Associate Professor
21 years of experience
Pioneering advancements in social media forensics have redefined investigative methodologies in the digital era. In 2019, a formal model was introduced that unified temporal, geospatial, behavioral, and textual dimensions of social media activity, enabling a multidimensional approach to criminal investigations. Automated investigative functions were subsequently developed to process massive, heterogeneous online datasets—capabilities that remain critical for law enforcement and intelligence agencies facing the scale and velocity of modern digital evidence.
These innovations have demonstrated tangible societal impact. A research project conducted from March 2021 to June 2023 revealed a strong correlation between peaks in aggressive online communication and real-world incidents of violence and protest in Pakistan. The findings provide actionable early-warning indicators for public safety agencies, support crisis management strategies, and inform platform governance policies, demonstrating the practical application of academic research to national stability and security.
Beyond forensic innovation, work in blockchain-based PropTech solutions is enhancing the integrity of real estate transactions through secure, transparent, and tamper-proof digital records. At the national level, a skills-mapping initiative is measuring the IT competencies of Pakistani youth against global industry taxonomies, aligning workforce development with international market demands. In the digital governance sphere, secure communication frameworks are being designed to safeguard freedom of speech while countering misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda.
Technical expertise spans specialized investigative and analytical platforms, including Wireshark for advanced network protocol analysis, FTK Imager for forensic disk imaging, X1 Social Discovery for social media and web evidence collection, and custom OSINT scrapers for platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. Proficiency includes Linux environments for secure deployment, RapidMiner for predictive analytics, blockchain analysis platforms such as Infinity, and penetration testing suites—Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, John the Ripper, Aircrack-ng—validated by Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credentials.
Extensive operational experience includes the installation, configuration, and integration of investigative technologies in academic, industrial, and government environments; troubleshooting of hardware/software interoperability and performance issues; and optimization of high-volume data workflows. These activities are supported by a strong record in capacity building, through the design and delivery of specialized training programs and the authorship of technical manuals tailored to law enforcement, research institutions, and IT professionals.
Recognition in the Stanford University–Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists list for 2023 and 2024 reflects both scholarly excellence and the translation of research into operational outcomes. The portfolio of work demonstrates a sustained ability to bridge theoretical innovation with applied technological solutions—strengthening investigative capabilities, advancing public policy, and reinforcing the technological resilience of institutions operating in complex, data-driven environments
With over two decades of professional experience in cybersecurity, digital forensics, and advanced data analytics, I have developed deep expertise in the deployment, maintenance, troubleshooting, and user training of specialized industrial, scientific, and investigative equipment. My career has focused on integrating cutting-edge tools and platforms into operational workflows, ensuring they are configured for optimal performance in law enforcement investigations, academic research, and technical training environments.
I possess extensive hands-on experience with Wireshark for advanced network protocol analysis and packet inspection, a critical tool in diagnosing network issues, optimizing performance, and uncovering security breaches. My forensic capabilities are strengthened by proficiency in FTK Imager (AccessData) for forensic disk imaging and evidence acquisition, ensuring chain-of-custody compliance and admissibility in legal contexts. I also specialize in X1 Social Discovery and a suite of custom OSINT social media scrapers—including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube data extraction tools—for gathering and analyzing large-scale open-source intelligence. These platforms have been instrumental in high-profile cybercrime investigations, academic research projects, and strategic threat assessments.
My expertise extends to Linux environments, where I configure and manage secure platforms for penetration testing, forensic analysis, and tool deployment. I have worked extensively with CEH-certified ethical hacking toolkits, including Nmap, Metasploit, Burp Suite, John the Ripper, and Aircrack-ng, for vulnerability assessments, intrusion detection, and security hardening in enterprise and academic networks. In the domain of advanced analytics, I utilize RapidMiner and other big-data analysis tools for predictive modeling, anomaly detection, and investigative intelligence.
In blockchain-based investigations, I leverage platforms such as Infinity to perform transaction tracing, smart contract audits, and decentralized ledger analysis—skills applied in financial crime detection and blockchain research. I also integrate Mendeley for research project coordination, technical writing, and academic collaboration, enabling seamless documentation and citation management.
Throughout my career, I have led the installation, calibration, and operationalization of these systems across multiple environments, ensuring smooth integration with existing IT infrastructure. My troubleshooting expertise covers diagnosing software incompatibilities, resolving configuration errors, and optimizing systems for speed and efficiency under high-data-load conditions.
I have designed and delivered comprehensive training programs for technical teams, law enforcement units, and academic cohorts, covering both theoretical and practical applications of the equipment. These programs often include the development of custom training manuals and technical SOPs, ensuring knowledge retention and compliance with procedural standards. My instructional approach is hands-on, scenario-based, and tailored to the operational realities of each audience—ranging from investigative teams handling sensitive evidence to graduate students learning advanced network forensics.
Certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) underpin my technical credibility, while my recognition in the Stanford University–Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientists list (2023, 2024) reflects the global impact of my applied research and technical contributions. My work bridges industrial-grade investigative technology, academic excellence, and practical problem-solving, enabling organizations to maintain, secure, and fully leverage specialized equipment in high-stakes environments
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-humaira-arshad-85b689323/ https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=J4eso6UAAAAJ&hl=en https://www.iub.edu.pk/author/Humera.Arshad
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