Research projects

Cybersecurity Capacity Maturity Model (CMM)

Project lead: Carsten Rudolf

This collaboration with University Oxford's GCSCC uses the CMM to assess up to 15 nations in the Pacific region. To date, reviews have been completed for Samoa and Tonga. Based on the data collected in focus group discussions within these regions, research on nation-level cybersecurity capacity complements the project. This collaboration can be adapted to a number of organisations and large-scale enterprises.

Designing for data confidentiality and resilience

Project lead: Carsten Rudolf and Joseph Liu

This project has two main research strands that contribute to the improvement of security and resilience in advanced infrastructures, such as the Internet of Things (IoT):

1. Protection of Data Confidentiality and Computation on Encrypted Domain on Data Collected by IoT Devices
2. Designing for Resilience and Security Automation

Privacy-preserving Data Processing on the Cloud

Project lead: Ron Steinfeld and Joseph Liu

Addressing the current lack of privacy of user data processed by common cloud computing web servers (including email, data and confidential files), this project aims to develop new techniques in cryptography.

The anticipated outcome is a suite of practical tools enabling common cloud computing processing operations – such as search, statistical analysis and multi-user access control – to be performed efficiently while preserving privacy.

These tools offer significant privacy benefits to cloud users, as well as financial and reputational benefits to the IT industry. They will significantly reduce the likelihood of massive user data privacy breaches in the event of a cyberattack.

It is expected that these tools will be integrated into innovative commercial IT cybersecurity products developed by Australian startup companies, leading to more jobs and improved productivity.

Secure Data Stores for cryptocurrency Ethereum Operating System (EOS)

Project lead: Joseph Liu

This project will develop a secure data store for cryptocurrency EOS. Blockchain startups and companies that require a decentralised data store with security features will benefit from this research.

Secure Relational Database Management System (SRDBMS)

Project lead: Joseph Liu, Ron Steinfeld, Amin Sakzad and Xingliang Yuan

Cryptographic protection on a database is a strong form of data protection in addition to the network security approach (i.e. firewall, middle-box). To enhance the security of the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS), we focus on the cryptographic algorithm development within the RDBMS. Relevant to a wide range of targeted users from SMEs to large enterprises – all of which require databases to store customer information.

Collinstar Blockchain Research Lab

Project lead: Joseph Liu, Ron Steinfeld, Amin Sakzad and Xingliang Yuan

This joint lab develops advanced blockchain technologies including privacy-preserving algorithms and consensus mechanisms for private and public blockchain systems.

Biometric Cryptosystems for Security and Privacy Protection

Project lead: Jin Zhe and Joseph Liu

This project is to develop a new biometric cryptosystem that can resolve critical problems in state-of-the-art biometric cryptosystems.