Sherif Hashem

Sherif Hashem is a professor in the Department of Information Sciences and Technology at George Mason University. An internationally recognized strategist in cybersecurity and digital transformation, he serves on the African Union Cybersecurity Expert Group and is the former chair of the Board of Directors of FIRST.

Hashem holds a PhD in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and is a Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). With over 3,400 citations, his work bridges academic community, technical engineering, and global policy.

Research Interests

• Cybersecurity Strategy: Developing national cybersecurity frameworks and critical information infrastructure protection (CIIP).
• AI and Machine Learning: Utilizing AI/ML for cyber threat detection and transfer learning in digital transformation.
• Global Cyber Diplomacy: Enhancing international cooperation through the African Union and FIRST.
• Security Management: Strategic oversight of risk and Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs).
• Digital Policy: Advising on digital market evolution, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity frameworks in emerging economies.

Teaching Interests

• Cybersecurity
• Artificial Intelligence
• IT and the Global Economy

Strategic Leadership and Speaking Engagements

Hashem is a frequent speaker at major international forums, where he provides strategic interventions on cybersecurity governance, digital inclusion, and incident response.   

Selected Recent Engagements:

• United Nations Headquarters, NY (May 2024) and virtual interventions (January and June 2025): Representative of FIRST at the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) intersessional meetings.
• OSCE Headquarters, Vienna (September 2024): Panelist, Strengthening Cyber/ICT Security through Confidence Building and Cooperation.
• FIRST and AfricaCERT Regional Symposium (2024): Featured Speaker, addressing Africa's digital economy vulnerabilities and the role of capacity building in regional security. 

Selected Recent Publications and Reports

• Journal of Cyber Policy (2024): ‘Leapfrogging’ or ‘lagging’? CIIP challenges in Egypt and Nigeria.
• GFCE/Global Affairs Canada (2022): Cyber Incident Management in Low-Income Countries.
• Future Technologies Conference (2022): Fine-Grained Categorization Using Transfer Learning Networks.
• J. Systemics, Cybernetics and Informatics (2019): Towards a National Cybersecurity Strategy: The Egyptian Case.

Keywords: Cybersecurity Strategy, AI Ethics, Digital Transformation, International Cyber Policy, CSIRT Management, Information Security.