Adapting to Tomorrow's Threats: Cybersecurity in an Evolving Digital World

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Detailed Report: IEEE Expert Session on Cybersecurity & Research Publications

### Event Title:

From Threats to Theses: Bridging Cybersecurity and Research Excellence

### Date & Time:

26th July 2025 (Saturday), 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM IST

### Venue:

A-018, Campus-25, KIIT University

### Faculty In-Charge:

Prof. Niranjan Ray, IEEE Faculty Coordinator – KIIT Student Branch

### Organizers:

IEEE Consumer Technology Society & IEEE Computer Society – KIIT Student Branch Chapter

### Number of Participants:

70+ enthusiastic students from various branches

### Objective of the Event:

The primary aim of this event was to spread awareness among students about the diverse opportunities IEEE offers in the domains of Cybersecurity and Academic Research. The session was specially designed to introduce students to the foundational aspects of **research paper writing, the **IEEE publishing process, and the **importance of cybersecurity certifications. It also focused on how these domains are interlinked with career growth, resume enhancement, and higher education opportunities.

The event was also intended to inspire students to become IEEE members, by making them aware of its global network, prestigious publication standards, student competitions, technical societies, and the value it brings to one’s academic and professional journey.

### Guest Speaker Profile:

The session was graced by the esteemed Dr. Deepak Puthal, an internationally acclaimed academic and researcher.

* He holds fellowships including FHEA and FIETE.
* Currently affiliated with Aberystwyth University, UK, he is also an **IEEE Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Awardee.
* With extensive contributions in the field of IoT, Cybersecurity, Distributed Systems, and **Cloud Computing, Dr. Puthal brought deep insights drawn from both academia and industry.

His presence added immense value and authenticity to the session, making it a rich learning experience for all attendees.

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### Event Flow and Highlights:

The session commenced promptly at 10:00 AM with an opening address by Prof. Niranjan Ray, who welcomed the guest and briefly introduced the purpose of the session. He emphasized the importance of IEEE in nurturing young technologists and the potential benefits of early engagement in research and cybersecurity initiatives.

Dr. Deepak Puthal then took the stage, beginning his talk by addressing the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital age. He highlighted key global trends, such as:

* Increasing cyber threats and vulnerabilities in cloud-based systems.
* The importance of Zero Trust Architecture.
* Role of ethical hacking and cybersecurity audits in preventing data breaches.

He explained how IEEE not only keeps pace with these developments but also actively shapes the future of digital security through standards, publications, and technical communities. The discussion covered current tools and frameworks used in cybersecurity research and real-world use cases to illustrate emerging threats and solutions.

Transitioning into the research domain, Dr. Puthal spoke about the **structure of research papers, elaborating on:

* How to choose the right research topic.
* Understanding different types of research publications (journals, conference papers, short communications, etc.).
* The IEEE peer-review process.
* Common mistakes to avoid during writing and submission.
* Ethical considerations such as plagiarism and citation norms.

He also demystified the concept of impact factor, **Scopus indexing, and explained how students, even at the undergraduate level, can start contributing to research under proper mentorship and guidance.

One of the key takeaways was his explanation of how IEEE publications and cybersecurity credentials can significantly enhance one’s resume, increase the chances of landing **international internships, and support **applications to higher education institutions, especially in the U.S. and Europe. He shared examples of students who benefitted from IEEE-backed research experiences and went on to work at top firms or study at prestigious universities.

Towards the end, Dr. Puthal held a Q\&A session, where students asked thoughtful questions ranging from research paper submission timelines to choosing the right cybersecurity certification and how to reach out to mentors or co-authors for research collaboration.
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### Student Engagement and Participation:

The session saw active engagement from over 70 participants, with multiple students staying back after the session to interact further with the guest speaker. The audience primarily included pre-final and final-year students who showed keen interest in exploring research and cybersecurity as future career avenues.

Participants appreciated the speaker’s clarity, real-world examples, and practical guidance. Many expressed enthusiasm to **become IEEE student members after understanding its benefits in-depth.

### Event Outcome:

The session successfully met its objectives and delivered the following key outcomes:

* Students gained a clear understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals, the current digital threat landscape, and IEEE’s role in addressing global security challenges.
* They were introduced to the IEEE publication ecosystem, learning how to draft, format, and submit research papers across various journals and conferences.
* The event helped debunk myths that research is only for postgraduates, making students realize they can start early.
* Increased awareness about IEEE membership and how it can support academic, professional, and technical growth.
* Participants became motivated to attend future IEEE conferences, competitions, and workshops.
* Several students shared intentions to start or join research projects and seek mentors from within the IEEE community.

### Conclusion:

The session "From Threats to Theses" turned out to be a transformational experience for many attendees. It empowered students with knowledge, awareness, and motivation to explore two powerful areas Cybersecurity and Research Publications and highlighted how IEEE acts as a global enabler of both.
Through the expert insights of Dr. Deepak Puthal and the support of faculty like Prof. Niranjan Ray, the event solidified KIIT IEEE Student Branch's reputation for organizing meaningful, student-centric, and future-oriented technical events.
Such initiatives play a pivotal role in building a technically aware, research-driven student community and reaffirm the institution’s commitment to innovation, learning, and excellence.

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The session was organized to:

Create awareness about the opportunities available through IEEE in both cybersecurity and academic research.

Encourage students to participate in conferences, publish papers, and leverage IEEE resources for career growth.

Motivate students to join IEEE and benefit from its vast global network, certifications, and publication platforms.

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Explore two dynamic domains of IEEE in one powerful session: Cybersecurity & Research Publications. Understand how IEEE advances global cybersecurity initiatives while also guiding students in publishing impactful academic research.

Discover key cybersecurity concepts and learn how to publish research with IEEE. A perfect session for students passionate about digital safety and innovation.

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