Friday O. Ikwuogu

Independent Researcher (AI & Critical Infrastructure)

Welcome ! I am a computer science and electrical engineering researcher whose work focuses on the design, analysis, and optimization of modern communication networks. My research examines how software‑defined networking (SDN), artificial intelligence, and cloud‑native architectures can enhance the performance, resilience, and security of next‑generation wireless and distributed systems. More broadly, I study intelligent network infrastructures through mathematical modeling, simulation, and empirical evaluation.

Since 2026 I have also run an independent research program on the security of U.S. energy operational technology: open datasets, tools, and reports on OT vulnerability prioritization, post-quantum cryptographic readiness, and alignment of pipeline and grid cybersecurity requirements, built for operators without dedicated security teams. See Research for the full list with DOIs.

I hold an MS in Computer Science from the University of Texas Permian Basin, an MS in Information Technology from the National Open University of Nigeria, and a BS in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Ibadan. My academic work spans computer networking, machine learning, distributed systems, and cybersecurity, with particular emphasis on SDN‑enabled control, 5G/6G architectures, and system‑level analysis of communication infrastructures.

I contribute to the scholarly community as a Senior Member of IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society and as a peer reviewer for IEEE Access. My industry experience includes supporting enterprise network and identity infrastructure across critical U.S. energy operations.

My long‑term research agenda centers on developing intelligent, autonomous, and resilient communication systems that integrate AI‑driven optimization with software‑defined and cloud‑native architectures. Outside academia, I co‑founded ABBI Elite Forum, a nonprofit professional development platform.

Recent News

  • 2026 — Filed a public comment with NIST on modernizing the National Vulnerability Database, drawing on my ICS advisory dataset build.
  • 2026 — Released open datasets, tools, and reports on energy OT vulnerability prioritization and post-quantum readiness (see Research).
  • 2026 — Attended the 34th COREN Engineering Assembly, participating in technical sessions on engineering innovation and infrastructure development.
  • 2025 — Published “Securing Software-Defined Networks (SDN) Against Emerging Cyber Threats in 5G and Future Networks: A Comprehensive Review” in IJERT.
  • 2024 — Completed M.S. in Computer Science at the University of Texas Permian Basin with a 4.00/4.00 GPA.