Security
Trusted Computing, Secure Updates, Vulnerability Analysis
system online · secure session established
Ahmad B. Usman
- Linköping, Sweden
- Email: abusman@disroot.org · Work Email: ahmad.usman@liu.se
- Work Phone: +46 13 281321
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Cybersecurity researcher building trustworthy systems through remote attestation, secure software updates, and vulnerability analysis.
About Me
I am a PhD candidate in Computer Science with a focus on Cybersecurity at Linköping University. My work focuses on trusted computing, secure software updates, and vulnerability analysis for computing systems, with outcomes published in peer-reviewed venues. Alongside research, I bring hands-on security practice (CEH, Security+), teaching and supervision experience, and practical development of web applications. I am pursuing my PhD under the supervision of Mikael Asplund.
Programming
C, C++, Python, SQL, Java, JavaScript
Languages
English (Fluent), Arabic (Fluent), Swedish (Intermediate)
Experience
Linköping University - Research Assistant (Cybersecurity)
Dec 2021 - Present · Linköping, Sweden
- Research on trusted computing, secure software updates, and vulnerability analysis.
- Build prototypes and documentation supporting peer-reviewed publications.
- Communicate results through manuscripts, reports, and presentations.
HWG s.r.l - Cyber Security Specialist
Sep 2021 - Nov 2021 · Verona, Italy
- Supported security management activities and operations.
- Contributed to standards implementation and risk identification.
SPRITZ - Research Assistant
Sep 2020 - Jul 2021 · Padua, Italy
- Researched ICS security integrating IT/OT, and ML-based detection/monitoring use cases.
- Assisted experimentation, evaluation, and publication preparation.
Education
Licentiate in Computer Science - Linköping University (LiU)
Dec 2021 - Oct 2025 · Sweden
Thesis: Trustworthy Software States through Attestation and Secure Updates
Thesis linkMSc in ICT for Internet and Multimedia - University of Padua (UNIPD)
Oct 2019 - Jul 2021 · Italy
CyberSystems track, GPA: 110/110
Thesis: Industrial Control Systems Security and Privacy analysis in Industry 4.0
Supervised by Prof. Mauro Conti
Thesis linkBSc in Information Technology - University of Science and Technology (UST)
Oct 2013 - Sep 2017 · Sudan
GPA: 3.78/4
Certifications
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) - EC-Council (Dec 2017)
- CompTIA Security+ - CompTIA (Sep 2017)
- CCNA Security - Cisco (Aug 2017)
- CCNA Routing and Switching - Cisco (Sep 2015)
Publications
SUIT: Security of Update-related IoT Traffic
A. B. Usman, E. Süren, M. Asplund · 2026
Under review, Conference
Understanding security risks in update mechanisms of computing systems
A. B. Usman, M. Asplund ·June 2026
Computers & Security
Bridging remote attestation and secure software updates in embedded systems
A. B. Usman, Z. Afzal, M. Asplund · Feb 2026
International Journal of Information Security
On the Inconsistency of Update-Related Vulnerabilities
A. B. Usman · Jul 2025
International Symposium on Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance (HAISA)
Update at Your Own Risk: Analysis and Recommendations for Update-related Vulnerabilities
A. B. Usman, M. Asplund · May 2025
IFIP International Conference on ICT Systems Security and Privacy Protection (IFIP-SEC)
Remote Attestation with Software Updates in Embedded Systems
A. B. Usman, M. Asplund · Oct 2024
IEEE Conference on Communications and Network Security (CNS) 2024 - Cyber Resilience Workshop
Remote Attestation Assurance Arguments for Trusted Execution Environments
A. B. Usman, N. Cole, M. Asplund, F. Boeira, C. Vestlund · Apr 2023
3rd ACM Workshop on Secure and Trustworthy Cyber-physical Systems (Sat-CPS@CODASPY)
Teaching & Supervision
Teaching Assistant - Università degli Studi di Padova
2019 - 2021 · Padua, Veneto, Italy
- Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science (LFCS) using Java programming language.
Teaching Assistant / Lab Assistant - Linköping University
2021 - 2026 · Linköping, Sweden
Master's / Bachelor's Supervision - Linköping University
2021 - 2026
Master's thesis
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From Past to Present - A Historical Analysis of Vulnerability Trends in Microsoft Software
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Automated Static Code Analysis with Large Language Models as part of the Continuous Integration Pipeline for Core Keeper bug detection
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Geometry-Aware & Lightweight UWB Positioning for Vehicle Applications
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Cyberattack Evaluation of Cloud-controlled Energy Storage
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Telemetry for Debugging Software Issues in Privacy-sensitive Systems
Bachelor thesis
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Perceived versus Actual Security in Web Applications: A Comparative Analysis of Human-Developed and Large Language Model (LLM)-Generated Applications
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KaffeKuriren: A Peer-to-Peer Delivery System for Campus Valla at Linköping University
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LiU Marketplace - A Digital Marketplace For Students, By Students
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ShareWheels: Private car renting
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Early Automated Risk Assessment of CVE Descriptions
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Qit - A Web-Based Sign-Up Application
Security Feed
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Contact
Work Email: ahmad.usman@liu.se
Work Phone: +46 13 281321
Personal Email: abusman@disroot.org