Muhammad Erza Aminanto
Cybersecurity
Bringing real cybersecurity practice into the classroom
Erza teaches students how to apply AI, data, and security principles to solve practical problems in today’s digital landscape.
What do you teach?
I teach a mix of technical and non‑technical units, from blockchain, cyber operations, and applied data analytics to IT Project Management and IT Professional Practice.
What qualifications or professional experiences are most central to your work as an academic?
I completed my PhD at KAIST in South Korea, specialising in AI for cybersecurity. I later worked as a postdoctoral researcher at NICT in Tokyo, focusing on AI for detecting novel cyberattacks. I also spent more than two years as a data scientist at Jakarta Smart City and continue to advise local governments and industries on digital transformation, smart cities, and cybersecurity.
What are you doing differently in your field that you believe is driving real change?
I centre my teaching on each student’s interests and learning needs. Some students are drawn to theory, others to hands-on practice - so I tailor my approach to help them connect their curiosity with meaningful academic pathways. By integrating real industry experience into the classroom, I make learning more relevant, inclusive, and aligned with the skills they’ll need to make real change in the future.
Building expertise isn’t about being the smartest person in the room — it’s about resilience. ”
Tell us about a specific moment when you saw a student transform. What happened, and what role did you play?
I once taught a student who felt unsure about managing an IT project because they had no prior experience. In our project management unit, students work through hands-on sprint simulations that mirror real industry processes. Step by step, I guided this student through planning, execution, and iteration. Over time, their confidence grew and by the end of the course, they were leading team discussions, making decisions clearly, and managing complex tasks with ease. Watching that shift was incredibly rewarding.
What's something about Monash University, Indonesia that would surprise people in a good way?
Learning at Monash University, Indonesia goes far beyond lectures. Students engage through applied tasks, interactive sessions, and case studies that reflect real professional challenges. The learning experience draws from both Indonesian and global contexts - especially Australia helping students think critically, act professionally, and prepare for worldly careers.
What industry partnerships, research collaborations, or real‑world projects are you and your students currently involved in?
Evaluating AI and Privacy Policies in Indonesia
In collaboration with Telkom University and the Ministry of Education, we developed a context‑sensitive CI‑PDP framework to analyse how well large language models interpret Indonesian privacy policies. This work was published at ACM CCS, one of the world’s leading security conferences.
Advancing Explainable AI for Intrusion Detection
Working with researchers from NICT Japan and universities in Taiwan, we developed explainable AI methods to improve transparency in intrusion detection systems. This project won Best Paper at ICISC 2024 in Seoul and reflects our commitment to applied, globally relevant cybersecurity research.
What's one thing you're working on right now that doesn't fit the traditional "academic" mould?
I'm experimenting with flipped learning, where students explore core concepts before class and we use our time together for discussion, problem solving, and reflection. I also integrate real‑world case studies into almost every session, so students learn through applied scenarios rather than purely theoretical lectures. This approach encourages them to actively connect academic knowledge with professional practice.
If you had to explain your research’s impact and/or teaching philosophy to a prospective student's parents over coffee, what would you say?
I'd explain that my work is about ensuring advanced technology is used responsibly and meaningfully. My research focuses on applied AI in cybersecurity, not just building models, but making sure these systems can explain their decisions and be trusted in real‑world settings. In the classroom, I want students to understand both the power and the responsibility that comes with working in technology.
What achievement, qualification, or milestone in your academic or professional journey are you most proud of, and why?
One milestone I’m especially proud of is publishing my work in IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, one of the top journals in the field. The paper has been cited more than 250 times, which is meaningful to me because it shows the research continues to influence and support other scholars and practitioners in cybersecurity.
What advice would you give a student who hopes to build a similar career or level of expertise?
Building expertise isn’t about being the smartest person in the room, it's about resilience. Challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty are part of the journey. I strongly believe in the Monash motto ancora imparo "I am still learning." Staying humble, curious, and open to continuous learning is essential, because growth comes from persistence, reflection, and the willingness to learn every day.