Dr. Manish Kumar Rai

Professional Objective

A committed researcher and Cyber Security Expert with strong experience in cybersecurity, particularly in SCADA and Operational Technology (OT) security. My aim is to advance the field through innovative research, effective teaching, and by securing OT environments using advanced AI technologies. My goal is to make a significant impact by transforming new ideas into practical solutions.

Education

• Ph.D. in Cyber Security, Rashtriya Raksha University
• Master of Technology (M.Tech) in Computer Science and Engineering, Central University of South Bihar (CGPA: 7.16)
• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Information Technology, West Bengal University of Technology (CGPA: 7.45)
• Higher Secondary Education, West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (60%)
• Secondary Education, West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (73.47%)
• Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE): 2014, 2016
• UGC NET: 2017, 2019
• NET-JRF: 2019

Professional Experience

• Cyber Security Expert, Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (April 2025 – Present)
• Assistant Professor & Center Head, Cyber Defense Center, Rashtriya Raksha University (Sept 2021 – 3/03/2025)
• Junior Research Fellow, Rashtriya Raksha University (July 2019 – Sept 2021)
• RRU Research Fellow, Rashtriya Raksha University (August 2018 – July 2019)
• Assistant Teacher, Shibpur Ambika Hindi High School, Howrah (July 2013 – June 2014)

Research Interests

• SCADA Security
• Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security
• Operational Technology (OT) Security
• Network Security and Vulnerability Assessment
• Application of AI in Cybersecurity

Technical Skills

• ICS Security: SCADA Security, Industrial Control Systems, OT
• Network Security: VAPT, Wireless Security, IDPS
• Programming Languages: C, Java, Python
• Tools: Metasploit, Wireshark, NMAP, TCPDUMP, ZEEK
• AI in Cybersecurity: Machine learning for threat detection
• Industrial Protocols: Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850

Grants and Funding

• National Cyber Exercise 2023 – Organizer and Trainer (₹3 Crores+)
• SDN Development Project – Co-Principal Investigator (₹20 Crores+)
• SCO RATS Exercise – Organizer (₹20 Lakhs+)
• CII SECX 2024 – Organizer, Trainer, Blue Team Manager (₹3 Crores+)

Workshops and Trainings Conducted

• Professional Diploma for Indian Army – In Charge & Trainer on Cyber Security at UPSIFS
• National Cyber Exercise 2023 – Organizer & Trainer on VAPT and OT Security at NSCS
• Training for Indian Army – Network Assessment at RRU
• NIC Training – Windows Kernel Debugging & PowerShell Scripting at RRU
• SCO RATS – Trainer on Cyber Threats at NSCS
• Ministry of Power – Network Assessment at RRU
• ITEC Program – Trainer on Cyber Security Fundamentals at RRu
• Cyber Awareness Program – Expert on Cyber Awareness at RRU
• Eklavya Project – Trainer for Cyber Security (Six days at Tehri Garhwal Center) at RRU

Leadership & Representation

Successfully introduced the Cyber Defence Center to high-ranking officials, including:

• Ms. Katrin Kivi, Ambassador of Estonia to India
• Foreign External Minister S. Jaishankar
• Gen M N Naravane, Chief of the Army Staff
• Shri Rajiv Ratan Chetwani, CISO of the Department of Space and ISRO
• Lt Gen D S Rana, DG DIA & DCIDS (Int)
• Shri Bhupendra Patel, Chief Minister of Gujarat

Publications

• Classification of Malware Using AV Labels, IJCSE (2021)
• Modified K-Neighbor Outperforms, Springer Nature Switzerland (2022)
• Protecting OT Hosts, Springer Nature Switzerland (2023)
• Language Identification using PLDA, ICACCI (2016)
• Security Management Process in Industrial Network, National Conference on “The Urban Transformation”

Certifications

• Certified Ethical Hacker by EC-Council
• One Month Cyber Security Training in Estonia
• CCNA Certified
• National Cyber Exercise (NCX) INDIA (April 2022)
• Summer School on Machine Learning (2019)
• Research Methodology in Social Sciences (2018)

Industrial Internships/Visits

• Research Intern at CDAC Noida (CYBERCLOSET)
• Visit to Gujarat Gas Limited (SCADA Analysis)
• Visit to ONGC (OT Security Implementation)
• Visit to GMR, Delhi Airport (SOC Analysis)
• Training in Estonia (Cyber Range Management)

Languages

• Hindi
• English
• Bhojpuri
• Bengali
• Gujarati

Interests

• Cybersecurity Research
• SCADA Security
• Network Security