CYBER-DEFENCE FELLOWSHIPS: Daniele Del Giudice

• How did you find out about the CYD Fellowships and what motivated you to apply?

I was looking for an internship and applied at the CYD Campus. It didn't work out in the end because of timing issues, but my interviewer informed me about Master Thesis opportunities and the CYD Fellowship. The timing worked better with a thesis rather than an internship so I applied a short while later and was accepted for both the thesis and the Fellowship!

• What was your CYD Fellowship project about?

I'm analyzing the security properties of a Decentralized Identity system called KERI. It uses very cool ideas on how to manage the keys and identities of actors in the system. I'm trying to show what works and what doesn't and to compare KERI to known systems and protocols.

• What were the advantages of conducting your master thesis project at the CYD Campus?

What I enjoy the most is spending times with the other students and professionals that work here. We also have a Student Exchange meeting every two weeks where students present their projects and we discuss their findings and the latest technologies and research. I feel like I learn a lot just by being here and talking with these very talented and motivated researchers.

• Did you as a child dream of working in cyber-defence?

Not specifically, but I did enjoy messing around with our computer at home trying to figure out how it worked and how it could possibly do all the incredible things it did. When I eventually broke it I promised myself I wouldn't be defeated by a machine and that I would eventually learn how they work and how to build things with them.

• What is driving you to pursue research in cyber-defence?

I think it is of primary importance to develop proper security and privacy-preserving standards on the internet to protect against hackers and mass surveillance. On a more personal level I find it stimulating that, because threats in the digital world are constantly evolving and adapting to the deployed security measures, the challenge of maintaining security never really gets boring.

• What is the most important lesson you have learned in your scientific career so far?

When learning something new, it is quite normal in the beginning to feel stupid or like you just don't get it. It's crucial to not get discouraged and keep trying, eventually things start making more sense and that's how you grow as a professional and as a person.

• What are you most proud of in your career to date?

When I moved to Switzerland to start my Bachelor in Computer Science at ETH I was 19 years old and pretty much terrified by the idea of moving here. The first year is really hard especially with the Basisprüfung and I also had to get used to living in a new country all by myself, but I'm very proud of how I handled it and the effort I put into being the best student I could and build a future for myself.

• Outside the lab, what do you enjoy doing most?

I'm a fitness enthusiast and (semi)professional scuba diver. I love to be in the sea or near a beach and enjoy the warm weather.

• What were your expectations about the CYD Fellowships?

I wasn't sure what to expect before I started, but mostly I was hoping to meet smart people that might help me find a direction for my career and stimulate me to grow professionally.

• Could you share some tips with future applicants who are considering applying for the CYD Fellowships?

Sure! Firstly, I encourage everyone to apply as it really is a great opportunity. Then, I think having a clear, structured plan on what and how you are attempting to research will go a long way for you. Lastly, just try to work on something that you are really passionate about, as that makes a huge difference when discussing the topic with other people and the impact and that your project can have.