Dr Ismeil Ahamed

Academic qualifications

PhD Data Driven Security in Internet of Things (IoT), MSc Forensics Computing and Ethical Hacking, BSc Network and Mobile Computing

Email

iahamed@ucb.ac.uk

"Before becoming a lecturer, I worked as a BT Network Engineer, as an IT Support Engineer at Fujitsu, and as a Digital Forensic Investigator, where I conducted detailed investigations for criminal and civil cases."

My expertise spans across programming and data analysis (Python, Java, C#), cybersecurity,
digital forensics, and data-driven Internet of Things (IoT) security, and I have extensive experience lecturing both at QA Higher Education and Coventry University. As part of my role at UCB, I’m responsible for leading the design, review, and enhancement of curriculum content to align with academic standards, industry best practices, and emerging trends in cybersecurity and computing. I’m passionate about designing and updating curriculum materials, incorporating the latest academic research and industry trends.

My professional journey includes roles as an IT Support Engineer at Fujitsu and BT Network Engineer, where I designed resilient networks protected against malware and evolving cyber threats, maintained firewalls, and continually enhanced IT infrastructure and security protocols. Previously I also worked as a Digital Forensic Investigator, conducting detailed investigations for criminal and civil cases using industry-standard tools such as EnCase, FTK, and Cellebrite UFED, ensuring meticulous evidence handling and collaboration with law enforcement and legal teams.

Male coding on a computer with a female in the background looking at her computer.

In my classroom, I’m committed to establishing an inclusive and engaging learning environment that equips students with the knowledge and practical skills that they will need in the workplace. In my lessons, I often refer to my diverse professional experience to provide students with hands-on, industry-relevant learning. By fostering strong employer relationships, I also help to provide valuable internship opportunities for my students.

I’m a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) and a member of respected professional bodies including the British Computer Society and the IntaForensics community, and I bring a rich blend of academic qualifications and industry certifications such as the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Certificate in Systems & Networking (CCSN), and Encase Forensics Suites expertise.

My work has been widely published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, with contributions including cutting-edge work on detecting DDoS attacks in IoT and smart home networks. My dedication to continual professional development, alongside my personal interests in advanced cybersecurity, digital forensics, cloud computing, and educational technologies, ensures that my practice remains current and impactful.

A core part of my teaching philosophy is dismantling common misconceptions about computer science, such as the idea that it’s all about coding. In fact, the industry is more about problem-solving skills, algorithmic thinking, cybersecurity, and AI. My advice to students is to always be on time, participate actively, and communicate with lecturers as openly as possible.

Outside of work, I enjoy reading, following technology news and documentaries, and nurturing my leadership skills. A quote from Benjamin Franklin I find particularly powerful that I apply to my teaching is: “Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn”.