Dennis Desmond

Dr. Dennis Desmond is a Lecturer in Cyber Security at the University of the Sunshine Coast's School of Science, Technology and Engineering. He holds a PhD from USC, an MA from Indiana University, and a BA from Ohio State University. Prior to academia, he served in counterintelligence roles with the U.S. Army, FBI, and Defense Intelligence Agency, specializing in cyber threats from Eastern Europe and identity operations. His research focuses on cryptocurrency laundering, darknet marketplace interventions, and cybersecurity systems analysis.

Education:

• PhD, University of the Sunshine Coast
• MA, Indiana University
• BA, Ohio State University

Research interests include darknet interventions, human factors in cybersecurity, and socio-technical systems underlying financial crime. He leads the ARC Linkage Grant project on darknet market interventions and collaborates with international law enforcement agencies. Recent work explores AI ethics in cybersecurity, facial recognition privacy risks, and cryptocurrency laundering dynamics.

Scientific awards include the ARC Linkage Grant (2017), Harvard National Security Fellowship (2013), and a George C. Marshall Fellowship (1994). He advises on national security matters and teaches advanced courses in cyber intelligence, cryptography, and blockchain technologies.

Grants: Led the $540,322 ARC Linkage Grant (2017-2021) investigating darknet market interventions. His research addresses global cybersecurity challenges through interdisciplinary systems ergonomics approaches.

Labs/Teams: Active researcher in the Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems at USC, focusing on darknet intervention strategies and cryptolaundering prevention.