Sadiq Sani

Dr Sadiq Sani BSc, MSc, PhD, CEH, ECSA

Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity (Operational Technology Cyber Security)

Key details

Dr Sadiq Sani

Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity (Operational Technology Cyber Security)

Dr Sadiq Sani received a PhD degree from The University of Sydney and professional education from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a Certified Ethical Hacker and an EC-Council Certified Security Analyst. With several professional and industry certifications and training in cybersecurity and Information Technology (IT), he is a highly trained cybersecurity, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and Energy IT expert; with several years of industry experience and expertise ranging from penetration testing and countermeasures, through security architecture and engineering, to Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity and network security. He is versed in the Internet of Things (IoT), distributed ledger technologies (such as blockchain), and Operational Technology (OT).

Dr Sadiq works very closely with the industry; currently advises on cybersecurity, ICT, and OT.

Prior to joining the University of Greenwich as a Senior Lecturer in Cybersecurity, he was an industry-oriented researcher/project lead and a lecturer at the University of New South Wales and The University of Sydney, respectively. He focuses on industry research; his primary research interests include applied cryptography, IoT security and privacy, energy internet and smart grid/microgrid cybersecurity, distributed key management, risk assessments, IoT distributed ledger and cryptocurrency technologies, quantum cryptography, OT cybersecurity, network and communication security, secure software engineering, and distributed federated learning.

He is a member of EC-Council, ICS-CERT, ACS, IEEE, and ACM. He is a technical paper reviewer for IEEE TDSC, IEEE TII, IEEE ICDCS, IEEE TrustCom, and ACM Computing Surveys. He holds key intellectual property in identity management, cryptocurrency, and distributed ledger technologies.

Computer science and computing

Responsibilities within the university
  • Industry Research
  • Project Supervision
  • Cybersecurity Module Leader

Research / Scholarly interests
  • Internet of Things (IoT) security and privacy
  • Quantum resistant cryptographic schemes
  • Applied cryptography
  • Distributed key management
  • Risk-based security assessments
  • Applied cybersecurity
  • Network and communication security
  • IoT distributed ledger and cryptocurrency technologies
  • Energy internet and smart grid/micro-grid cybersecurity and safety
  • Secure power and energy systems
  • Peer-to-Peer energy storage and trading
  • Distributed renewable energy grid connection
  • Secure computing frameworks
  • Operational technology cybersecurity
  • Distributed federated learning
  • Secure software engineering

Recent publications

Article

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Loukas, George, Dong, Zhao Yang (2024), UReum: a universally composable blockchain-enabled model for secure and privacy-preserving data awareness in energy internet. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: , , , . Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), IEEE Access 2169-3536 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2024.3496258).

Li, Yanli , Yuan, Dong, Sani, Abubakar Sadiq, Bao, Wei (2023), Enhancing Federated Learning robustness in adversarial environment through clustering Non-IID features. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Computers and Security, 132: 103319 . pp. 1-13 ISSN: 0167-4048 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2023.103319).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Bertino, Elisa, Yuan, Dong, Meng, Ke , Dong, Zhao Yang (2022), SPrivAD: a secure and privacy-preserving mutually dependent authentication and data access scheme for smart communities. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Computers & Security, 115: 102610 ISSN: 0167-4048 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cose.2022.102610).

Gourisetti, Sri Nikhil Gupta , Cali, Umit, Choo, Kim-Kwang Raymond, Escobar, Elizabeth , Gorog, Christopher , Lee, Annabelle , Mylrea, Michael , Pasetti, Marco , Rahimi, Farrokh , Reddi, Ramesh (2021), Standardization of the distributed ledger technology cybersecurity stack for power and energy applications. Elsevier. In: , , , . Elsevier, Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, 28: 100553 ISSN: 2352-4677 (Print), 2352-4677 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2021.100553).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Bao, Wei, Dong, Zhao Yang (2020), A universally composable key exchange protocol for advanced metering infrastructure in the energy Internet. IEEE. In: , , , . IEEE, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics, 17 (1) . pp. 534-546 ISSN: 1551-3203 (Print), 1941-0050 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TII.2020.2971707).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Bao, Wei, Dong, Zhao Yang , Vucetic, Branka , Bertino, Elisa (2019), Universally composable key bootstrapping and secure communication protocols for the energy Internet. IEEE. In: , , , . IEEE, IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, 14 (8) . pp. 2113-2127 ISSN: 1556-6013 (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TIFS.2019.2892005).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Jin, Jiong, Gao, Longxiang , Yu, Shui , Dong, Zhao Yang (2018), Cyber security framework for Internet of Things-based Energy Internet. North-Holland. In: , , , . North-Holland, Future Generation Computer Systems, 93 . pp. 849-859 ISSN: 0167-739X (Print), (doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.future.2018.01.029).

Book section

Li, Yanli , Sani, Abubakar Sadiq, Yuan, Dong, Bao, Wei (2022), Enhancing Federated Learning robustness through non-IID features. In: Workshop of Adversarial Machine Learning towards Advanced Vision Systems (AMLAVS) at ACCV 2022, 4th - 8th DECEMBER 2022, Macau SAR, China , Computer Vision – ACCV 2022 Workshops. , . pp. 41-55 . ISBN: 9783031270666 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27066-6_4).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Ogaji, S., Dong, Zhao Yang (2020), CyreumE: A real-time situational awareness and decision making blockchain-based architecture for the energy Internet. Springer. In: , , In: Yuchu Tian, David Charles Levy (eds.), Handbook of Real-Time Computing. Springer, Singapore (1st) . pp. 1-49 . ISBN: 9789814585873 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-4585-87-3_48-1) NB Item availability restricted.

Conference proceedings

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Lawal, Yahaya, Loukas, George , Dong, Zhao Yang (2025), A sustainable dispositional and situational security awareness model for Smart Grids. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: , , , 2024 Global Energy Conference (GEC). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), New Jersey, USA . pp. 135-140 . ISBN: 9798331532628 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/GEC61857.2024.10880948).

Tang, Dahao , Yang, Nan, Deng, Yongkun, Zhang, Yuning , Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong (2024), Stability-driven CNN training with Lyapunov-based dynamic learning rate. Springer. In: , , , Databases Theory and Applications: 35th Australasian Database Conference, ADC 2024, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, and Tokyo, Japan, December 16–18, 2024, Proceedings. Springer, , 15449 (1) . pp. 58-70 . ISBN: 9789819612413ISSN: 0302-9743 (Print), 1611-3349 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-*******1242-0_5) NB Item availability restricted.

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Bertino, Elisa, Yuan, Dong, Dong, Zhao Yang (2023), A universally composable key exchange framework for operational technology communication protocols. IEEE. In: , , , 2023 IEEE International Conference on Communications, Control, and Computing Technologies for Smart Grids (SmartGridComm). IEEE, Piscataway, New Jersey . ISBN: 9781665455572ISSN: 2373-6836 (Print), 2474-2902 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/SmartGridComm57358.2023.10333944).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Dong, Zhao Yang (2023), SDAG: blockchain-enabled model for secure data awareness in smart grids. 2023 IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT) DOI: 10.1109/ISGT51731.2023 16-19 Jan. 2023. In: 2023 Innovative Smart Grid Technologies North America (ISGT NA), 16th - 19th January 2023, Washington, Washington DC, United States In: ISGT - IEEE Conference committee (ed.), Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT), 2023 IEEE. 16th - 19th January 2023. 2023 IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT) DOI: 10.1109/ISGT51731.2023 16-19 Jan. 2023, Piscataway, New Jersey (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 9781665453554; 9781665453561 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ISGT51731.2023.10066338).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Meng, Ke, Dong, Zhao Yang (2022), KEF: a Key Exchange Framework for operational technology security standards and guidelines. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: , , In: Kathy Heilman, Yihan Hou, Marjan Popov, Ron Melton (eds.), Thirteenth Conference on Innovative Smart Grid Technologies (ISGT 2022) is “Moving to a 3-D Energy Landscape: Decarbonized, Democratized, Decentralized”, sponsored by the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES). February 21 – 24, 2022. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ (1st) (doi: ).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Meng, Ke, Dong, Zhao Yang (2021), R-Chain: a universally composable relay resilience framework for smart grids. IEEE. In: , , In: Barbara Tynan, Delia Patterson, Lawrence Jones, Tom Weirich (eds.), 2021 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM). IEEE, Piscataway, USA . ISBN: 9781665446303ISSN: 1944-9925 (Print), 1944-9933 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PESGM46819.2021.9638015).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Bertino, Elisa, Dong, Zhao Yang (2021), Crypto-Chain: a relay resilience framework for smart vehicles. ACM. In: , , In: Daniel Faigin (ed.), ACSAC: Annual Computer Security Applications Conference. ACM, New York, USA . pp. 439-454 . ISBN: 9781450385794 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1145/3485832.3485920).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Meng, Ke, Dong, Zhao Yang (2021), SComm: a real-time mutually authenticated secure communication framework for smart grids. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2021 IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT), , In: IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ed.), 2021 IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT). Washington, 16-18 Feb. 2021. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 9781728188973 ; 9781728188980ISSN: 2167-9665 (Print), 2472-8152 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ISGT49243.2021.9372211).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Mens, Ke, Dong, Zhao Yang (2021), DIACS: A blockchain-based model for systematic data integrity assessment and control. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2021 IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT), , In: IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ed.), 2021 IEEE Power & Energy Society Innovative Smart Grid Technologies Conference (ISGT). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 9781728188973 ; 9781728188980ISSN: 2167-9665 (Print), 2472-8152 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ISGT49243.2021.9372235).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Meng, Ke, Dong, Zhao Yang (2020), Idenx: A Blockchain-based Identity Management System for Supply Chain Attacks Mitigation in Smart Grids. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2020 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), , , 2020 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 9781728155081 ; 9781728155098ISSN: 1944-9925 (Print), 1944-9933 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PESGM**************1929).

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Yeoh, Phee Lep, Qiu, Jing , Bao, Wei , Vucetic, Branka , Dong, Zhao Yang (2020), Cyra: A real-time risk-based security assessment framework for cyber attacks prevention in industrial control systems. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2019 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM), , In: IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (ed.), 2019 IEEE Power & Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 9781728119816 ; 9781728119823ISSN: 1944-9925 (Print), 1944-9933 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PESGM40551.2019.8973948) NB Item availability restricted.

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Bao, Wei, Yeoh, Phee Lep , Dong, Zhao Yang , Vucetic, Branka , Bertino, Elisa (2019), Xyreum: A high-performance and scalable blockchain for iiot security and privacy. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2019 IEEE 39th International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems (ICDCS), , In: ICDCS 2019 Program Committee, Dingzhu Du, Taieb Znati, Weili Wu, Xiaodong Zhang (eds.), Published in: 2019 IEEE 39th International Conference on Distributed Computing Systems (ICDCS). Dallas, 7-10 July 2019. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ . pp. 1920-1930 . ISBN: 9781728125190 ; 9781728125206ISSN: 1063-6927 (Print), 2575-8411 (Online) (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICDCS.2019.00190) NB Item availability restricted.

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Yeoh, Phee Lep, Bao, Wei , Chen, Shiping , Vucetic, Branka (2018), A lightweight security and privacy-enhancing key establishment for internet of things applications. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2018 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC), , , 2018 IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC). Kansas City, 20-24 May 2018. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ . pp. 1-6 . ISBN: 9781538631805 ; 9781538631812 1938-1883 (Online) (doi: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8422725) NB Item availability restricted.

Sani, Abubakar Sadiq , Yuan, Dong, Bao, Wei, Dong, Zhao Yang (2017), Towards secure energy internet communication scheme: An identity-based key bootstrapping protocol supporting unicast and multicast. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). In: 2017 IEEE 16th International Symposium on Network Computing and Applications (NCA), , In: IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Dimiter R. Avresky, Alfredo Goldman, Aris Gkoulalas-Divanis, Miguel Correia (eds.), 2017 IEEE 16th International Symposium on Network Computing and Applications (NCA). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Piscataway, NJ (1st) . pp. 1-5 . ISBN: 9781538614655 ; 9781538614648 ; 9781538614662 (doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/NCA.2017.8171328) NB Item availability restricted.

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