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George Makrakis, Ph.D.

OT Security Consultant | Cybersecurity Researcher

About Me

Georgios Michail Makrakis (a.k.a George Makrakis) main interests are Cybersecurity and Software Engineering especially on Industrial Internet of Thins (IIoT). Currently works as OT Security Consultant at Hudson Cybertec \ Kiwa NL. Holds commercial experience as Cybersecurity Researcher and Software Engineer. Has proven ability to prioritize tasks, collaborate with external parties, and design robust solutions. Graduated from the University of the Aegean with an Integrated Master’s in Information & Communication Systems Engineering specializing in cybersecurity and software engineering, and owns a Doctorate (Ph.D.) in Computer Science from University of Idaho.

Professional Experience

Plegma Labs S.A.

Software Engineer

Joined Plegma Labs as a member of the University's internship program, specialized on software development. Also provided DevOps solutions and had IoT security, as basic guideline in every project.

Idaho National Laboratory

Control Systems Cybersecurity Intern

Developed networking capabilities and cyberattack scenarios for nuclear power plant simulators that serve the purpose of evaluating the operators' responses against threats that can affect digital technologies in modern nuclear power plants.

University of Idaho

Research Assistant

Examined the effects that logic modification and network attacks have to the physical properties of ICSs/IoT devices using electromagnetic (EM) emissions analysis. Also, incorporated a secure-by-design architecture for Smart Grid applications based on IEC 62443.

Maritime IT Security research group - NHL Stenden

Cybersecurity Researcher

Delivered specialized expertise in ICS/OT network security, with a focus on maritime cybersecurity through applied research and stakeholder collaboration. Engaged into the development of a maritime-focused honeynet, and attacks/defenses of radar protocols, and the maintenance and enhancement of the Maritime Cyber Attack Database (MCAD).

Kiwa Nederland/Hudson Cybertec

OT Security Consultant

Assessing and improving the cybersecurity of Industrial Control Systems (ICS)/ Operational Technology (OT) environments. Consulting customers in various industrial sectors and supporting them in implementing security solutions that meet global security standards such as ISO 27001 and IEC 62443.

Education

University of Idaho

Aug 2019 - Aug 2026

Ph.D. - Computer Science - Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity

Research area: Proactive and reactive security for ICS/OT with the use of EM emissions analysis and Software-Defined Networking

University of the Aegean

Oct 2013 - Sept 2018

Bachelor - Integrated Master of Information and Communication Systems Engineering

First 3 years studied the fundamentals of ICT for the bachelor and the next 2 followed Security of Information and Communication Systems and Privacy, Communication Systems and Networks and Foundations of Computer Science as my technological directions of studies to receive the integrated master.

Volunteer Experience

Microsoft Student Partner

May 2017 - Present

Member of Microsoft Student Partners, a group under the auspices of Microsoft with mission to encourage students to participate in their local tech community and develop valuable technical, and career skills that will be beneficial for their future careers.

Selected Publications

G. M. Makrakis, C. Kolias, G. Kambourakis, C. Rieger, and J. Benjamin, "Industrial and Critical Infrastructure Security: Technical Analysis of Real-Life Security Incidents," IEEE Access, vol. 9, pp. 165295-165325, 2021

G. M. Makrakis, D. Roberson, C. Kolias, and D. Cook, "Evaluation of SDN security measures in the context of IEC 62443-3-3", in International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 2024, pp. 1-12

G.M. Makrakis, J. Pijpker, R. Hassing, R. Loves, S. McCombie, "Salty seagull: A VSAT Honeynet to Follow the Bread Crumb of Attacks in Ship Networks", in European Symposium on Research in Computer Security, 363-381

Projects

EasyModbusTCP.NET - MODBUS/TCP Security

Implementation of MODBUS/TCP Security for a highly adopted MODBUS/TCP for .NET

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Zeek IEC 104

A Zeek Parser for the IEC 60870-5-104 protocol (aka IEC 104) built using Spicy.

View Project

Blogs

Skills