Welcome

I am Professor of Computer Science at the University of Münster. I also hold a part-time appointment at the University of Twente.

I work in computer networks and security. My research interests revolve around understanding and improving security on the Internet, taking an empirical approach. At the moment, I work on

  • Global-scale measurement of Internet service deployments and their security
  • Empirical analysis of security technology
  • Implications for policy and governance of technology

I view my work through the lens of real-world implications. The tech is not always what matters—it’s the embedding in our world that makes it meaningful. Hence, I work with other disciplines and industry alike to make the Internet a safer, more secure, and altogether more interesting and useful place.

News

  • 31 January 2025: Joint PhD Workshop with the University of Twente
  • December 2024: Updated my teaching.

Bio

Before joining the University of Münster as full professor, I was an Associate Professor at the University of Twente in the Netherlands. Before that, I was a Lecturer and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney in Australia. Until 2016, I was a Researcher at NICTA (later Data61), also in Sydney, where I worked on network security and was part of the Security Business Team. I hold a PhD from Technical University of Munich. I did both my post-grad and under-grad studies at Eberhard Karls University, Tuebingen, one of Germany’s classic universities.

Selected publications

All publications

Advising

Prospective PhD students

I generally hire only at the University of Münster, but every now and then I may have an opening in Twente as well. PhD positions at the University of Münster and at the University of Twente are generally fully funded and part of a research project. I advertise these positions publicly, but you can also write me an email to find out if there are any vacancies at the moment.

Before you that, please read the take the time to find out what I like to work on. I do not reply to inquiries that don’t make such an effort. Prospective PhD students must have a strong background in either computer security or networks. I expect that incoming PhD students can articulate clearly why they want to work in a particular research area and have some research experience, e.g., from a Master thesis.

I currently work with the following PhD students:

  • Gerrit Seifert (University of Münster)
  • Nils Kempen (University of Münster)
  • Gustavo Luvizotto (University of Twente)
  • Bulut Ulukapi (University of Twente)
  • Shyam Krishna Khadka (University of Twente)
  • Matteo Liberato (University of Twente)
  • Sousan Tarahomi (University of Twente)
  • Niousha Nazemi (University of Sydney)

Bachelor and Master students

I generally have a range of topics in the area of Internet measurement and network security. Please contact me if you are interested in doing a thesis with me. Please note: I do not offer Bachelor theses at the University of Twente.

Teaching

For the current list of course offerings, please see my website at the University of Münster.

In general, I teach a selection from the following in the winter term:

  • Empirical Security Analysis & Engineering (MSc, in English, co-taught in Münster and Twente)
  • Ringvorlesung Netzwerke und Sicherheit (BSc, in German)
  • Projektseminar Developing Tools for Empirical Internet Measurement (BSc and MSc, in German)
  • Seminar Empirische Forschung in Computernetzwerken (MSc, in German)

In the summer term, I usually teach a selection from the following:

  • Vorlesung Computernetzwerke (BSc and MSc, in German)
  • Network and System Security (MSc, in English)
  • Seminar Empirische Forschung in Computernetzwerken (MSc, in English)

I also offer a Graduates’ Seminar (Oberseminar) year-round, which includes a PhD workshop with the University of Twente.

Contact

  • +49 251 83 38 447
    • Einsteinstr. 62, 48149 Münster, Germany