Cyber Security & Forensics Research Group (CSFRG)

Research Group - Cyber Security & Forensics Research Group (CSFRG)

CSFRG research group Leader/Group Head: Associate Professor (Dr) Sheeba Armoogum

One of the Collaborators: Harel Mallac Technologies (HMT)

In the year 2021, I created the Cybersecurity & Forensics Research Group (CSFRG) at the University of Mauritius. One of the objectives of the CSFRG research group is to build a state-of-the-art Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensics Lab at the University of Mauritius. I am currently working on the formation of the lab. This lab will be an opening for many researchers and students from the University of Mauritius to conduct their cybersecurity and digital forensic investigation research and also bring innovative solutions for existing cyber crimes and potential future crimes. 

Vision: The vision of the CSFRG is to produce exclusive and significant research output and make a substantial contribution to Mauritius's readiness and response to Cybersecurity risks and threats.

Aim: The CSFRG aims to:

• blend the expertise in education, research, and practice in the field of cyber security, cyber forensics, and privacy.

• collaborate with International Cybersecurity organisations. 

• collaborate with cybersecurity and cyber forensics researchers, government organisations, and industry partners to combat cyber threats at the national level.

• perform innovative, relevant, and impactful research that solves the Cyber security problems and hence protects the information assets and generates substantial outcomes to help society and proliferate the economy.

• proliferate cybersecurity awareness by knowledge sensitisation.

Context: Cybercrime violates the individual's privacy and security of their data and is escalating worldwide at a rapid pace. Cyberspace constitutes sensitive data, health information, personal information, intellectual property, governmental information, business information, and many others. Cybercriminals utilise the full spectrum of intrusion techniques to exploit the network to steal this information.  Cybersecurity plays an important role to protect the data and the system from theft and damage using strong cryptographic controls. With fast-evolving cyberattacks and rapid growth of devices, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning can help to keep alongside cybercriminals, spot cyber threats and possibly malicious activities, and respond more effectively than conventional software-driven or manual techniques. Artificial Intelligence methods will be beneficial for training to detect malware, pattern recognition, and suspected behaviours of malware or ransomware attacks before it enters the system.

The group will undertake basic and applied cybersecurity research, providing core competencies and leadership in support of cybersecurity activities. The CSFRG group aims to span from research and consultancy to outreach, training, and knowledge transfer. 

The group will focus research on the following areas:

1. Awareness programs on Cybersecurity for the Mauritian community

2. Cyber Ethics & Cybercrime

3. Cyber Defence or Counter Measures

4. National Security & Cyber Policies

5. CyberPsychology 

6. Human factors and cyber risk 

7.     Physical Data Acquisition Methods

8.     Drone Technologies

9.  AI & Cyber Forensics

CyberSecurity & Forensics Research Group (CSFRG) Members:

CSFRG Research Group Leader/ Group Head: Associate Professor (Dr) Sheeba Armoogum, Associate Professor, University of Mauritius 

University of Mauritius Academic Members

1. Dr Avinash Mungur, Senior Lecturer, University of Mauritius

2. Associate Professor (Dr) Baby Gobin-Rahimbux, Associate Professor, University of Mauritius

International Members

1. Professor Kevin Warwick, Emeritus Professor at Coventry University and University of Reading, UK

2. Professor Haywantee Ramkissoon, Full Professor, University of Derby, England

3. Nicole Holmes-Goessens, Scopely, California, United States 

4. Nina Bual, Cyberlite Books PVT LTD, Singapure

5. Michelle Yao, Cyberlite Books PVT LTD, Singapure

University of Mauritius Students (Level 2) from the programme Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations with Emphasis in Defense/Forensics

1. Ms Loveina Moodhoo, Mauritius

2. Ms Urvashee Marday, Mauritius

3. Ms Vanusha Kaully, Mauritius

4. Ms Manishaa Rani Toolooa, Mauritius

5. Mr Syed Altaaf Mahomathoo Ghaboos, Mauritius

6. Ms Lakshana Appadoo, Mauritius

Associate Members from Industry and other bodies:

1. Mr Peter Neubert, Senior Manager Business Solutions, Harel Mallac Technologies Ltd.

2. Mr Azyad Ahmad, Territory Manager: Indian Ocean Islands, Check Point Software Technologies.

3. Mr Vyankoj Mulloo, Officer in Charge, National Computer Board, Mauritius

4. Mr Krishna Radhakeesoon, Partner-Cybersecurity @BDO IT Consulting Ltd., Mauritius

5. Mr Mario Layduhur, CEO/Partner @ITSec Ltd.- BDO Mauritius 

6. Mr Hervin Meetoo, Manager @ITSec Ltd.- BDO Mauritius

7. Mr Pravesh Gaonjur, General Manager, Tylers-Information Security Experts, 

8. Mr Lavanya-Nehan Degambur, Lecturer, AMITY Higher Education Mauritius

9. Mr Kavi Ramchurn, Mauritius Police Force

10. Mr Hurrychurn Thakoor, Mauritius Police Force

11. Ms Deepshikha Meetoo, Senior Associate 2, PwC UK