Alena Naiakshina

Alena Naiakshina is a research expert specializing in software developer security and currently a professor at the University of Cologne. Her research focuses on user-friendly IT security systems, the security behavior of software developers, and the design methodology for security research. Prior to her role at the University of Cologne, she worked at Ruhr University Bochum and the University of Bonn, gaining extensive experience in research and teaching. Her goal is to improve software security by gaining deeper insight into developer behavior, while also enhancing research methods targeting developers. Her academic contributions span key areas such as password storage and usability security, with multiple publications at top-tier conferences.

• 2024–Present·University of Cologne·Professor
  • Focused on developer-centered IT security, researching the security behavior of software developers and related technologies.
• 2021–2024·Ruhr University Bochum·Professor
  • Held a professorship in developer-centered security, focusing on user-friendly IT security systems.
• 2017–2021·University of Bonn·Researcher
  • Part of the User Security and Privacy research group, specialized in password storage and developer behavior studies.

• 2014–2020·University of Bonn·Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.)
  • Research focused on security of password storage and developer behavior.
• 2014–2016·University of Bonn·Master's Degree
  • Major in Computer Science.