People

WeSIS Lab people

Prof. Konstantinos Rantos (Director)

Dr K. Rantos is a Professor at the Department of Informatics at the Democritus University of Thrace and Director of the Web Services and Information Security Lab.

Konstantinos Rantos is a Professor at the  Department of Informatics and Director of the Web Services and Information Security Lab at the Democritus University of Thrace. In the past he held information security positions in the private and public sector. He participated in many national as well as research and development projects under EU ACTS, CIP LSPs, ARTEMIS JU, FP7, and H2020 programmes. He has more than 50 publications in journals, books and international conferences, and acts as a reviewer to a number of conferences and scientific journals. His research interests are in the areas of cybersecurity, cyber-threat management blockchains, authentication systems, and privacy.

Eleftherios Batzolis

Eleftherios Mpatzolis is a Computer Engineer with an MSc in “Advanced Information and Computer Technologies” and 16 years of professional experience in the field of information technology. He is currently a PhD candidate at the Department of Informatics at the Democritus University of Thrace.

<p>His research activity focuses on the intersection of hardware security, machine learning in embedded systems, and cybersecurity. He has expertise in RTL/VLSI design and the implementation of AI accelerators, with particular emphasis on hardware vulnerability detection and side-channel attacks.</p><p>He has received distinctions in international competitions in hardware security, such as the CSAW-NYU AI Hardware Attack Competition, as well as in ASIC design competitions. His publications in international IEEE/ACM conferences focus on machine learning in embedded systems and adaptive cyber deception using LLMs.</p><p>His goal is to pursue doctoral studies in the security of Artificial Intelligence systems, combining his experience in hardware security with contemporary challenges in adversarial robustness and AI alignment.</p>

Dr Pavlos Cheimonidis

Pavlos Cheimonidis holds a PhD from the Department of Informatics at the Democritus University of Thrace.

Pavlos Cheimonidis is a Network and Systems Administrator within the Greek Public Sector, possessing a robust technical foundation that encompasses network and systems configuration. He exhibits a keen interest in cybersecurity, and his professional experience includes roles in cybersecurity within the private sector. Pavlos earned his first MSc in Telecommunications and Cybersecurity from the International Hellenic University, followed by a second MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds various certifications in Security and Networking, such as the ISO 27001 Information Security Management Systems Auditor and Cisco Certified Network Associate – Routing and Switching (CCNA). Pavlos' research interests revolve around cybersecurity, risk management and assessment methodologies, and the application of machine learning in cybersecurity.

Dr Dimitrios Chatziamanetoglou

Dimitrios Chatziamanetoglou is a Service Delivery Manager (Transmission Services and Network Element Management) in NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) as NATO International Civilian personnel. He holds a PhD from the Department of Informatics at the Democritus University of Thrace.

Dimitrios Chatziamanetoglou is a Service Delivery Manager (Transmission Services and Network Element Management) in NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) as NATO International Civilian personnel. He is a retired Telecommunications (Signals) Officer (LtCol) having served the Hellenic Army for 25 years, mostly as a network engineer and as Information Security and CIS Security Officer. He received his MSc in Telecommunications Engineering and his second MSc in Informatics and Management from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He holds various certifications in Security (CISSP, CEH), in Risk Management (M_o_R), in Project Management (PRINCE2) and in IT Service Management (ISO/IEC 20000, ITIL). He is also a certified Radio Comms Engineer from the Hellenic Ministry of Digital Governance. He has an extensive experience in Cyber Security and Risk Management activities in both National and International environments. His interests are In the field of Cyber Security, Semantic Web, Blockchain and Radio Communications.

Anastasia Dimakopoulou

Anastasia Dimakopoulou is a PhD candidate at the Department of Computer Science at the International Hellenic University.

<p class="ql-align-justify">Anastasia Dimakopoulou is a PhD candidate at the Department of Computer Science at the International Hellenic University. She boasts a background in Computer Science and Technology attained at the University of Western Macedonia (Greece). Additionally, Anastasia holds an MSc degree in New Technologies in Shipping and Transport obtained from the University of Aegean and Western Attica (Greece). There, she focused on Information Systems &amp; Management in Shipping and Transport, explored the realm of Cyber Security in the Shipping industry in her thesis work, and produced a published work titled &#34;The New Cyber Security Framework in Shipping Industry&#34;.</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Presently, Anastasia is a cybersecurity consultant, where her engagements have enriched her expertise in Cybersecurity Awareness, Security Management, Data Protection &amp; Privacy, and Cyber Risk Identification &amp; Threat Management. She has undertaken extensive projects for a major systemic bank in Greece, where she actively contributes to the revision of the bank&#39;s policies and procedures, audits regulatory frameworks, and manages Outsourcing and Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). In addition, Anastasia has been part of teams performing a SWIFT assessment on banks, implementing mandatory security controls for SWIFT CSCF, and creating a Cyber Security Awareness Program for clients.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br /></p><p class="ql-align-justify">Throughout her career, Anastasia has gathered diverse experience. She established a strong foundation as an instructor in a variety of computer science programs across both public and private sectors. Her journey led her to the maritime sector where she spent six years working in a classification society. Her role entailed data analysis pertaining to new ship orders for shipowners in relation to classification society. She made substantial contributions to data security and played a pivotal role in shaping and refining their cybersecurity strategy. In the past, Anastasia broadened her skillset as a consultant in energy solutions and has been able to apply her comprehensive knowledge in sales across a wide range of fields. This diverse experience has enriched her understanding of various industry verticals.</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><br /></p><p class="ql-align-justify">Currently, Anastasia is deeply immersed in conducting research in the maritime sector, with a primary emphasis on Cybersecurity, Security Awareness, Internet of Things security, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchains Security, and Privacy. Her fervor for research mirrors her advanced comprehension of the rapidly evolving digital landscape within the maritime industry. Anastasia continues to cultivate her expertise with dedication and efficacy. Anastasia&#39;s contributions primarily manifest in the strengthening of digital security, data protection, and the integration of modern improvements such as Artificial Intelligence within maritime activities for enhanced safety protocols. Her work also emphasizes on establishing comprehensive framework methodologies that the maritime industry can adopt. These framework methodologies not only provide structured guidance on handling cyber threats but also set a clear pathway for the effective integration and utilization of emerging technologies within maritime operations for superior security measures.</p><p><br /></p>

Dr Kyriakos Ovaliadis

Dr. Kyriakos Ovaliadis holds a Ph.D. in Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Portsmouth in 2015.

Dr. Kyriakos Ovaliadis received his bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Coventry University in 1996 and a master degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Greenwich University in 1998. He also obtained another master degree in Innovation Technology and Engineering Management from International Hellenic University in 2020. He obtained a Ph.D. in Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Portsmouth in 2015. His doctoral dissertation entitled "Energy-Efficient Cluster-Based Cluster Algorithm for Underwater Sensor Networks" refers to an energy-enhanced system which can also be sufficient for handling cluster-head and mobile sensor node connectivity failures. He has published 17 scientific articles in various scientific journals and conferences and his scientific work is recognized, with more than 150 citations. His research interests focuses, among other things, on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSN), Internet of things (IoT) and the design of simulation models.

Konstantinos Tsiknas

Dr Konstantinos Tsiknas holds a PhD from Democritus University of Thrace (Greece)

<p><strong>Konstantinos Tsiknas</strong> received his Ph.D. in 2015 from Democritus University of Thrace (Greece). His research interests lie in the area of TCP congestion control and performance analysis in computer networks. Konstantinos received his MSc degree in mobile and satellite communications from Surrey University, UK, in 2001. From 1995 to 2009 he worked as a software engineer in telecom industry in Greece and in UK. He is currently employed at the Hellenic Ministry of Defense, where he is involved with the development and implementation of various projects for the Greek army in the fields of computer networks, telecommunication and electricity.</p>

Dr Konstantinos Demertzis - In Memoriam – Honorary Member

Dr K.Demertzis was a valued member of the WeSIS Lab. His contribution to the lab and to our research community is remembered with respect and gratitude.

Dr. Konstantinos Demertzis was a military officer and served in the Research and Informatics Corps of the Hellenic Army. He held a PhD in Environmental Informatics and Computational Intelligence from Democritus University of Thrace and a Master’s degree in Communication and Computer Networking Technologies from the University of the Aegean.
He served as a Part-time Lecturer at the Department of Computer and Informatics Engineering of the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology, as a Research Associate at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and as Adjunct Faculty at the University of the Peloponnese.
Ηe held certifications in advanced computer skills, networking technologies, and cybersecurity from Cisco, the Open University UK, the University of Georgia, USA, and the University of Applied Sciences Gelsenkirchen. He was also a Google Certified Partner.
His research interests included Computational Intelligence, Big Data, Network Security, Malware Analysis, and Critical Infrastructure Protection.
He is remembered with respect and gratitude for his contribution to the research community and to the work of the lab.