Anitha Chinnaswamy

Dr. Anitha Chinnaswamy is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security Management at Aston Business School, Aston University, where she serves as Deputy Director of the Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Research Centre. She leads the MSc Cyber Security Management program and directs multiple research initiatives focusing on cyber security risk management, cryptocurrency regulation, AI applications in cybersecurity, and gender diversity in the field.

Her educational background includes a PhD in Computing, an MSc in Informatics, and a PG Cert in Higher Education, all from Coventry University. As a CRISC certified professional and APMG Certified Cyber Security Instructor, she brings both academic rigor and industry relevance to her work.

Dr. Chinnaswamy's research spans critical cybersecurity areas including cyber security risk management, cryptocurrency and illicit money flows, cloud-based artificial intelligence applications, and addressing the gender gap in cybersecurity. Her work bridges technical cybersecurity solutions with organizational behavior, risk management, and awareness strategies, creating holistic approaches to security challenges. She has developed award-winning curricula that empower future leaders in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

Her publications reveal a strong focus on applying AI to cybersecurity challenges, particularly in banking and financial crime detection, while also addressing regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrencies and the social dimensions of cybersecurity through work on gender diversity and inclusion.

• Tech for Good Award, Midlands Women in Tech Awards, 2023
• Academic Award, Midlands Women in Tech Awards, 2024
• Finalist - Cyber University of the Year, National Cyber Awards, 2024

As Programme Director for the MSc Cyber Security Management, Dr. Chinnaswamy has secured substantial research funding from Horizon Europe, Innovate UK, DSIT, and WMCA. Her current projects include CyVAWG: Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls (£75,000), CyberKali 2024 (£42,000), and a KTP with BlueScreen IT (£202,024). She actively collaborates with LEAs, regional cybercrime units, corporate partners, government agencies, and academic institutions across multiple projects.

Dr. Chinnaswamy leads the Cyber Security Innovation Centre research team and serves as Chapter Leader for ISACA Central UK. As a founding member of the Ethnic Minorities in Cyber (EMiC) Network supported by DSIT, she champions diversity and inclusion in cybersecurity, while also serving as a STEM Ambassador in the West Midlands to inspire the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.