Maruf Farhan
Lecturer in Computer Science & Cybersecurity
In Brief
- Lecturer, Computer Science & Cybersecurity, Ulster University QAHE London, Jan 2025–Present (Problem Solving & Programming).
- Lecturer, Cybersecurity & Computer Science Level 4, Coventry University London, Jun 2024–Present (Information Security; Network Security; Problem Solving & Programming; Operating Systems; Cryptography).
- Visiting Tutor, Computer Science & Cybersecurity, University of Sussex ISC, Sep 2024–Present (Professional Computing; Algorithms & Data Structures).
- Visiting Lecturer, Cybersecurity, University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus, Apr 2024 (Level 4 – Ethical Hacking).
- Computer Science Tutor, Barking Abbey Secondary School, 2023 (Problem Solving & Programming).
- Research Associate, Dept. of Engineering & Computer, Northumbria University, Jan–Oct 2023.
- IT Instructor, CompTIA A+ & Security+, New Horizon Bangladesh, Feb–Aug 2022.
- IT Support Officer, Dream Ss Real Estate Ltd, Feb 2021–Jan 2022.
- Sr. Security Support Specialist (Malware), Concentrix (Kaspersky Lab Project), Feb 2016–Feb 2020.
Biography
Maruf Farhan is an experienced and passionate educator, technologist, and cybersecurity professional with a dynamic career journey that bridges business, IT support, cybersecurity, and academic instruction. His career began in 2001 when he enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at North South University (NSU), Bangladesh. However, his growing fascination with information technology led him to shift paths early in his academic journey and explore opportunities in the IT sector.
Maruf began his professional career as a Technical Support Engineer, where he developed strong problem-solving skills and technical proficiency. His dedication and analytical mindset earned him a promotion to the role of Malware Analyst, a position he held for several years until 2020. During this time, he not only gained in-depth knowledge of digital threats and system vulnerabilities but also pursued continuous professional development. He earned his Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification and began to deepen his knowledge of networking and cybersecurity.
The COVID-19 pandemic became a transformative period for Maruf. While continuing to work full-time, he expanded his technical expertise by studying programming and earning CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Security+ certifications. He also began exploring the emerging field of blockchain technology, driven by a curiosity for decentralized systems and digital trust.
In 2022, Maruf moved to the United Kingdom to pursue his MSc in Computer Science, which he completed with Distinction. His academic success in the UK opened doors to the education sector, where he found his passion for teaching and mentoring the next generation of technology professionals.
He began his academic career as a Computer Science Tutor at Barking Abbey Secondary School, where he introduced students to foundational programming and digital literacy. Building on this experience, he was appointed as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David London Campus, followed by academic appointments at CU London (Coventry University) and Ulster University London. In these roles, Maruf teaches undergraduate modules in Computer Science, Networking, Cybersecurity, Programming (Python), and Professional Skills.
Currently, Maruf holds concurrent academic positions at three UK institutions – Coventry University London, University of Sussex ISC, and Ulster University QAHE London – and serves as faculty at the Kingsley Institute of Management. With over two decades of industry and academic experience, he brings a unique perspective to teaching—one that combines real-world technical skills with a deep understanding of pedagogy. His interests lie at the intersection of cybersecurity, blockchain, and education, and he continues to pursue research and professional development in these domains.
Education
- AFHEA: Associate Fellowship in Higher Education Academy, Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Sussex (Feb 2025–Ongoing).
- MSc in Cybersecurity (Distinction): Northumbria University, 2022–2023. Thesis: Utilising Blockchain Technology to Detect Fake Products. Courses: networking; information governance; wireless security; ethical hacking; information risk management; research methodology.
- BBA in Marketing & MIS: North South University.
Skills
- Module Leadership: Proven experience leading and developing engaging curriculum for cybersecurity courses (e.g., Advanced Operating Systems, Ethical Hacking & Networking).
- Assessment Design & Feedback: Expertise in creating authentic assessments, providing detailed feedback, and maintaining consistent quality in evaluation processes.
- Teaching Delivery: Skilled in delivering captivating and interactive lectures in both face-to-face and online environments (Zoom, MS 365), utilizing diverse teaching methods to cater to different learning styles.
- Student Engagement: Passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, actively engaging students through various motivational strategies.
- Curriculum Development: Contributed to curriculum development and revision projects in industry contexts, ensuring alignment with current industry trends and employability needs.
- Programming Languages: Proficient in languages relevant to cybersecurity and IT, including Python and Solidity.
- Cybersecurity: Extensive knowledge of cybersecurity concepts, including ethical hacking, information security, risk management, and penetration testing. Network Scanning and pen-testing (Kali Linux) Tools: Aircrack-ng, Hydra, Maltego, Metasploit, Burp Suite, Nmap, Wireshark, Nessus, Acunetix Vulnerability Scanner.
- Research Experience: Collaborated on research projects, conducted experiments, analysed data, and published findings in reputable journals and conferences (IC ISS'23, International Journal of Electrical and Engineering).
- Leadership & Collaboration: Led the initiative to develop a research journal focused on cybersecurity in IoT and blockchain, showcasing leadership and collaborative skills.
- Excellent Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Proven ability to communicate effectively with students, colleagues, and academics, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Industry Experience: Extensive experience in the IT sector (6 years) provides valuable insights into industry trends and practical applications of knowledge.
Research Funding
- 12th International Conference on Advanced Computer Science and Information Technology (ICAIT 2023) – Registration Grant (£500).
- International Conference on Advances in Computing, Communication, Electrical, and Smart Systems (iCACCESS 2024) – Registration Grant (£400).
- The International Conference on Computer and Applications (IEEE/ICCA 2024, 6th Edition) – Registration Grant (£900).
Research & Publications
- Farhan, M., Sulaiman, R. B., & Nur, A. H. (2024). Blockchain: A Secure Solution for Identifying Counterfeits and Improving Supply Chain Reliability. 2024 Int. Conf. on Advances in Computing, Comm., Electrical, and Smart Systems (iCACCESS), Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/iCACCESS61735.2024.10499525
- Farhan, M., Nur, A. H., Salih, A., & Sulaiman, R. B. (2024). Disrupting the Ballot Box: Blockchain as a Catalyst for Innovation in Electoral Processes. iCACCESS 2024, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp. 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/iCACCESS61735.2024.10499541
- Farhan, M., Butt, U., Nur, A. H., Zaman, S., & Sulaiman, R. B. (2025). Blockchain-Based Railway Ticketing: Enhancing Security and Efficiency with QR Codes and Smart Contracts. Accepted for 4th Int. Conf. on Computing and Information Technology (ICCIT), to be published in IEEE Xplore.
- Zaman, S., Nur, A. H., Butt, U., Sulaiman, R. B., & Farhan, M. (2024). Comprehensive Forecasting of Smart Grid Stability Using Advanced Deep Learning and Machine Learning Models. Int. Conf. on Computer and Applications (ICCA), Cairo, Egypt, pp. 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCA62237.2024.10928074
- Zaman, S., Sulaiman, R. B., Nur, A. H., & Farhan, M. (2024). Comprehensive Skin Disease Identification Using Augmented Data and Transfer Learning: Achieving Optimal Accuracy with Sequential Models. IEEE ICCA 2024, Cairo, Egypt, Dec 2024. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCA62237.2024.10927843
- Farhan, M., Salih, A., & Butt, U. (2023). Enhancing Secure Access and Authorization in Healthcare IoT Through an Innovative Framework. 6th Int. Conf. on Information Science and Systems (ICISS '23), ACM, pp. 254–261. https://doi.org/10.1145/3625156.3625193
- Das, S. R., Salih, A., Sulaiman, R. B., & Farhan, M. (2024). Enhancing Lung Cancer Classification with MobileNetV3 and EfficientNetB7. ICCA 2024, Cairo, pp. 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCA62237.2024.10927970
- Farhan, M., & Sulaiman, R. B. (2023). Developing Blockchain Technology to Identify Counterfeit Items: Enhancing Supply Chain Effectiveness. FMDB Transactions on Sustainable Technoprise Letters, 1(3), 123–134. Link
- Farhan, M., & Abosata, N. (2023). Eavesdropping in Bluetooth Networks. Int. Journal of Computer Engineering and Technology, 13(2), 79–85. https://doi.org/10.14741/ijcet/v.13.2.5
- Farhan, M. (2024). Blockchain Technology with AI: The Impact on the Healthcare Sector. In Blockchain and AI, Taylor & Francis, pp. 23–57. Link
- Farhan, M., Sulaiman, R. B., & Nur, A. H. (2024). Blockchain Technology to Detect Fake Products. In Advances in Logistics, Operations, and Management Science, IGI Global, pp. 1–32. Link
Teaching & Mentoring
- Level 4 – Ethical Hacking: Pen testing, threat modelling, social engineering; labs with Kali & Wireshark.
- Level 4 – Information Security: CIA triad, risk management, access control.
- Level 4 – Network Security: Firewalls, IDS, VPNs, secure architectures.
- Level 4 – Problem Solving & Programming: Python fundamentals, algorithms.
- Level 4 – Operating Systems: Process/memory/file systems demos.
- Level 4 – Cryptography: Encryption, hashing, digital signatures.
- Level 4 – Professional Computing: Digital professionalism, academic writing, ethics.
- Level 3 – Algorithms & Data Structures: Sorting/searching, Python problem-solving.
- Level 4 – Cybersecurity: Threat types, security policies, digital forensics.
- Level 5 – Cybersecurity: Pen testing, secure development, cyber law.
- Level 7 – Information Technology: IT strategy, emerging tech, cloud, governance.
Maruf is known for interactive, hands-on sessions and mentoring students in academic writing, technical projects, and career readiness.
News & Media
Contact
- Email: marufrigan9@gmail.com
- Phone: +44 7442 93814
- Location: United Kingdom
- Google Scholar: 9RLzH9MAAAAJ
- ORCID: 0000-0002-9247-411X
- ResearchGate: Maruf-Farhan-Rigan
- GitHub: marufrigan
- LinkedIn: maruf-farhan-6086a122
- Medium: @marufrigan9
- YouTube (Ed & Coding): UCa67sZObDwyLt-Z1wq6HHQg
- YouTube (Secondary): UCgRHuKezcz2oD5nK4ml2c4w