Nils Kalstad

Nils Kalstad serves as Associate Professor in Information Security at the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology (IIK) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has been Director of NTNU Community Safety since January 2024. Previously, he directed NTNU's Center for Cyber and Information Security (2017-2023) and led the Department of Information Security and Communication Technology (2017-2023). His academic career began at Gjøvik University College where he served as Doctoral Fellow (2003-2008), Head of the Center for Cyber and Information Security (2014-2015), and Dean of the Department of Informatics and Media Technology (2014-2015).

Kalstad earned a civil engineering degree from NTNU's Department of Mathematical Sciences followed by a PhD in information security from the University of Oslo. His doctoral dissertation 'Interdependencies in Critical Infrastructures: A Qualitative Approach to Model Physical, Logical, and Geographical Interdependencies' established his research foundation. He has maintained continuous academic appointment at NTNU since August 2008.

His research focuses on cybersecurity, critical infrastructure protection, and community safety, with particular emphasis on modeling interdependencies between physical, logical, and geographical aspects of critical systems. Kalstad's work bridges theoretical security models with practical applications in emergency preparedness, examining vulnerabilities in communication networks, developing anomaly detection frameworks for control systems, and analyzing security policies. His competence areas include emergency preparedness, civil security, cybersecurity, information security, communication technology, and community safety.

Analysis of Kalstad's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory from technical security mechanisms toward broader societal security frameworks. His early work focused on critical infrastructure interdependencies and SCADA systems security, while more recent publications address national security strategies and energy security. The pattern shows increasing emphasis on human factors in cyber defense and comprehensive community safety approaches. His research maintains strong connections between theoretical modeling and practical implementation needs.

Kalstad serves on multiple national security advisory bodies including the National Reference Group for Civil Security (Research Council) since July 2024, the National Cyber Security Center Reference Group since February 2020, and the Forum for National ICT Security since April 2018. His leadership extends to various boards including NORSAR (since May 2019), the Norwegian Center for Information Security (NorSIS) (2017-2024), and Skeikampen skiarena AS (since October 2014). He has also contributed to NTNU's internal governance through committee service on equality and diversity, honorary doctorates, and academic integration.