Dr. Deepthi Ratnayake is a Principal Lecturer in Computer Science (Cyber Security and Network), within the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science (PECS) She has nearly 30 years of experience in industry, defence and  academia in the lines of cyber security, networking, and information systems management. She is a research active academic that enjoys cross-discipline collaborations and teamwork. 

Researchers and PhD research students who are interested in exploring following areas to further develop the research to the next levels of novel methods and strategies are welcome;  Network-based Intruder Detection Systems (NIDS). Host Based Intruder Detection Systems (HIDS). Application of Big Data Analytics Technologies for Intruder Detection. Cyber-Physical-system (CPS) based intrusion detection systems (includes robots and unmanned/self-driving vehicles) in are welcome. Please get in touch via [email protected].

Deepthi is a member of the Algorithms Research Group and the Cyber Security Center (CSC) at the University of Hertfordshire,  and an Associate editor of Information Security Journal: A Global Perspective.

Deepthi’s PhD was in Probe Request Attack Detection in Wireless LANs using Intelligent Techniques. Her scholarly, pedagogy and practice interests are in Intruder detection and prevention using intelligent techniques, security in cloud computing, cryptography, security in humanoids, cloud based cyber security teaching, problem-based learning (PBL), authentic assessments (AA) in cyber security, and online/distance learning and teaching. She has delivered several academic and professional talks and published in refereed national/international conferences as well as authoring journal articles of high impact.

Deepthi is a member of Network and Security Subject teaching group at University of Hertfordshire.  Her current responsibilities as a Senior Lecturer includes, leading/lecturing and tutoring modules including Advanced Research topics, Cyber Security, Security Management & Compliance, and Network Security and Operating Systems, and supervising UG/PG final projects and research students.

She is also the programme leader of online MSc programmes and the BCS Accreditation Liaison officer for on campus MSc programmes.

Deepthi has served in several British universities and has been a member of a flying faculty to Sultanate of Oman to teach Cyber Security. She has developed, delivered and assessed many accredited UG/PG modules, including systems/cyber/network/computer security, penetration testing, ethical hacking, cyber operations, digital forensics, computer ethics, security practices, security management, computer networking, and cloud computing. She has also contributed to other computer science mainstream modules and supervised related UG/PG final projects.

Further, she has contributed to development of several broad, innovative and stimulating UG/PG programmes and actively participated in the process of HE quality processes, curriculum review, development and validation for British Universities, Pearson HE and Ministry of Education of Sultanate of Oman.

Deepthi has a special interest in enhancing student’s learning experience. She understands and sympathise with the educational needs of her students, and she always seek to inspire and engage them into active engagement and deep learning.

Deepthi has developed several collaborative projects that attract external funding and/or bring together respective parties, academics and students to achieve knowledge exchange objectives.  

Deepthi is an office bearer of Information Security Specialist Group of British Computer Society (BCS-ISSG) and promote bridging the gap between business needs and cyber security education and cyber-crime prevention within the group. She has organised many collaborative events that included participation of university academics & students, professional bodies, industry and government including BCS, HEA CREST, FALCON/NCA and DCMS. She currently lead the BCS-ISSG’s Early career agenda through monthly run BCS-ISSG’s Cyber Security Early Career Professionals from around the world webinar series.

Deepthi also contributes to the wider Computing profession through her researched write-ups on major Cyber Security incidents issues and lessons learned as the Cyber Security columnist of BCS ITNow quarterly magazine.

Deepthi is a natural team player with effective soft skills and enjoy working with diverse community groups. She has co-ordinated a large benevolent project of a defence service which she was responsible for co-ordinating their wellbeing projects and attract logistical and financial support from national and international donors to families of the defence service and society at large. In the recent past she has severed in several charity projects including a large-scale donation of ambulatory products through the International Lion’s Club of London Central.