Dr. Ala Al-Areqi is a Lecturer in Cyber Security and Behaviour at Western Sydney University (WSU), School of Social Sciences, and an Affiliate Cybersecurity Researcher at the Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research (SWERI). His work sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and human behaviour, with a strong emphasis on translating research into practical solutions for industry and society.

 

Dr. Al-Areqi completed his PhD in Information Security at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia after earning both his Master of Information Technology (Information Security) and Bachelor of Computer Science. Over the past decade, he has built an international academic career spanning Malaysia, Afghanistan, Qatar, and Australia.

 

Prior to joining WSU in 2024, he held several senior academic leadership positions at the American University of Afghanistan, including Dean of Faculty, Chair of the Science, Technology and Mathematics Division, and Associate Professor of Information Technology. During this period, he led curriculum development, academic quality assurance, international accreditation activities, research initiatives, and strategic partnerships while supporting higher education under exceptionally challenging circumstances.

 

At Western Sydney University, Dr. Al-Areqi teaches across cybersecurity and digital investigations programs and coordinates both community-engaged and industry placement subjects. He has designed authentic learning experiences that integrate cyber range simulations, threat intelligence, digital forensics, governance, risk and compliance, and interdisciplinary teamwork. His teaching philosophy emphasises experiential learning, industry engagement, and preparing graduates with both technical capability and professional skills.

 

His research interests include AI-assisted cyber defence, cyber threat intelligence, digital forensics, human-centred cybersecurity, IoT and critical infrastructure security, healthcare cybersecurity, privacy-preserving machine learning, and cybersecurity education. He has authored publications in leading journals and conferences published by Springer Nature, IEEE, and Wiley, and has secured competitive research funding supporting projects in healthcare cybersecurity, AI-driven security analytics, and cybersecurity education.

 

Beyond research and teaching, Dr. Al-Areqi is committed to widening participation in cybersecurity education. He has led international capacity-building initiatives, including cybersecurity programs for women in conflict-affected regions, mentors early-career researchers and students, and promotes pathways that connect education, research, and industry. His work reflects a strong commitment to equity, digital inclusion, and using cybersecurity as a means to improve resilience for communities locally and internationally.