Aisha Ali Gombe, an accomplished academician and researcher, is a notable figure in the field of computer science and engineering. She is an associate professor in the Division of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE), at Louisiana State University. She earned her Ph.D. in Engineering and Applied Science with a major in Computer Science and concentration in Information Assurance from the University of New Orleans (UNO) in 2017, following an M.S. degree in Computer Science in 2012. She also holds an MBA from Bayero University Kano and a B.Sc. from the University of Abuja, Nigeria, in 2005, and was a recipient of the TotalFinaElf undergraduate merit scholarship in 2002.
Dr. Ali-Gombe is currently the director of the LSU Cybersecurity Clinic (LCC) and the founder of the System Security (SySec) Lab. She holds a joint faculty position at LSU's Center for Computation and Technology. Her expertise and research interests are in cybersecurity and digital forensics with a specific focus on malware and threat detection, cybercrime investigation, privacy policy enforcement, access control, and intrusion detection.
She has authored and co-authored more than 40 publications, some of which have been featured in top-rated cybersecurity and digital forensics journals and conferences such as NDSS, RAID, DFRWS, ACM's ACSAC, WiSec, and CODASPY, the Journal of Computer and Security (COSE), Digital Investigations and the proceedings of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) amongst others.
She’s won the FCSM research excellence award at Towson University, best paper awards at DRFWS (a top-tier digital forensics conference in the U.S.) in 2021 and 2022, and an outstanding poster award at CODASPY 2016 amongst others.
Aisha hails from Gombe state in northeastern Nigeria. Her father, the late Alhaji Ali Gombe was an influential figure in Nigeria with a vast reputation for excellence.
Aisha Ali Gombe Research Interests
Dr. Aisha Ali-Gombe’s intellectual curiosity has led her to focus her research on crucial areas within computer science. Her interests encompass cybersecurity, user privacy, and digital forensics.
In an era marked by escalating cyber threats and vulnerabilities, her commitment to enhancing system security and protecting user data is evident through her extensive body of work.
Also, as an educator, Dr. Ali Gombe’s influence extends to the classroom. She imparts her knowledge and expertise through teaching courses such as CSC 4103: Operating Systems and CSC 4630: Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis. These courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of fundamental concepts and cutting-edge techniques in the field.
Selected Publications of Aisha Ali Gombe
Dr. Ali Gombe’s contributions to the academic community are evident through her substantial list of publications. Noteworthy among these are:
- “Sterilized Persistence Vectors (SPVs): Defense Through Deception on Windows Systems” – A collaborative work with Nicholas Phillips, presented at the Seventh International Conference on Cyber-Technologies and Cyber-Systems (CYBER 2022).
- “Memory Analysis of .NET and .Net Core Applications” – Co-authored with Modhuparna Manna and others, recognized as the Best Paper at DFRWS 2022.
- “Transforming Memory Image to Sound Wave Signals for an Effective IoT Fingerprinting” – A collaborative effort presented at the ACM Conference on Data and Application Security and Privacy (CODASPY 2022).
- “Seance: Divination of tool-breaking changes in forensically important binaries” – Co-authored and published in Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation (DFRWS 2021).
- “App-Agnostic Post-Execution Semantic Analysis of Android In-Memory Forensics Artifacts” – Presented at the Annual Computer Security Applications Conference (ACSAC 2020).
Awards and Honors of Aisha Ali Gombe
Dr. Aisha Ali Gombe's contributions have garnered significant recognition. Notable accolades include the DFRWS Best Paper Award in 2021 and 2022.
Also, the FCSM Excellence in Scholarship Award in 2021, and the DFRWS Best Student Paper Award in 2018. Additionally, the ACM CODASPY Outstanding Poster Award in 2016. These honors underscore her standing as a distinguished scholar.
Aisha Ali Gombe as Director of LSU Cybersecurity Clinic
Aisha Ali Gombe’s impact transcends academia, as she assumed the role of the director of LSU’s Cybersecurity Clinic (LCC). This responsibility is bolstered by a grant of $1.5 million from the United States National Security Agency NSA.
It aims to establish a pilot Cybersecurity Clinic. The clinic’s objective is to safeguard small businesses vulnerable to cyberattacks. This showcases Ali Gombe’s commitment to real-world applications of her expertise.
Aisha Ali-Gombe’s illustrious career is marked by numerous achievements and accolades. Her groundbreaking research in the field of cybersecurity has contributed significantly to advancing our understanding of digital threats and their mitigation. As a respected educator, she has been instrumental in shaping the minds of future cybersecurity professionals, instilling in them a strong sense of ethical responsibility and critical thinking.
Beyond her academic endeavors, Ali-Gombe is a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusivity in the cybersecurity industry. Recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in combating cyber threats, she actively promotes the involvement of underrepresented groups, particularly women and minorities, in cybersecurity education and careers. Through mentorship and outreach programs, she seeks to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity leaders and bridge the gender gap in the field.
Aisha Ali-Gombe’s appointment as Director of the Cybersecurity Clinic at LSU was not only a testament to her exceptional skills but also a recognition of her commitment to driving positive change in the cybersecurity landscape. With her visionary leadership and substantial support from the NSA, the Cybersecurity Clinic became a hub of excellence, transforming small businesses into resilient entities capable of withstanding the relentless wave of cyber threats.
