Dr. Ankur Chattopadhyay

Director, Center for Information Security
Assistant Professor
Northern Kentucky University

Biography

Dr. Ankur Chattopadhyay is currently an Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity in the School of Computing & Analytics (SCA) within the College of Informatics (COI) at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). He is also the current Director of the NKU Center of Information Security within the NKU COI. He was the Program Director (PI) of the first ever NSA/NSF GenCyber program at NKU from 2021 to 2022. He has been a Research Faculty Fellow with the NKU Institute of Health Innovation. He has also served as the Program Coordinator of the NKU Bachelors in Cybersecurity major, and as the Faculty Advisor of the NKU Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) chapter. He has worked with the NSA/NSF as the PI/Program Director for multiple GenCyber program grant awards since 2017. Ankur teaches cybersecurity classes, like Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Risk Management, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels within the NKU SCA.

Ankur earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). He joined NKU in January 2020, and his research interests include visual privacy, authentication trust, cybersecurity & CS education, privacy-enhancing & inclusive visual surveillance, online healthcare information assurance, trustworthy AI, and psybersecurity. He loves working with undergraduate and graduate students, as well as involving them in his research and teaching projects. He is also the undergraduate teaching assistantship (TA) program coordinator within the NKU SCA. He is an Editorial Board Member with the IEEE Future Directions Newsletter in Technology, Policy and Ethics. He is an active professional member of IEEE and ACM. He has over 35 peer-reviewed publications, including conference papers, newsletter articles and journal papers. He has more than 15 years of work experience in both academics and industry.

Ankur is originally from Kolkata, India, where he did his Bachelors in Computer Engineering from the Institute of Engineering & Management (IEM), and was employed with Tata Consultancy Services, a global computer consultancy firm, for almost 7 years. Before joining NKU, he was an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay (UWGB), where he founded and directed the Center of Cybersecurity Education & Outreach. He was the principal investigator (PI) and the project director of the first-ever NSA/NSF GenCyber program in the state of Wisconsin at UWGB, where he has led and hosted the GenCyber program for three years. He has also worked with Google and Microsoft as the PI/project lead for the Google IgniteCS and Microsoft TechSpark grant programs at UWGB. As a scholar and educator, his passion is investigation of interdisciplinary cybersecurity research questions, and innovation of computer science & cybersecurity education. His industry profile includes multiple roles like IT Analyst, Software Engineer, and Embedded Systems Engineer.

Research

Dr. Ankur Chattopadhyay currently has 25 peer reviewed publications after joining Northern Kentucky University and 24 peer reviewed publications prior to joining Northern Kentucky University.

Peer Reviewed Publications After Joining Northern Kentucky University:

Peer Reviewed Journal/Book Chapter Publications
Ankur Chattopadhyay, and Nahom Beyene, "A Survey Study of Psybersecurity: An Emerging Topic and Research Area.", Advances in Information and Communication. FICC 2023. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 652. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023 [Conference Paper Published As A Springer Book Chapter]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Meghyn Winslow and Momoka Kinder, "Publication link Can OneUp Gamified Challenges Boost Undergrad Student Motivation Plus Engagement and and Supplement Learning in An Online Introductory Cybersecurity Course?.", Journal of Computing Sciences In Colleges., 37, 4 (October 2021), 73–74 in the Proceedings of the Mid Western Conference of The Consortium of Computing Sciences in Colleges (CCSC Mid West), October - 2021. [Published As An Extended Research Abstract]

Peer Reviewed Journal/Book Chapter Publications

Ankur Chattopadhyay, and Nahom Beyene, "A Survey Study of Psybersecurity: An Emerging Topic and Research Area.", Advances in Information and Communication. FICC 2023. Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems, vol 652. Springer Nature Switzerland, 2023 [Conference Paper Published As A Springer Book Chapter]

Ankur Chattopadhyay, Meghyn Winslow and Momoka Kinder, "Publication link Can OneUp Gamified Challenges Boost Undergrad Student Motivation Plus Engagement and and Supplement Learning in An Online Introductory Cybersecurity Course?.", Journal of Computing Sciences In Colleges., 37, 4 (October 2021), 73–74 in the Proceedings of the Mid Western Conference of The Consortium of Computing Sciences in Colleges (CCSC Mid West), October - 2021. [Published As An Extended Research Abstract]

Research Paper Publications (Conference Publications)
Ankur Chattopadhyay, and Zackary Luedtke, "Publication linkTowards A Unique Online Healthcare Information (OHI) Recommender: A Preliminary Case Study.", 2023 11th International Symposium on Digital Forensics and Security (ISDFS)., Chattanooga, TN, USA, 2023, pp. 1-8 [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Thuong Ho, and Nahom Beyene, "A W3H2 Analysis of Security and Privacy Issues in Telemedicine: A Survey Study.", In Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Southeast Conference (ACMSE 2023). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, 47–55, https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3564746.3587109. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, N. Beyene and S. Rana, "Analyzing Multimodal Datasets for Detecting Online COVID Misinformation: A Preliminary Survey Study.", 2023 IEEE 13th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC)., Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2023, pp. 0147-0153, doi: 10.1109/CCWC57344.2023.10099147. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, and Isha Rijal, “Towards Inclusive Privacy Consenting for GDPR Compliance in Visual Surveillance: A Survey Study.”, IEEE 13th Annual Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference (CCWC)., Las Vegas, NV, USA, 2023. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, D. Ryan, and J. Pockrandt, "Scaffolded Live Coding: A Hybrid Pedagogical Approach for Enhanced Teaching of Coding Skills,."IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference. (FIE), pp. 1-9. IEEE, 2022. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Tyler Poe, H. Nguyen, Abel Tsegaye, and L. Moua. "Covert Eye Op App: An Offense Based Learning Approach Towards Developing Mobile Security Awareness and Interest in Cybersecurity.", 23rd Annual Conference on Information Technology Education. (ACM SIGITE), pp. 29-36. 2022. [Full Paper]
Valdemar Švábenský, Richard Weiss, Jack Cook, Jan Vykopal, Pavel Čeleda, Jens Mache, Radoslav Chudovský and Ankur Chattopadhyay, “Evaluating Two Approaches to Assessing Student Progress in. Cybersecurity Exercises.”, in the Proceedings of 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. (ACM SIGCSE 2022), March 2022. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Chase Maschinot and Laura Nestor, "Mirror Mirror on the Wall - What Are Cybersecurity Educational Games Offering Overall: A Research Study and Gap Analysis.", in the Proceedings of the IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October - 2021. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Robert Ruska and Levi Pfantz, "Determining the Robustness of Privacy Enhancing DeID Against the ReID Adversary: An Experimental Study.", In the Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security., August 2021 [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Abdikadar Ali and Danielle Thaxton, "Assessing the Alignment of Social Robots with Trustworthy AI Design Guidelines: A Preliminary Research Study.", In Proceedings of the Eleventh ACM Conference on Data and Application Security (ACM CODASPY), April 2021. [Work-In-Progress Paper presented as a poster - won the Best Research Poster award]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Mohammad Azhar, Thomas Everson and Robert Ruska, "Integrated Cybersecurity Plus Robotics Lesson Using NAO.", In the Proceedings of the 21st Annual ACM Conference on Information Technology Education (ACM SIGITE), October 2020. [Full Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Jordan Sommer and Robert Ruska, "Inclusive Privacy Consenting for GDPR Compliance in Public Video Surveillance.", In the Proceedings of the Workshop On Inclusive Privacy & Security (WIPS), USENIX Symposium On Usable Privacy & Security (USENIX SOUPS)., August 2020. [Work-In-Progress Workshop Paper]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Kevin Grondahl and Mohammad Azhar, "Program Cozmo to Enhance CS0/CS1 Learning of Secure Coding.", In the Proceedings of 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (ACM SIGCSE), March 2020. [Extended Abstract Article]

Peer Reviewed Conference Presentation With Published Abstract
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Kevin Grondahl and Sherry Verdon, "Making Undergrad Research Required at the CS Freshmen Level as an Equity-Minded HIP.", In the Proceedings of 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (ACM SIGCSE), March 2020. [Published As Lightning Talk Abstract]

Peer Reviewed Conference Sessions / Panels Hosted With Published Abstracts
Richard Weiss, Jens Mache, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Blair Taylor, Siddharth Kaza, Ankur Chattopadhyay and Ambareen Siraj, "Integrating Hands-on Cybersecurity Exercises into the Curriculum in 2021.", In the Proceedings of 52nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (ACM SIGCSE), March 2021. [Published As Birds of Feather (BoF) Session Abstract]
Richard Weiss, Xenia Mountrouidou, Stacey Watson, Jens Mache, Elizabeth Hawthorne, and Ankur Chattopadhyay, "Cybersecurity Across All Disciplines in 2020.", In the Proceedings of 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (ACM SIGCSE), March 2020. [Published As Birds of Feather (BoF) Session Abstract]

Peer Reviewed Magazine / Newsletter Articles Published
Ankur Chattopadhyay and Carlee Franklin, "Psybersecurity: A New Emerging Topic and Research Area Within Human Security.", In The IEEE Future Directions in Technology Policy & Ethics Newsletter. - March & May 2021 Issues, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9778146 and https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9778095. [IEEE Digital Library Publications Under IEEE Magazines Category]
Ankur Chattopadhyay, Jordan Sommer and Robert Ruska, "Inclusive Privacy Consenting in Public Video Surveillance and Future Directions.", In IEEE Future Directions in Technology Policy & Ethics Newsletter. - Sept 2020 Issue, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9778087. [IEEE Digital Library Publication Under IEEE Magazines Category]
Ankur Chattopadhyay and Cameron Collins, "Current Trends and Future Directions in Security of FPGA Applications with Focus on Thin Clients.", IEEE Future Directions in Technology Policy & Ethics Newsletter. - March 2020 Issue, https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/9778173. [IEEE Digital Library Publication Under IEEE Magazines Category]

Other Peer Reviewed Scholarly Work Abstract Publications
Tyler Poe and Ankur Chattopadhyay, "Covert Eye Op App: An Offense Based Learning Approach Towards Developing Mobile Security Awareness and Interest in Cybersecurity". 2023 Posters At The Capitol Event, Northern Kentucky University \| 2023 - Posters-at-the-Capitol (murraystate.edu).
Nahom Beyene and Ankur Chattopadhyay, "A Survey Study of Psybersecurity: An Emerging Topic and Research Area.", 2023 Posters At The Capitol Event, Northern Kentucky University \| 2023 Posters-at-the-Capitol (murraystate.edu).
Abdikadar Ali, Danielle Thaxton, and Ankur Chattopadhyay, "Assessing the Alignment of Social Robots with Trustworthy AI Design Guidelines: A Preliminary Research Study". 2022 Posters At The Capitol, Northern Kentucky University \| 2023 Posters-at-the-Capitol (murraystate.edu).
Ankur Chattopadhyay, "Using Social Robots To Innovate Secure Coding Education", In The 2020 Innovations in Cybersecurity Education Book. - National Cyber Watch Center. [Published As Extended Abstract]

Peer Reviewed Publications Prior Joining Northern Kentucky University:

Peer Reviewed Journal and Thesis Publications
A. Chattopadhyay, M. Schulz, K. Turkiewicz, and E. Hughes, ‘A Novel Visual Recognition-based Authentication Model Using A Hybrid Trust Theme to Verify Provider Profiles for Enhancing Information Assurance in Online Healthcare.’, IEEE BioSTAR Edition 2018, Journal of Cyber Security and Mobility. [Full Article]
A. Chattopadhyay, "Beware of input buffer misbehavior and make your code behave: A nifty assignment on secure coding at CS0/CS1 levels.", Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges., 30 (4), 118 - 118, 2015 [Published As An Extended Research Abstract]
A. Chattopadhyay, "Developing an Innovative Framework for Design and Analysis of Privacy Enhancing Video Surveillance.", University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2016. 10112535 [Published As Doctoral Dissertation Thesis]

Research Paper Publications
A. Chattopadhyay, D. Christian, A. Oeder and I. Budul, "A Novel Visual-Privacy Themed Experiential- Learning Tool for Human-Privacy & Societal-Security Awareness in Middle-School and High-School Youth.", 2019 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)., Covington, KY, USA, 2019, pp. 1-9 [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay, K. Grondahl, J. Ruckel and T. Everson, "Secure Coding and Ethical Hacking Workshops with NAO for Engaging K-12 Female Students in CS.", 2019 Research on Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT)., Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2019, pp. 1-2 [Extended Abstract Article]
A. Chattopadhyay, R. Hart, E. Quigley and S. Petty, "A BERO CLF Themed Nifty Middle-School Module: Teach Functional Programming Using Music and Generate Interest in Coding and Robotics",. In Proceedings. of the ACM SIGITE Conference 2018., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay, D. Christian and A. Ulman, "A Middle-School Case Study: Piloting A Novel Visual Privacy Themed Module for Teaching Societal and Human Security Topics Using Social Media Apps",. In The Proceedings of The IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference - FIE 2018., San Jose, CA, USA [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay and B. Chindaphone, "A Nifty Inter-Class Peer Learning Model for Enhancing Student-Centered Computing Education, and for Generating Student Interests in Co-Curricular Professional Development",. Published in The Proceedings. of IEEE Frontiers in Education - FIE 2018., San Jose, CA, USA [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay, A. Dryer, and N. Walia , "A Middle-School Module for Introducing Data-Mining, Big-Data, Ethics and Privacy Using RapidMiner and a Hollywood. Theme"., In The Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education - SIGCSE 2018., Baltimore, MD, USA [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay and B. Frisque, "Conducting a Social Constructivist Epistemology for Students of Computing Disciplines",. In The Proceedings of IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference 2017., Indianapolis, USA [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay, M. Schulz, C. Rettler, K. Turkiewicz, L. Fernandez and A. Ziganshin, "Towards a Biometric Authentication-based Hybrid Trust-computing Approach for Verification of Provider Profiles in Online Healthcare Information"., Second International Workshop on Bio-inspired Security, Trust, Assurance and Resilience (BioSTAR 2017)., 38th IEEE Symposium On Security & Privacy, San Jose, CA, USA. [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay and G. Sellman, "Developing the cellbot learning framework (CLF) - An interdisciplinary model for integrating mobile computing with robotics to innovate STEM education and outreach.", 2013 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)., Oklahoma City, OK, USA, 2013, pp. 1290-1292, doi: 10.1109/FIE.2013.6685039 [Full Paper]
A. Chattopadhyay and T. E. Boult, "PrivacyCam: a Privacy Preserving Camera Using uCLinux on the Blackfin DSP.", 2007 IEEE Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition., Minneapolis, MN, USA, 2007, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1109/CVPR.2007.383413 [Full Paper]

Peer Reviewed Conference Research Presentations With Published Abstracts
A. Chattopadhyay, D. Christian, A. Ulman and S. Petty, ‘Towards A Novel Visual Privacy Themed Educational Tool for Cybersecurity Awareness and K-12 Outreach.’, In The Proceedings of the ACM SIGITE Conference 2018., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA [Published As Research Poster Abstract]
A. Chattopadhyay, E. Quigley and S. Petty, ‘A GenCyber Camp Case-Study: Teaching Defensive Programming at The Pre-University Level Using A Novel Data-Tampering Theme-Based Nifty Module’, In The Proceedings of the 22nd Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education. - CISSE 2018, New Orleans, USA
A. Chattopadhyay, M. Neis, and V. Cefalu, ‘Developing a Unique Android App-driven Nifty Middle-School Educational Module on Mobile Security for Driving Basic Information Security Awareness and Generating Interests in Cybersecurity.’, In Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education - SIGCSE 2018., Baltimore, MD, USA [Published As Research Poster Abstract]
A. Chattopadhyay and B. Frisque, ‘Can We Conduct A Social Construction Based Epistemology for CS1 and CS2 Students?.’, In The Proceedings of the 48th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE 2017)., Seattle, USA [Published As Research Poster Abstract]
A. Chattopadhyay and C. Patek, ‘Can Undergraduate Computing Research Be Student-Driven?.’, In 48th ACM Technical Symposium on CS Education (SIGCSE 2017)., Seattle, USA [Published As Research Poster Abstract]
A. Chattopadhyay and Thomas Nehring, ‘PVA (Privacy through Visual Anonymity) Lab for Enhancing CS Education & Outreach.’, ACM Technical Symposium on CS Education (SIGCSE 2014.), Atlanta, USA [Published As Research Poster Abstract]

Peer Reviewed Conference Session / Panel Hosted With Published Abstract
Richard Weiss, Jens Mache, Blair Taylor, Siddharth Kaza and Ankur Chattopadhyay, "Discussion of Integrating Hands-on Cybersecurity Exercises into the Curriculum in 2019.", In the Proceedings of 50th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (ACM SIGCSE), March 2019. [Published As Birds of Feather (BoF) Session Abstract]