Dr Shahzad is an Assistant Professor and cybersecurity specialist with expertise in critical infrastructure and space system resilience. He graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy with a focus on threat pattern recognition and alert systems, later earning a postgraduate degree in Finance from the University of Oxford (St Hugh’s) and a PhD from UNSW Canberra on the cyber resilience of complex space systems.
He currently leads a federal cybersecurity team delivering critical national projects. Originally from Canberra, Dr Shahzad spent many years in the UK, where he held roles with the Ministry of Defence and Metropolitan Police. He has advised government agencies and the financial sector across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East on securing digital infrastructure.
This presentation introduces a novel framework for cyber resilience in space infrastructure, addressing the growing vulnerability of satellites, ground stations, and communication links. Drawing on structured interviews with space system designers, it identifies critical gaps in current legal and technical governance. The research proposes an integrated strategy that aligns cybersecurity practices with evolving legal standards, offering a pragmatic path forward to protect essential space assets in a rapidly shifting threat landscape.
