Dr. Joseph Ikhalia (PhD)

Star of the week

June 2022 Week 4

Dr. Joseph Ikhalia (PhD)

Leading Authority in Cyberspace

PGS: Dr. Joseph, welcome to today’s interview with Lady Anita.

DJI: Thank you Lady Anita for the opportunity.

PGS: Please briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

DJI: DJI: I have spent the last ten years working in cybersecurity across various sectors like healthcare, blockchain, e-gaming, education, and managed IT services.

At the start of my career,

I developed one of the world’s first two-factor authenticated social networks - “Sleeky” - using an innovative random number generator system.

During my doctoral research, I created the world’s first social network security awareness platform - “social network criminal” and won the award for innovation in Computer Science at Brunel University.

One of the highlights of my career was being a candidate for a UK government cybersecurity program – HutZero, designed for people with innovative cybersecurity ideas connecting me with some of the brightest minds in cybersecurity.

Currently, I work as a Senior Cyber Security Engineer for Riela Cyber – a managed security service provider based in the Isle of Man.

PGS: Thank you for honouring us with your presence at the recently concluded Powerhouse Global Leadership event – we got a bit of your teachings on cyber safety – thank you!

DJI: The pleasure was mine, to be honest. You have built a reputation over the years for attracting quality people to your events, and it’s hard to turn down such an opportunity to connect and share with people of excellence from various sectors worldwide.

PGS: Let us talk about ‘cyber security’ and how it affects all of us. As an expert in the filed (cyber security), what are the keys to online safety, and how can we use them to safeguard ourselves and businesses?

DJI: The foundational element of online security is a zero-trust security model, especially when dealing with access controls. A vital aspect of secure access control is implementing multi-factor authentication for all registered accounts online. Multi-factor authentication consists of something you know (a secret code), something you have (a smartcard or token), or something you are (biometric fingerprints or facial identity). Multi-factor authentication is relatively effective in protecting yourself against brute-force and credential harvesting attacks.

I have discovered that most people don’t know much about the importance of session cookies (for example, browser cookies) regarding online security. Websites use cookies to provide a better browsing experience and store your login credentials.

Cybercriminals have crafted various phishing techniques to steal session cookies from unsuspecting users. It is a good security practice to delete your cookies; by clearing your browsing data regularly or using a virtual private network to secure your browsing activities and surf the web anonymously.

Pseudonymity as an online safety mechanism is underestimated, quite often. It allows online users to adopt a consistent identifier to protect against identity theft and reduce the impact of a massive data breach on a public platform. For example, you don’t need to register your legal name on every online platform; it’s a security risk. A pseudo-identity can protect highly confidential data and enhance privacy. Although some platforms require individuals to use their real names, most online public forums and communities don’t have such requirements.

PGS: What is your message for world leaders?

DJI:

World leaders have one important duty – to lead by example. World leaders have one primary duty – to lead by example. For far too long, the world has endured the burden of dictatorship from developed and developing nations to the detriment of innovation and economic prosperity.

In recent times, I see neo-dictators masking as leaders who play the role of managers. They struggle to micro-manage their subordinates and lose sight of the bigger picture. Management is defined as efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall. World leaders need to show their capability in fulfilling the expectations they have of their followers; it’s called leading by example.

PGS: In one of your articles, you used the following phrase: “It’s a cyber jungle out there, and nobody wants to be the low hanging fruit fly.” Please further explain this phrase…

DJI: Haha, I remember this statement. It simply means no one wants to be an easy target for the malicious traps prepared by cybercriminals. A low hanging fruit fly can easily fall victim to social engineering attacks like phishing (malicious emails), smishing (malicious texts) or vishing (malicious voice messages).

PGS: We are all enjoying a little bit of ‘freedom’ after covid-19. In your capacity as a leader, what would you suggest we all do to prevent such event (global shut down) from happening again?

DJI: Objectively learn from the past. There have been pandemics in previous years, such as the Spanish Flu, and we ought to have developed a tested playbook for managing such events without hurting the global economy. Although I am not a health specialist, I believe the socio-political issues that stifled the actual science-driven discussions around Covid-19 were distractions that led to mass paranoia even amongst leaders.

PGS: Finally, what would you say to your younger self?

DJI: Be humble, find a mentor and learn as much as you can. I would tell the younger Joseph that a Jack of all trades is a master of none but often better than a Master of one.

PGS: Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us through this interview. We wish you continues success as you travel in life.

DJI: Thank you Lady Anita for the opportunity to share with your audience.

PGS: Please share your website/links with us.

DJI: You can visit my website – josephikhalia.com and also follow me on twitter @realcyberdoctor