor)
- IY5500/IY5510 - MSc Project (Supervisor)
- CYM070 - Application & Software Security (Module Leader)
- IY5503 - Cyber Entrepreneurship and Practice (Module Leader)
Education/Academic qualification
Ethical AI, Executive Course, University of Cambridge
Award Date: 6 Feb 2026
Leadership and Management, MBA, University of Kent
Award Date: 18 Aug 2022
Information security Engineering, PhD, Investigating Android Permissions and Intents for Malware Detection , City University London
Award Date: 14 Feb 2018
Information Security, MSc, VoIP Security, National University of Sciences and Technology
Award Date: 14 Feb 2008
Electronics Engineering, BE, Securiing Cellular Mobile Communications
Award Date: 25 Dec 1995
Keywords
- Research & study skills in education
- Electronic engineering
- Change management
- Networks & communications
- Artificial intelligence
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 5 Gender Equality
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
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SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Spectre: a hybrid and adaptive cyber threats detection and response in volatile memory
Tariq Syed, A., Chahine Ghanem, M., Benkhalifa, E. & Abro, F. I., 11 Feb 2026, In: International Journal of Information Security. 25, 2Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
AI-Enabled Cybersecurity Education: Innovations in Distance Learning
Abro, F. I. & Grace, L., 2025, Centre of Distance Education (CODE) Occasional Papers series. University of London PressResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review
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Inclusive by Design: WISE Governance for Women-Inclusive, Safe, and Ethical AI
Abro, F. I., 2025, GSMA.Research output: Other contribution
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Innovations in Distance Learning
Abro, F. I., Salman, A., Grace, L. & Thomas, J., 2025.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Policy Document: Civil Military Cooperation for Digital Transformation
Abro, F. I., 2020Research output: Other contribution
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Mapping of App Based Cyber Security and Privacy Incidents
Idrees, F. (PI)
15/12/25 → …
Project: Consultancy
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Designing AI-Resilient Assessments for Online Cyber Security Education
Idrees, F. (PI)
14/11/25 → …
Project: Knowledge Exchange and Impact
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CyberBridge: A UK-Bangladesh TNE Partnership for Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity Education
Idrees, F. (PI), Shahid, W. (CoI) & Sharyar, R. (CoI)
17/07/25 → …
Project: Other
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Establishment of Business Incubation Centre at DUET
Idrees, F. (PI)
13/02/20 → 24/09/20
Project: Consultancy
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Establishment of National CyberSecurity Center of Pakistan
Idrees, F. (PI)
21/06/18 → 26/12/19
Project: Consultancy
Activities
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Knowledge Without Borders: Secure, Ethical, and Sustainable Digital Learning Ecosystems
Idrees, F. (Speaker)
19 Nov 2205Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Invited talk
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How Cybersecurity and AI can join Hands to Protect the World
Idrees, F. (Speaker) & Mersinas, K. (Speaker)
23 Oct 2025Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Oral presentation
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Fireside Chat on : Shaping Ethical and Responsible AI Deployment in Public Safety
Idrees, F. (Participant)
May 2025Activity: Other › Public engagement, outreach and knowledge exchange - Public Lecture/debate/seminar
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Academic Advisor
Idrees, F. (Participant)
2025 → …Activity: Other › Public engagement, outreach and knowledge exchange - Public Lecture/debate/seminar
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Inclusive Cybersecurity Education in Emerging Digital Economies
Idrees, F. (Speaker)
2025 → …Activity: Talk, presentation or media contribution › Invited talk
Prizes
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CRANE Netwrok Plus Regional Coordinator (South East and London regions)
Idrees, F. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Appointment
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Entrepreneurship Scholarship for MBA at Kent University
Idrees, F. (Recipient), 2021
Prize: Other distinction
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ERASMUS MUNDUS Scholarship for PhD at City St George University
Idrees, F. (Recipient), 2012
Prize: Other distinction
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