Curriculum Vitae

DR. MUHAMMAD FAIZ BIN MOHD ZAKI

Senior Lecturer
  • Department of Computer System & Technology
    Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology
  • faizzaki
  • 03-79676418

BIOGRAPHY

Faiz Zaki obtained his Master of Science (Web Science and Big Data Analytics) from the University College of London in 2017 and a PhD in Network Analytics from Universiti Malaya in 2022. He is currently serving as the Director of the Data and Information Management Center and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Computer Systems and Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology, Universiti Malaya. He is also a core member of the Center of Research for Cybersecurity and Network (CSNET). His research interests lie at the intersection between big data analytics and computer networking. As such, most of his works revolve around network analytics, such as network traffic classification. Currently, his research direction is steering towards producing real-time network analytics using technologies like edge computing and federated learning. Faiz Zaki also holds several professional certifications in computer networking, such as CCNA and HCIA, besides being an active member of IEEE Computer Society and Young Professionals.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

  • DIGITAL SECURITY SERVICES (INCLUDING DIGITAL FORENSIC, STEGANOGRAPHY, NETWORK SECURITY, PUBLIC KEY INFRASTRUCTURE AND BIOMETRICS)
    Applied Science And Technology, Information And Communication Technology (ict), Digital And Cyber Security
  • BIG DATA ARCHITECTURE, TECHNOLOGY AND ANALYTICS
    Applied Science And Technology, Information And Communication Technology (ict), Data And Information Management And Analytics
  • CYBERSECURITY AND CYBERWARFARE PREPAREDNESS
    Governance And National Sovereignty, External Deterrence

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

  • PhD, (Rangkaian Komputer)
    Universiti Malaya (um)
  • MSc, (WEB SCIENCE AND BIG DATA ANALYTICS)
    University College London, Gower Street London Wc1
  • BSc, (COMPUTER SCIENCE (COMPUTER SYSTEM AND NETWORKING))
    Universiti Malaya (um)

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES

  • Director
    01 Feb 2024 - present (Data and Information Management Centre, Deputy Vice-chancellor (development))
  • AHLI JAWATANKUASA TAPISAN KECEMERLANGAN
    14 Apr 2025 - 13 Apr 2027 (University Malaya)
  • JAWATANKUASA PELAKSANA UMHEALTH (TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY)
    17 Jan 2025 - 16 Jan 2027 (University Malaya)
  • Committee Members
    24 Apr 2025 - 31 Dec 2026 (University Malaya)
  • Task Force Member
    27 Mar 2025 - 26 Mar 2026 (University Malaya)
  • Task Force Member
    17 Nov 2025 - 16 Feb 2026 (University Malaya)
  • Committee Members
    15 Feb 2024 - 14 Feb 2026 (University Malaya)
  • AHLI JAWATANKUASA 4 (PENDIGITALAN) CoR
    01 Apr 2024 - 31 Mar 2025 (University Malaya)
  • Committee Members
    01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2024 (Faculty)
  • Course Coordinator
    15 Mar 2024 - 07 Jul 2024 (Department of Computer System & Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology)
  • Head of Unit
    16 Jun 2022 - 15 Jun 2024 (University Malaya)
  • Course Coordinator
    13 Mar 2023 - 23 Jul 2023 (Department of Computer System & Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology)
  • Committee Members
    01 Jun 2022 - 31 May 2023 (Department of Computer System & Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology)
  • Task Force Member
    30 May 2022 - 31 Dec 2022 (Department of Computer System & Technology, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology)

MEMBERSHIPS

  • ASSOCIATE EDITOR OF MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF CYBERSECURITY AND APPLICATIONS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR
    2025 to present (International)
  • COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR CYBERSECURITY ACADEMIA MALAYSIA 2023/2024, COMMITTEE MEMBER
    Since 2023 (National)
  • IEEE COMPUTER SOCIETY, MEMBER
    2024 to 2024 (International)
  • IEEE, MEMBER
    2024 to 2024 (International)
  • LIFETIME MEMBER OF CYBER SECURITY ACADEMIA MALAYSIA (CSAM), COMMITTEE MEMBER
    Since 2022 (National)

AWARD AND STEWARDSHIP

  • Best Paper Award - IEEE International Conference On Computing 2025
    2025, IEEE COMPUTER SOCIETY,  (International)
  • Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Excellence Expert Level Award
    2025, CISCO NETWORKING ACADEMY,  (International)
  • Certificate of Excellent Service
    2024, Universiti Malaya
  • Gold Medal (expert Innovator): Intelliguardx: Llm-integrated Network Monitoring Solution
    2024, Malaysia Invention & Innovation Expo 2024,  (International)
  • Best Paper Award - International Conference On Computing 2023
    2023, IEEE COMPUTER SOCIETY,  (International)
  • Best Paper Award - International Conference On Computing 2022
    2022, IEEE Computer Society,  (International)

PUBLICATIONS

Article in Journal
WoS
  1. Afifi, Firdaus; Zaki, Faiz; Hanif, Hazim; Aqil, Nik; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2025). Transformer-based tokenization for IoT traffic classification across diverse network environments, PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE. 11. doi:10.7717/peerj-cs.3126
  2. Ariffin, Azizi; Afifi, Firdaus; Zaki, Faiz; Hanif, Hazim; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2025). Federated learning in network traffic classification: Taxonomy of implementation, application, and impact on sixth-generation wireless networks, ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. 158. doi:10.1016/j.engappai.2025.111471
  3. Ariffin, Azizi; Zaki, Faiz; Hanif, Hazim; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2025). Adversarial attack and defence of federated learning-based network traffic classification in edge computing environment, COMPUTER NETWORKS. 272. doi:10.1016/j.comnet.2025.111739
  4. Ariffin, Azizi; Zaki, Faiz; Hanif, Hazim; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2025). Mitigating adversarial attacks in federated learning based network traffic classification applications using secure hierarchical remote attestation and adaptive aggregation framework, PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE. 11. doi:10.7717/peerj-cs.3215
  5. Okmi, Mohammed; Ang, Tan Fong; Zaki, Muhammad Faiz Mohd; Ku, Chin Soon; Phan, Koo Yuen; Wahyudi, Irfan; Por, Lip Yee (2025). Mobile Phone Network Data in the COVID-19 era: A systematic review of applications, socioeconomic factors affecting compliance to non-pharmaceutical interventions, privacy implications, and post-pandemic economic recovery strategies, PLOS ONE. 20(4). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0322520
  6. Tahaei, Hamid; Liu, Anqi; Forooghikian, Hamid; Gheisari, Mehdi; Zaki, Faiz; Anuar, Nor Badrul; Fang, Zhaoxi; Huang, Longjun (2025). Machine learning for Internet of Things (IoT) device identification: a comparative study, PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE. 11. doi:10.7717/peerj-cs.2873
  7. Aqil, Nik; Zaki, Faiz; Afifi, Firdaus; Hanif, Hazim; Kiah, Miss Laiha Mat; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2024). Improved temporal IoT device identification using robust statistical features, PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE. 10. doi:10.7717/peerj-cs.2145
  8. Aminuddin, Mohamad Amar Irsyad Mohd; Zaaba, Zarul Fitri; Samsudin, Azman; Zaki, Faiz; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2023). The rise of website fingerprinting on Tor: Analysis on techniques and assumptions, JOURNAL OF NETWORK AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. 212. doi:10.1016/j.jnca.2023.103582
  9. Zaki, Faiz; Afifi, Firdaus; Gani, Abdullah; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2022). GRANULAR NETWORK TRAFFIC CLASSIFICATION FOR STREAMING TRAFFIC USING INCREMENTAL LEARNING AND CLASSIFIER CHAIN, MALAYSIAN JOURNAL OF COMPUTER SCIENCE. 35(3), 264-280. doi:10.22452/mjcs.vol35no3.5
  10. Zaki, Faiz; Afifi, Firdaus; Razak, Shukor Abd; Gani, Abdullah; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2022). GRAIN: Granular multi-label encrypted traffic classification using classifier chain, COMPUTER NETWORKS. 213. doi:10.1016/j.comnet.2022.109084
  11. Zaki, F., Gani, A., Tahaei, H., Furnell, S., & Anuar, N. B. (2021). Grano-GT: A granular ground truth collection tool for encrypted browser-based Internet traffic. Computer Networks, 184, 12. doi: 10.1016/j.comnet.2020.107617
  12. Tahaei, Hamid; Afifi, Firdaus; Asemi, Adeleh; Zaki, Faiz; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2020). The rise of traffic classification in IoT networks: A survey, JOURNAL OF NETWORK AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS. 154. doi:10.1016/j.jnca.2020.102538
Article in Proceeding
WoS
  1. Zaki, Faiz; Gani, Abdullah; Anuar, Nor Badrul (2020). Applications and use Cases of Multilevel Granularity for Network Traffic Classification, 2020 16TH IEEE INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM ON SIGNAL PROCESSING & ITS APPLICATIONS (CSPA 2020). , 75-79
Scopus
  1. Ariffin A., Zaki F., Anuar N.B. (2023). Leveraging Federated Learning and XAI for Privacy-Aware and Lightweight Edge Training in Network Traffic Classification, 2023 IEEE International Conference on Computing, ICOCO 2023. , 47-52. doi:10.1109/ICOCO59262.2023.10397836
  2. Aqil N., Afifi F., Zaki F., Anuar N.B. (2022). Preliminary Study on the Effect of Traffic Representation on Accuracy Degradation in Machine Learning-based IoT Device Identification, 2022 IEEE International Conference on Computing, ICOCO 2022. , 270-275. doi:10.1109/ICOCO56118.2022.10031725
Other Publications
  1. AI PERLU SEMAKAN KETAT ELAK SILAP PAPAR JALUR GEMILANG, KATA PAKAR. (2025, April 27). FMT. Retrieved from https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2025/04/27/ai-perlu-semakan-ketat-elak-silap-papar-jalur-gemilang-kata-pakar. - Mass Media(newspaper,radio,tv,popular Magazine)
  2. Pengguna kecil, tak berbaloi malaysia bangun platform media sosial. (2024, August 9). FMT. Retrieved from https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2024/08/09/pengguna-kecil-tak-berbaloi-malaysia-bangun-platform-media-sosial/. - Mass Media(newspaper,radio,tv,popular Magazine)
  3. Zaki, F. (2024, January 17). PADU perlu lebih mesra pengguna. Utusan Malaysia. https://www.utusan.com.my/berita/2024/01/padu-perlu-lebih-mesra-pengguna/ - Mass Media(newspaper,radio,tv,popular Magazine)
  4. Zaki, F., Anuar, N.B., Shuib, L., Aini, A.M. (2024). A CROSS-PLATFORM INFORMATION AND ANALYTICS SYSTEM FOR SALES OF PROPERTY TRANSACTION AND RENTAL INFORMATION. Valuation and Property Services Department, Ministry of Finance, Malaysia. - Technical Report

RESEARCH INTEREST

  • Network Traffic Classification (Granular Network Traffic Classification)
  • Network Security (Network Traffic Profiling, Network Traffic Filtering)
  • Real-time Network Traffic Classification (Early Traffic Classification)
  • Network Analytics (Network Management, Data Science, Data Analytics)

RESEARCH PROJECT

National
  1. 2025 - 2030, Partnership Grant
    An Agentic AI Framework for Autonomous Threat Intelligence and Response Using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2024 - 2026, Government Agency
    A Prediction Model Of Managing Building Obsolescence For Sustainable Adaption ( Co-Researcher)
  3. 2025 - 2026, RU Geran - UMCares
    UMCYBERSAFE: EMPOWERING SOCIETY WITH CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION ( Co-Researcher)
  4. 2025 - 2026, RU Geran - UMCares
    BUILDING A CYBER-READY GENERATION OF STUDENTS ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  5. 2022 - 2025, Others MOHE - Top 100 (IIRG)-IISS
    Wp3: Time-sensitive Sensor Integrated Food Rescue System Towards Combating Food Insecurity ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  6. 2023 - 2025, Government Agency
    A Cross-platform Information And Analytics System For Sales Of Property Transaction And Rental Information ( Principal Investigator(PI))
  7. 2023 - 2025, Government Agency
    Digital Transformation In Selangor: The Identification And Recommendation Of Digital Skills Of Public Officers In Selangor Government ( Co-Researcher)
  8. 2023 - 2025, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS)
    A Lightweight Network Traffic Classifier For Resource-constrained Networks Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence ( Principal Investigator(PI))
Private
  1. 2025 - 2030, Private Funding
    Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence Management Using The Model Context Protocol (mcp): An Agentic And Context-aware Approach To Threat Detection And Response ( Co-Researcher)
International
  1. 2025 - 2030, Private Funding
    A Large Language Model-Based Framework for Dynamic User Profiling in Learning Management Systems ( Principal Investigator(PI))
University
  1. 2025 - 2027, University Grant
    A Protocol-Driven Agentic AI for Autonomous Threat Analysis and Response ( Co-Researcher)
  2. 2024 - 2026, Bantuan Khas Penyelidikan (BKP Special)
    Learning Deep Source Code Representation for Software Vulnerability Detection using Large Language Models ( Co-Researcher)

CONSULTANCY PROJECT

  • Kajian Pendigitalan Aktiviti Promosi Eksport Bagi Pembangunan Integrated Trade Event Platform (itep), PERBADANAN PEMBANGUNAN PERDAGANGAN LUAR MALAYSIA (MATRADE), Consultant
    20 Jan 2023 - 19 Sep 2023 (National)
  • Mytech: Technical Leadership Development Program (tldp) - Module 5, Infineon Technologies (Kulim) Sdn Bhd
    16 Oct 2023 - 20 Oct 2023 (National)
  • Icdl Training and Certification for ICT in Education, INSTITUT AMINUDDIN BAKI, Consultant
    19 Sep 2022 - 28 Oct 2022 (National)
  • Icdl Training and Certification for Teamwork, INSTITUT AMINUDDIN BAKI, Consultant
    19 Sep 2022 - 28 Oct 2022 (National)

ACADEMIC/ PROF. SERVICES

Evaluation
  1. (2024) Panel Proposal Defence Ijazah Doktor Falsafah (institute for Advanced Studies), University, (Internal Examiner)
  2. (2024) Phd Thesis Internal Examiner, University, (Internal Examiner)
  3. (2024) Panel Proposal Defense Ijazah Doktor Falsafah Institut Pengajian Termaju (ias), University, (Reviewer)
  4. (2024) Phd Thesis Internal Examiner, University, (Internal Examiner)
  5. (2023) Ahli Jawatankuasa Penilai Bagi Pembentangan Program Doktor Falsafah (phd) dan Sarjana Sains Perubatan (mmed.sc.), University, (Internal Examiner)
  6. (2022) Reviewer Jnca, International, (Reviewer)
  7. (2022) Reviewer IEEE Access, International, (Reviewer)
Contribution to event
  1. (2024) Speaker Bengkel Artificial Intelligence in Research, University, (Course Facilitator)
Media appearance
  1. (2025) Ai Perlu Semakan Ketat Elak Silap Papar Jalur Gemilang, Kata Pakar, National, (Interview)
  2. (2024) Pengguna Kecil, Tak Berbaloi Malaysia Bangun Platform Media Sosial, National, (Interview)
  3. (2024) Padu Perlu Lebih Mesra Pengguna, National, (Interview)

SUPERVISION

Under Graduate Students
  1. (2024) Automated Vulnerability Assessment and Testing for Data Warehousing Environment
  2. (2023) Threat Intelligence Platform for UM
Postgraduate Student
  1. (2025) EARLY GRANULAR NETWORK TRAFFIC CLASSIFICATION FOR RAPID NETWORK PROFILING AND SECURITY POLICY ENFORCEMENT FOR FINANCIAL INDUSTRY, CHUA TIONG HOONG
  2. (2025) Internet of Things (IoT): Architectural, MARWAH ALABBOODI
  3. (2025) EMPLOYING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO DETECT SQL INJECTION AND XSS IN WEB APPLICATIONS, HAKAMI MAZYAD MOHAMMED M
  4. (2025) OPTIMIZING QUALITY OF SERVICE IN CLOUD-BASED MAPREDUCE COMPUTATION FOR BIG DATA PROCESSING: A MACHINE LEARNING-DRIVEN FRAMEWORK, HALAH ABKAR E ZAIN
  5. (2025) A STUDY ON ADAPTIVE ANONYMITY APPROACH FOR SYSTEM PRIVACY AND SECURITY., LIU KUNYU
  6. (2025) REVOLUTIONIZING HALAL CERTIFICATION AND SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY THROUGH BLOCKCHAIN AND AI: A PATH TO UNWAVERING TRUST AND UNPARALLELED AUTHENTICITY, MAHSA DASHTIZADEH
  7. (2025) NEXT-GENERATION INTRUSION DETECTION: LEVERAGING ADVANCED MACHINE LEARNING AND EXPLAINABLE AI, NAHIDA NIGAR
  8. (2024) Secure Federated Learning for Network Traffic Classification using Hierarchical Remote Attestation and Adaptive Aggregation, MUHAMMAD AZIZI BIN MOHD ARIFFIN
  9. (2024) Enhanced Criminal Behavior Detection in Mobile Phone Data Using T-DBSCAN, CGAN, and Semi-Supervised Self-Training, MOHAMMED OKMI
  10. (2024) Multi-Task Learning for IoT Network Traffic Classification Using The Transformer-Based Architecture and Convolutional Neural Networks, FIRDAUS AFIFI BIN MD ISA
  11. (2025) Lightweight Network Traffic Classification in A Resource-Constrained Environment Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence, AFIF HAZIQ BIN HARIS
  12. (2024) An Alternative Statistical Feature Set to Reduce Model Accuracy Degradation Over Time for loT Device Identification Using Random Forest, NIK AHMAD AQIL BIN NIK AZEMI
  13. (2022) INTERPRETABLE DEEP LEARNING FOR ENCRYPTED NETWORK TRAFFIC CLASSIFIER, MI JIAHAO
  14. (2022) EARLY GRANULAR NETWORK TRAFFIC CLASSIFICATION FOR RAPID NETWORK PROFILING AND SECURITY POLICY ENFORCEMENT, CHUA TIONG HOONG
  15. (2022) LEVERAGING THREAT INTELLIGENCE AND HUNTING USING ELK STACK AND INTELLIHUNT, NUR ALIA HUSNA BINTI KHAIRUL ANUAR

TEACHING

Master
  1. (2022) WQE7002 - Advanced Network Security Programming
Bachelor
  1. (2024) WIC2007 - Cyber Security
  2. (2024) WIA1005 - Network Technology Foundation
  3. (2024) WIA2004 - Operating Systems
  4. (2023) WIC2007 - Cyber Security
  5. (2023) WIA1005 - Network Technology Foundation
  6. (2022) WIA1002 - Data Structure
  7. (2022) WIA1005 - Network Technology Foundation

PATENT/ IPR

  • Grano-GT: A granular ground truth collection tool for encrypted browser-based Internet traffic
    COPYRIGHT
  • A CROSS-PLATFORM INFORMATION AND ANALYTICS SYSTEM FOR SALES OF PROPERTY TRANSACTION AND RENTAL INFORMATION
    Copyright (National)

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTIVITIES

  • Project Director - Mydigital Id: Celebrating Progress, Strengthening Security Webinar Coorganized by Cyber Security Academia Malaysia (csam), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (ukm) and Mimos Berhad., (31 Jan 2024 - 31 Jan 2024) (National)
  • Committee Member for Apec Women Empowerment Through Cybercrime-free Workshop for Secure Online Trading in The 4th Industrial Revolution (awfreecybercrime) 2023, (12 Sep 2023 - 13 Sep 2023) (National)
  • Speaker for IEEE Malaysia Professional Development Event UM 2022 "stand Taller in Career With IEEE", (06 Jul 2022 - 06 Sep 2022) (National)

COURSE ATTENDED

Internal/ External Course
  1. PROGRAM PEMANTAPAN DAN PENGUKUHAN PASUKAN SERTA BINA SEMANGAT UNTUK KAKITANGAN PUSAT TANGGUNGJAWAB , ANJUNG JANDA BAIK, PAHANG (31 Oct 2025 - 02 Nov 2025)
  2. IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTING (ICOCO) 2025, KUCHING (05 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025)
  3. BENGKEL PERANCANGAN STRATEGIK PORTFOLIO TNC (P), DEWAN BANQUEST, ARAS 2. BANGUNAN AZMAN HASHIM, FAKULTI PERNIAGAAN & EKONOMI, UNIVERSITI MALAYA (01 Oct 2025 - 01 Oct 2025)
  4. KURSUS KEPIMPINAN INSTITUSI: MODUL 9 - TEKNOLOGI DAN PENDIGITALAN, AKADEMI KEPIMPINAN PENDIDIKAN TINGGI (AKEPT) KEMENTERIAN PENDIDIKAN TINGGI LEBUH ENSTEK 71760 BANDAR ENSTEK NEGERI SEMBILAN (20 May 2025 - 22 May 2025)
  5. PROGRAM TRANSFORMASI MINDA 2025 SIRI 1 , BILIK SENAT, ARAS 4, BANGUNAN CANSELERI (17 Feb 2025 - 20 Feb 2025)
  6. EMERALD RESEARCH AND SUPERVISION 2023, UNIVERSITI MALAYA (20 Jun 2023 - 22 Jun 2023)
  7. IEEE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPUTING 2022 (ICOCO), LE MERIDIEN, KOTA KINABALU (14 Nov 2022 - 16 Nov 2022)
  8. EMERALD TEACHING AND LEARNING 2022, ONLINE (08 Aug 2022 - 12 Aug 2022)
  9. KURSUS MICROSOFT OFFICE EXCELL CORE 2016, ARAS G, PTM (15 Aug 2018 - 16 Aug 2018)