October 31, 2024

World-renowned cyber security researcher receives NSW Premier’s Prize

Distinguished Professor Willy Susilo among state’s brightest minds celebrated in ceremony at Government House

Distinguished Professor Willy Susilo, world-leading cryptographer and Australian Laureate Fellow, has been honoured with the award for Excellence in Engineering or Information and Communication Technology as part of the 2024 NSW Premier’s Prizes for Science and Engineering.

The recipients of the prestigious annual prizes were announced last night (Wednesday 30 September) during a ceremony at Government House.

Professor Susilo, Head of the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) School of Computing and Information Technology and the Institute of Cybersecurity and Cryptology (iC2), is a renowned researcher in cybersecurity, cryptology, and information security.

He has spent almost 30 years at the forefront of breakthroughs in these fields; he has been awarded more than $200 million in government and industry research funding and received an astonishing 23 grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC).

The NSW Premier's Prizes for Science & Engineering seek to recognise excellence in science and engineering, and reward leading researchers for cutting-edge work that has generated economic, environmental, health, social or technological benefits for New South Wales.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC, the Governor-General of NSW, oversaw the ceremony at Government House, where Professor Susilo joined some of the state’s best scientists and researchers.

He was delighted to have received the prize, which also aims to raise community awareness and appreciation of the important contribution scientists and engineers make to our daily lives and recognizes those who are nurturing the next generation of talent.

“I am deeply honored to accept this prestigious award. This accolade not only acknowledges my individual contributions and the collective efforts of my dedicated team in the field of cybersecurity and cryptology research, but it also underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity and cryptology research in practical applications,” Professor Susilo said.

“This award is a testament to my three-decade-long journey in the realms of cybersecurity and cryptology, reflecting the persistent dedication, innovation, and advancements we have achieved. It serves as a reminder of the vital role that cybersecurity plays in safeguarding our digital world, and it inspires us to continue our pursuit of excellence in this ever-evolving field.”

Last year, Professor Susilo was awarded a $3 million ARC Laureate Fellowship, to deliver new cryptography solutions to enhance cloud computing security.

He has contributed more than 700 high-impact publications to his field, with an h-index of 86 and over 27,000 citations. His work has solved long-term challenges previously thought impossible and been cited in 65 international patents lodged by high-profile entities including Microsoft, IBM, Samsung, Nokia and Panasonic.

UOW Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Sustainable Futures) Senior Professor Eileen McLaughlin congratulated Professor Susilo on his outstanding achievement.

“Professor Susilo’s research is at the forefront of cybersecurity and cryptology, at a time when the world is grappling with the implications of technology across every aspect of our lives. His work is urgent and vital.

“Congratulations, Professor Susilo, on this well-deserved recognition, on behalf of the entire UOW community. Your achievements are a testament to the impact one person can make in the pursuit of knowledge."