I am a Lecturer in the Department of Computing and Course Leader for BSc Computer Science and the BSc Cyber Security Technical Professional (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship. I hold a PhD in Computer Science and have extensive experience teaching across undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship and distance-learning provision.
My academic and professional background spans computer systems, cybersecurity, digital forensics, and applied computing. I am particularly interested in ensuring that computing education remains rigorous, relevant, and strongly aligned with industry and professional practice. As Course Leader, I work closely with students, academic colleagues, employers and professional bodies to support high-quality curriculum design, inclusive teaching, and strong graduate outcomes.
Alongside teaching and course leadership, I am research-active in areas related to digital forensics, cybercrime and intelligent systems, and I contribute to national-level curriculum development through my involvement in apprenticeship standard review activity. I am passionate about student development and enjoy supporting learners from diverse backgrounds as they progress into professional practice or further study.
Outside of academia, I stay active through the gym and follow football, F1, and tennis.
Professional memberships and activities
- Fellow of Advance HE (FHEA)
- Member, Cyber Security Level 6 Integrated Professional Apprenticeship Standard Review (Trailblazer Group)
Academic qualifications
- PhD Computer Science, University of Staffordshire. Thesis: An Internet of Things Forensics Framework Validated by Machine Learning
- Postgraduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education (PGCHPE), University of Staffordshire
- MSc Digital Forensics & Cybercrime Analysis, University of Staffordshire
- BSc Information Technology, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Expertise
- Digital forensics and cybercrime investigation
- Cyber security principles and practices
- IoT forensics and smart-environment investigations
- Applied computing and computer systems
- Digital forensic tools and platforms (EnCase, XRY, Cellebrite, Autopsy, CAINE, FTK, Wireshark)
- Research methods and project supervision
- Curriculum design and programme leadership
Research interests
- Internet of Things (IoT) forensics
- Digital forensics processes and tool validation
- Cybercrime investigation and evidence integrity
- Machine Learning for Forensic Analysis
- Smart environments and simulated forensic testing
Teaching
I teach across undergraduate, postgraduate, apprenticeship and specialist provision in Computer Science, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics. My teaching includes modules in digital forensics, cybercrime analysis, IT infrastructure security, research methods, and final-year and postgraduate projects.
The modules I teach are:
- Cyber Security Principles and Practices: COCS71200 - Level 7 (Apprenticeship)
- Advanced Cybercrime Forensics Analysis: COCS70658
- Cybercrime Forensic Analysis: COCS71193
- Digital Forensics: COMP70041
- Research Methods and Dissertation Proposal: COMP70062
- Computing and Operating Systems: COMP70072
- IT Infrastructure Security: COMP60013
- Digital Forensics For Intelligence Advanced Practice: COCS60402 - Level 5 (MOD)
- Digital Forensics For Intelligence: Fundamentals: COCS60635
- Digital Forensics Fundamentals: COMP50066
- Individual Project: COMP30025
Publications
- Lutta, P. (2024). An Internet of Things Forensics Framework Validated by Machine Learning. PhD thesis, University of Staffordshire. Available via the Staffordshire Online Repository.
- Lutta, P., Sedky, M., Hassan, M., Bakhtiari Bastaki, B., & Aly, A. (2024). Towards a Practical IoT Forensic Process Through a Simulated Smart Home Environment. Preprint, SSRN.
- Lutta, P., Sedky, M., Hassan, M., & Bakhtiari Bastaki, B. (2021). The complexity of Internet of Things forensics: A state-of-the-art review. Forensic Science International: Digital Investigation, Elsevier.
- Lutta, P., Sedky, M., & Hassan, M. (2020). The forensic swing of things: Legal and technical challenges of IoT forensics. International Journal of Computer and Information Engineering.
- Pantaleon, L., & Hassan, M. (2017). An investigation into the impact of rooting Android devices on user data integrity. IEEE International Conference on Emerging Security Technologies.