Fulbright Scholar driving global cybersecurity initiatives with CERIAS at Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A world-renowned cybersecurity expert and Fulbright Scholar is using his time at Purdue University to advance worldwide cybersecurity in collaboration with CERIAS, Purdue’s Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security.
Ali Al-Haj, professor of cybersecurity and computer engineering at Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) in Jordan, is ranked among the top 2% of cited researchers globally. While at Purdue for the 2024-25 academic year, he is working to bridge gaps between academia and industry, foster international collaboration, and increase the depth and breadth of multidisciplinary approaches to cybersecurity.
“Cybersecurity is far more than technology. It’s multidisciplinary. It’s about policy, governance, ethics and human behavior. Without those dimensions, even the best technical defenses can fail,” Al-Haj said. “I aim to learn from Purdue’s global leadership in cybersecurity while offering insights from my experience building one of the first cybersecurity programs in Jordan.”
During his time at Purdue, Al-Haj said he wants to advance research on cybersecurity policy and governance, develop workforce education strategies, and lay the groundwork for the future Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Jordan.
Al-Haj’s journey to Purdue is personal as well as professional. His connection to the U.S. dates back to his time as a foreign exchange student in Ohio in the 1980s. “The bonds I built back then opened doors that eventually led me to Purdue through the Fulbright Program,” he said. “This collaboration is part of a broader vision to strengthen ties between PSUT and Purdue, including opportunities for student exchanges and collaborative projects.”
By engaging with CERIAS faculty and Purdue Policy Research Institute staff, Al-Haj is exploring societal and legal aspects of cybersecurity, including privacy, ethics and digital trust.
“Dr. Al-Haj exemplifies the Fulbright spirit, blending cultural exchange with academic excellence,” said Joel Rasmus, CERIAS managing director. “His work is helping Purdue and PSUT achieve a greater global impact. Our early interactions have already contributed to Purdue University’s CERIAS, in collaboration with the Purdue Applied Research Institute, establishing a cybersecurity academy for Jordanian college students.”
The future Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Jordan will integrate research, workforce development and industry collaboration, targeting critical infrastructure security and interdisciplinary education. “My goal is to create pathways for Jordanian students to pursue advanced studies and contribute to the global cybersecurity community. Networking at Purdue helps me open those doors,” Al-Haj said.
Al-Haj will present some of his findings Feb. 26 as part of the weekly series of CERIAS Security Seminars. His talk is scheduled for 4:30-5:20 p.m. and will be available via Zoom. He also will be a speaker for the 26th annual CERIAS Cybersecurity Symposium, April 1-2 on the West Lafayette campus, before he returns to Jordan in June 2025.
About CERIAS
Purdue is annually ranked as a top 10 U.S. university for cybersecurity education and is the top-ranked U.S. university for cybersecurity research. CERIAS is a stand-alone institute that fosters cybersecurity collaboration and coordination across eight of Purdue’s colleges and 20 academic departments. Purdue serves as an unbiased resource to the worldwide cybersecurity community.
About Purdue University
Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 107,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 58,000 at our main campus in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 13 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its comprehensive urban expansion, the Mitch Daniels School of Business, Purdue Computes and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
Media contact: Amy Raley, araley@purdue.edu