Researcher

Scientia Professor Gernot Heiser

My Expertise

I work on fundamental solutions to cybersecurity challenges by making systems truly trustworthy. I am the founder and leader of the Trustworthy Systems Research Group, known as world leaders in applying formal methods (i.e. mathematical proof techniques) for ensuring the security and safety of real-world computing systems. I have a strong track record of technology transfer through industry collaborations, consulting and startups.

My current research interests include:

Operating Systems, especially microkernels and microkernel-based systems
Cybersecurity, highly-secure and dependable systems, high-assurance systems, analysis and prevention of cyber threats
Real-time systems, especially operating systems for temporal safety
Virtualization
Embedded and Cyberphysical Systems
Architectural support for operating systems
Dependability

Please do not contact me if your interests are in AI, machine learning, blockchain and similar buzzwords

Keywords

cyber-physical systems

Fields of Research (FoR)

Operating systems, System and network security, Cyberphysical systems and internet of things, Formal methods for software

SEO tags

Computer Software and Services

Biography

I have been an academic at UNSW since completing my PhD in 1991. I am a full professor since 2002. Since 2009 I hold the John Lions Chair of Operating systems, and since 2011 the title of Scientia Professor.

Since its creation in 2003 I was a research program leader at NICTA, where I created what is now the Trustworthy Systems group, spanning NICTA and UNSW. NICTA got absorbed into CSIRO in 2017, and since 2021 the group is wholly at UNSW.

I...view more

I have been an academic at UNSW since completing my PhD in 1991. I am a full professor since 2002. Since 2009 I hold the John Lions Chair of Operating systems, and since 2011 the title of Scientia Professor.

Since its creation in 2003 I was a research program leader at NICTA, where I created what is now the Trustworthy Systems group, spanning NICTA and UNSW. NICTA got absorbed into CSIRO in 2017, and since 2021 the group is wholly at UNSW.

I have co-founded Open Kernel Labs in 2006 for commercialising my microkernel research outcomes. This has led to the L4-embedded microkernel being deployed on billions of mobile devices, including the secure enclave of all recent iOS devices, where it protects security-critical operations. OK Labs was sold to General Dynamics in 2012.

I am co-founder of Munich-based Secure Elements GmbH, and serve as Chief Scientist (Software) at its joint-venture company HENSOLDT Cyber GmbH, which develops a secure processor with an operating system based on my group's seL4 microkernel.

My Qualifications

BSc'82 physics (Freiburg)
MSc'84 physics (Brock)
PhD'91 computer engineering (ETH Zurich)

My Awards

Fellow, Engineers Australia 2022
Member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina 2022
ACM Software System Award 2022
Fellow of the Royal Society of NSW 2022
ACM SIGOPS Hall of Fame Award (2019) for the paper "seL4: Formal Verification of an OS Kernel" published at SOSP 2009.
Fellow of the IEEE 2016
South East Asia Regional Computer Confederation (SEARC) 2016 ICT Researcher of the Year
Australian Computer Society Digital Disruptor Award 2015 ICT Researcher of the Year
Fellow of the ACM 2014
Engineers Australia Entrepreneur of the Year 2014
Vice-Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence 2012
Winner (with L4.verified team) NICTA's 2010 A. Richard Newton Excellence in Research Impact Award
Warren Centre Innovation Hero Award, 2010
New South Wales Scientist of the Year 2009, Category Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
Winner NICTA's 2008 A. Richard Newton Excellence in Research Impact Award
2007 AIIA iAward, Category Applications and Infrastructure Tools

My Research Supervision

Supervision keywords

cyber security

operating system kernels

operating systems

Areas of supervision

I supervise honours and PhD thesis in my research areas. Most projects require a strong background in operating-system internals. I'm always looking for top students who want to be part of a team that's changing the world.