Organization Information
Syed Noaman Ali is currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity at Utah Tech University (USA), with over 18 years of academic and industry experience across the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. His professional focus spans cybersecurity education, digital forensics, IT infrastructure management, and enterprise security operations.
His services encompass:
Academic Instruction: Design and delivery of specialized undergraduate and graduate courses in cybersecurity, network security, ethical hacking, and cloud computing.
Professional Training: Development and execution of national and institutional training programs in cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing — including programs targeting women in tech and workforce upskilling.
Cybersecurity Operations: Implementation of multilayered enterprise defense systems, data center operations, vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits.
Research & Consultancy: Research in cybersecurity risk management, particularly in remote work settings using Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), and consultancy for educational institutions and government IT initiatives.
Throughout his career, Syed has contributed to institutional digital transformation, served on strategic committees, and participated in national summits, such as the Kingdom e-Government Summit. He holds numerous professional certifications including CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CySA+, and is a recognized IEEE Senior Member.
Describe the work that you do in your role
As an Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity at Utah Tech University, I lead academic instruction, curriculum development, and research in areas critical to today’s digital landscape—such as network security, digital forensics, ethical hacking, and system administration. I teach and mentor undergraduate students, design hands-on labs and simulations, and actively guide students in understanding real-world cybersecurity challenges.
Beyond classroom teaching, my work involves academic research focused on cybersecurity risk management in remote work environments, drawing on behavioral frameworks like Protection Motivation Theory. I also contribute to faculty committees, accreditation processes, and strategic planning to strengthen the cybersecurity program.
Previously, I served as a Senior Lecturer and IT Manager at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), where I oversaw enterprise IT infrastructure, data center operations, and cybersecurity governance, in addition to teaching. I’ve also conducted professional training programs in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing across the GCC region, with a strong focus on empowering underrepresented communities.
My role bridges academia and industry, ensuring that students gain not only theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills needed to protect digital systems in evolving threat landscapes.
Indicate previous experience and/or areas of career proficiency/achievenments
With over 18 years of academic and professional experience across the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Australia, I have built a multifaceted career at the intersection of cybersecurity education, IT infrastructure management, and digital forensics.
Key Experience & Achievements:
Academic Excellence: Served as Assistant Professor at Utah Tech University and Champlain College (USA), and as Senior Lecturer at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), where I received the Excellence in Teaching Award.
Cybersecurity Leadership: Designed and taught a wide range of university-level courses, including Network Security, Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics, and Cloud Computing. Mentored students and professionals in globally recognized certification programs such as CISSP, Security+, and CySA+.
Digital Transformation: As IT & Cybersecurity Manager at KFUPM's Dammam Community College, I led critical infrastructure projects including multilayered defense systems, SIEM implementation, and Active Directory modernization.
Research & Thought Leadership: Engaged in scholarly research on cybersecurity risk management in remote work environments, and was recently featured in CSO Online, a leading cybersecurity publication.
International Recognition: Elevated to Senior Member of IEEE in 2025, a distinction awarded to fewer than 10% of its global membership, in recognition of significant performance in engineering and technical education.
National Training Programs: Spearheaded multiple government-funded training initiatives in cybersecurity, AI, and cloud technologies, particularly focusing on empowering women and underserved communities.
These achievements reflect a sustained commitment to advancing cybersecurity knowledge, driving educational innovation, and enhancing digital resilience in academic and professional ecosystems.
Describe your success in your professional life and achievements
Throughout my career, I have consistently contributed to the growth and modernization of the institutions I've served by combining deep technical expertise with academic innovation and strategic leadership.
Notable Contributions & Impact:
Digital Infrastructure Transformation: At King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), I led the migration of legacy systems to virtualized environments, implemented multi-layered cybersecurity defenses, and upgraded Active Directory and email services. These initiatives reduced operational costs by 65% and significantly improved system uptime and security posture.
Educational Innovation: I developed and modernized cybersecurity curricula aligned with international standards, integrating hands-on labs and industry certifications. This resulted in elevated student engagement and improved graduate outcomes, with many students successfully pursuing industry certifications and employment.
National-Level Training Leadership: I designed and delivered large-scale training programs in cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing for national workforce development in the GCC region. These programs helped upskill hundreds of professionals and enhanced institutional reputation, particularly through inclusive initiatives supporting women in tech.
Cross-Departmental Integration: As IT & Cybersecurity Manager, I successfully integrated systems across departments to streamline workflows, improve communication, and reduce redundancies. This led to more efficient data reporting and higher organizational transparency.
Recognition and Awards: My impact was recognized through the Excellence in Teaching Award at KFUPM, VIP invitations to national IT summits, and my elevation to IEEE Senior Member status, signifying global recognition for contributions to the profession.
Overall, I have consistently driven academic quality, operational excellence, and strategic innovation across the organizations I’ve served—advancing their missions in education, security, and digital transformation.
Write your activities and achievement if you were member of any club or society in UMT?
Organized Technical Workshops: Led and coordinated peer-learning workshops on topics such as basic networking, programming fundamentals, and system troubleshooting, fostering a culture of applied learning within the student community.
Capstone Mentorship: Provided guidance and feedback to final-year students on their capstone projects, helping align their work with industry trends and standards.
Tech Talks and Seminars: Participated in the planning and delivery of guest speaker sessions, including industry professionals who shared insights into emerging technologies and job readiness.
Achievement in Innovation Challenge: Contributed to a team project that received recognition in an intra-university IT Innovation Challenge, focused on developing a web-based student record system prototype.
What do you remember about your time in ILM / IMT /UMT?
My time at ILM (now UMT) remains one of the most memorable phases of my academic journey. I was based at the Barkat Market Campus, which had a unique energy and a close-knit academic environment. Back then, internet access was a precious resource — we used to sign up in advance to get time on a limited number of lab computers. It was in those very labs that I created my first email account, a milestone I still remember fondly. The system only allowed a four-letter password, and to this day, I remember the one I used.
Despite the simplicity of the tools we had, those early experiences laid the groundwork for my passion in computing and cybersecurity. ILM was not just a place of learning; it was where the digital world opened up for me — a humble beginning that eventually led to a global career in cybersecurity and digital transformation.
