Research Overview

My research area is focused on the use of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) for a range of new networking services, with a particular emphasis on the benefits to security, monitoring and media distribution.

The application of SDN for security builds upon my previous work in developing lightweight intrusion detection mechanisms and security monitoring for Wireless Mesh Networks. In particular, recent research considers new approaches to security detection and remediation that have been made possible through the introduction of Software Defined Networking. My current work investigates how the combination of multi-stage monitoring techniques alongside SDN allows for the dynamic provisioning of resources in response to evolving monitoring conditions. Notably, our work in this area has led to the TENNISON framework which has recently been published and released as open-source software for the benefit of the security community.

I am the principal investigator of NG-CDI, an EPSRC/BT funded Prosperity Partnership. I am also the principal investigator at Lancaster of AI4ME, an EPSRC/BBC funded Prosperity Partnership and MANY. Previously I was the principal investigator at Lancaster of the 5GRIT, INITIATE, MPAT, FI-CONTENT2, STEER, GN3plus, Fed4FIRE, OFELIA and P2P-Next EU projects.

Current Teaching

SCC365: Advanced Networking

Career Details

Academic Qualifications:

Doctor of Philosophy, Lancaster (2000)

1st Class B.Sc. Hons in Computer Science, Lancaster (1996)

Employment:

Associate Dean for Research, Faculty of Science & Technology, Lancaster University, 2020 - present

Professor, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, 2017 - present

Reader in Networking, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, 2015 - 2017

Senior Lecturer, School of Computing and Communications, Lancaster University, 2008 - 2015

Lecturer, Computing Department & ISS, Lancaster University, 2003 - 2008

Research Lecturer, Computing Department, Lancaster University, 2001 - 2003

Research Assistant, Computing Department, Lancaster University, 2000 - 2001

Professional Role

Editorial board member of Computer Communications

Programme Co-Chair of DE2013: Open Digital

PC Member of key conferences in my field: ACM Multimedia, Multimedia Systems (MMSys), EWSDN

PhD Supervision Interests

Software Defined Networks (SDN), Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV), Network Orchestration, Network Monitoring, Network Security, Fog / Edge Computing, P4.