J. Alex Halderman

J. Alex Halderman is the Bredt Family Professor of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Michigan, directing both the Center for Computer Security and Society and the Michigan CSE Systems Lab. His work critically examines the societal impacts of security and privacy technologies through empirical research and policy engagement.

Halderman's research spans computer security and privacy with emphasis on election integrity, censorship resistance, and the intersection of technology with law and policy. He investigates real-world vulnerabilities in systems ranging from voting infrastructure to encrypted communications, prioritizing measurable societal impact through forensic analysis and large-scale measurement studies.

His publication record demonstrates consistent focus on high-stakes security challenges, particularly in democratic processes and user privacy. Notable contributions include internet-wide scanning tools (ZMap), forensic investigations of election systems, and foundational work on cryptographic vulnerabilities affecting global infrastructure.

Scientific recognitions include:

• USENIX Security Best Paper Award (2024)
• USENIX Security Best Paper Award (2022)
• USENIX Security Best Paper Award and Internet Defense Prize (2022)
• IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy Best Student Paper Award (2020)
• Pwnie Award for Best Crypto Attack (2016)
• ACM CCS Best Paper Award (2015)
• ACM IMC Applied Networking Research Prize (2015)
• ACM IMC Best Paper Award (2014)
• USENIX Security Best Paper Award and Test of Time Award (2012)
• USENIX Security PET Award Runner-up (2011)
• USENIX Security Best Student Paper Award (2008)

Halderman advises a dynamic research group including current members Braden Crimmins, Erik Chi, and Dhanya Narayanan, with over two dozen alumni who have advanced the field. His leadership extends to developing practical security solutions like Let's Encrypt and conducting court-admissible forensic analyses of election systems.

He directs the Michigan CSE Systems Lab, which pioneers research in computer systems security, and the Center for Computer Security and Society, which bridges technical research with policy impact through cross-disciplinary collaboration.