Frode van der Laak

Frode van der Laak is a Post-doctoral Researcher at the Norwegian Center for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors (NORCICS) within the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His work bridges academic research and industrial innovation in blockchain, AI, and cybersecurity.

Academic Background:

• PhD in Blockchain and DePin Technology, King’s College London
• MSc in System and Software Security, University of Oxford

Research Focus: Specializes in decentralized systems development, real-world asset tokenization, and AI-driven cybersecurity solutions. His work emphasizes practical implementations in critical sectors like healthcare and financial services, with notable projects including COMFORTage (decentralized healthcare platform) and Reltime/Swifin (Web3 financial SuperApp serving millions in Africa). Key methodologies involve blockchain architecture, dApp development, IPFS integration, and predictive analytics.

Awards & Recognition:

• Best Researcher of the Year (ICRE 24)
• Nordic Innovation Award for Best AI & Web3 Fintech (2023)
• Global Startup Award Finalist (Istanbul)

Professional Impact: Holds over 20 patents in Mobile, AI, Blockchain, and 5G technologies. Leads development of systems integrating 300+ APIs for financial ecosystems, with global reach across Africa and Europe. Delivers specialized lectures on modern threat actors in legacy infrastructure for MSc students. Core competencies include EVM vertical development, smart contracts, and metadata management for large-scale data systems.