UNB Research

In April 2022, the University of New Brunswick (UNB) and Mastercard announced a new partnership to advance cybersecurity research and training opportunities in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector. Mastercard’s $1.75 million in financial support enabled a number of activities, including scholarships, the creation of a research lab and establishing the Mastercard IoT Research Chair.

Dr. Sajjad Dadkhah started as the newest chair in January 2025. We spoke with him about his story, his research and why securing IoT devices is important for our collective futures.

Who are you?

I’m Sajjad Dadkhah, and I am an assistant professor at UNB and a research and development team lead at UNB’s Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity (CIC).

My research background is in cybersecurity, AI-driven security solutions, natural language processing, social media analysis and intrusion detection systems, with a strong focus on protecting infrastructure from evolving cyber threats.

I earned my PhD in computer security from the University Teknologi Malaysia, Malaysia. My research there was an incredible journey—it wasn’t just about exploring security concepts but pushing boundaries. My work led me to being awarded a patent, developing partnerships with industry and winning gold and bronze medals in national and international competitions.

The core of my doctoral research focused on developing an algorithm capable of detecting even the smallest alterations to digital images that are invisible to the naked eye. Not only can this algorithm detect alterations, but it can also recover most of the original damaged or tampered image, making it a groundbreaking contribution in the field of digital forensics and multimedia security. This work caught the attention of several companies, reinforcing my drive to continue in cybersecurity.

That passion led me to Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan, where I joined professor Mario Köppen’s lab, diving deeper into AI-driven security algorithms and IoT security challenges. It was here that I further honed my expertise in machine learning applications for cybersecurity, particularly in intrusion detection systems and anomaly detection in connected environments.

I first came to UNB in 2019 as a postdoctoral fellow at the CIC under the supervision of Dr. Ali Ghorbani, and I have been deeply involved in cybersecurity research since.

What kind of research have you been doing at UNB?

Since my arrival, I have worked extensively on securing AI and deep learning models. I have also led multiple projects in areas including IoT security, Internet of Vehicles (IoV) security, healthcare IoT security and critical infrastructure security.

IoT devices are growing at a rapid pace, and one of the biggest challenges in securing them is understanding device behavior—what role a device plays in a network, how it interacts with others and how to detect when something is off. That’s exactly what we have been working on: developing intelligent, AI-driven behavioral monitoring systems that can detect and respond to anomalies in IoT environments.

Tell us about your chair.

I am honored to continue this exciting collaboration with Mastercard as the Mastercard IoT Research Chair. Building on the strong foundation Dr. Rongxing Lu established during his tenure, and by all the work at the CIC, my goal is to drive cutting-edge research in cybersecurity, focusing on real-world challenges that impact Canadians and the global digital ecosystem. Ultimately, I want to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation to help build a more secure digital world.

Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and this partnership with Mastercard provides a unique opportunity to innovate, collaborate and develop forward-thinking solutions that will have a lasting impact on both industry and society.

In my role, I will be working closely with academic researchers, researchers at Mastercard and industry partners to address some of today’s most pressing cybersecurity threats. Our work will focus on:

• Securing the Internet of Things (IoT): Developing robust security frameworks to protect connected devices in critical sectors, including finance, healthcare and smart infrastructure.
• Advancing phishing detection techniques: Leveraging AI and behavioral analytics to combat increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks that target users and organizations.
• Enhancing user identity verification on financial platforms: Creating stronger authentication and fraud detection mechanisms to safeguard transactions and prevent identity-based cybercrime.
• Developing practical, deployable security solutions: Moving beyond theoretical research to create real-world applications that organizations can implement to strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
• Training the next generation of cybersecurity experts: Equipping students and professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to address tomorrow’s cybersecurity challenges, ensuring that Canada remains at the forefront of cyber defense innovation.

Why is this research important?

This research will have far-reaching benefits across multiple sectors, enhancing the security and resilience of IoT-based systems for governments, industries and individuals alike.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, government agencies and infrastructure providers will need advanced threat detection mechanisms to help secure essential services such as energy grids, healthcare systems and transportation networks.

Industries will similarly benefit from innovative cybersecurity frameworks designed to protect against data breaches, fraud and identity theft, ensuring more secure digital interactions and safer transactions. With a focus on developing cost-effective, scalable solutions, we will be able to support industries of all sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

For everyday users, our research will help increase personal data protection and foster greater trust in the security of their smart home devices, wearable technology, or online activities like digital banking.

This research will also contribute to Canada’s cybersecurity ecosystem by equipping students, researchers and professionals with the knowledge and training opportunities they need to help ensure the country remains at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. Ultimately, this work will help create a safer, more resilient digital landscape.

What does this chair mean to you?

Cybersecurity is not just a field of work—it’s a commitment to protecting the digital world we rely on every day, and the Mastercard IoT Research Chair is an opportunity to drive real, impactful change in cybersecurity. Being at the forefront of this work is both an honor and a responsibility.

It is also incredibly rewarding to be able to work with industry leaders, researchers and students, developing solutions that strengthen cybersecurity nationally and globally.

More information

Dr. Sajjad Dadkhah| Canadian Institute for Cybersecurity | Faculty of Computer Science

Research at UNB | Graduate Studies at UNB | Postdoctoral fellowships