ANNOUNCEMENT OF DEFENSE OF DISSERTATION RESEARCH
The faculty of the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering department is pleased to issue an invitation to Mr. Ahmed M. Abdelmagid’s defense of the research conducted for his dissertation.
The defense is open to the public.
Date: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026,
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Location: Engineering Systems Building, EMSE Conference Room 2101A
Main Online Access: Via Zoom Meeting ID: 940 7631 2462 Passcode: 167753
https://odu.zoom.us/j/94076312462?pwd=oilmnT3xjl2RhrKube1gSjgnVxJwBR.1&from=addon
Alternate Online Access: Via Teams Meeting ID: 254 332 616 683 63 Passcode: ps9dH6Qn
Doctoral Candidate: Ahmed M. Abdelmagid
AN INTEGRATED BAYESIAN NETWORK−BASED ZERO TRUST MODEL TO QUANTIFY CYBER RISK IN SMALL−MEDIUM BUSINESSES
Director: Barry C. Ezell
Abstract:
Small-Medium businesses (SMBs) play a pivotal role in the worldwide economy as they constitute the most considerable portion of businesses in developed countries like the UK and the US. As such, SMBs are most likely targeted by cybercrimes and malicious agents because of their vulnerable IT systems. The digital infrastructure of SMBs is more likely to be hit by cyberattacks than large businesses due to many factors that facilitate hackers’ missions. These factors include a limited financial budget devoted to cybersecurity, a lack of knowledge, an underrating of how dangerous cyber threats are, and a shortage of IT expertise.
The increasing sophistication of cyberattacks presents SMBs with an expanding array of security challenges. As these threats grow more complex, the demand for robust and advanced cybersecurity measures has become more critical than ever. A proactive stance is essential to mitigate potential cyber intrusions effectively. Emerging technologies, such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and the Zero Trust security framework, provide valuable solutions for fortifying the digital resilience of SMBs. Among these, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) stands out as a pivotal strategy for safeguarding SMBs. Although the implementation of ZTA has been explored across various business contexts, limited attention has been given to addressing the unique financial, human resource, and capability constraints faced by SMBs.
Short Biography:
AHMED M. ABDELMAGID is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department at Old Dominion University. He holds a Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Systems from the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), and a Bachelor of Science in Production Engineering from Alexandria University. His research interests include integrating robust cybersecurity frameworks to manage cyber risks targeting constrained budget organizations.