Shaila Rana, Ph.D., cybersecurity and AI security researcher

Shaila Rana, Ph.D.

Shaila Rana, Ph.D., is a cybersecurity researcher, author, and educator specializing in generative AI security, zero trust architecture, and cybersecurity governance. Her work focuses on securing AI systems, mitigating AI-enabled threats, and advancing trust technologies through research, standards development, and education.

Books & Publications
Author of multiple books and peer-reviewed publications published by Wiley-IEEE Press, Springer Nature, and international conferences.

Standards & Leadership
Chair, IEEE Standards Association Industry Connections Activity on Zero Trust Cybersecurity. IEEE Transmitter and IEEE Senior Member.

Research Focus
Generative AI Security · Zero Trust Architecture · Cybersecurity Governance.

Books

  • Generative AI Security: Defense, Threats, and Vulnerabilities
    Wiley-IEEE Press, 2025

  • Fortifying the Future: Harnessing AI for Transformative Cybersecurity Training
    Springer Nature, 2024

Book cover for 'Generative AI Security: Defense, Threats, and Vulnerabilities' by Shaila Rana and Rhonda Chicone, published by IEEE Press and Wiley. The cover features a digital background with floating characters, lines of code, and digital icons in blue and orange tones.
Book cover titled "Fortifying the Future" by Shaila Rana and Rhonda Chicone, about harnessing AI for cybersecurity training, published by Springer.

Selected Publications & Contributions

  • S. Rana and R. Chicone, "Enhancing Emotional Intelligence in Cybersecurity: A Quantitative Study on Generative AI's Impact," 2025 IEEE 4th World Conference on Applied Intelligence and Computing (AIC), GB Nagar, Gwalior, India, 2025, pp. 449-454, doi: 10.1109/AIC66080.2025.11211894.

  • S. Rana and R. Chicone, "Revolutionizing Cybersecurity Training: An Empirical Study on the Relationship Between Traditional Methods and Interest in Virtual Reality Modules," 2024 2nd International Conference on Intelligent Metaverse Technologies & Applications (iMETA), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2024, pp. 222-237, doi: 10.1109/iMETA62882.2024.10807914.

  • Rana, S., & Chicone, R. (2024). Navigating the paradox of AI in cybersecurity: unpacking societal optimism and ethical skepticism. Issues in Information Systems, 25(1).

  • Rana, S., & Chicone, R. (2024). Trusting AI in cybersecurity: an empirical study of perceptions on ethical decision-making. Issues in Information Systems, 25(2).

  • Rana, S., & Chicone, R. (2023). The influence of gender and acceptance of VR cybersecurity training platforms. Issues in Information Systems, 24(1).

  • Chicone, R., & Rana, S. (2023). The influence of traditional cybersecurity training on user attitudes towards VR cybersecurity training. Issues in Information Systems, 24(1).

  • Standards development and industry guidance through IEEE

Shaila Rana, PhD, is frequently quoted in national and international media on topics related to AI security, cybersecurity risk, online scams, and emerging threats. Her expert commentary has appeared in outlets including NPR, Newsweek, CSO Online, The Conversation, and The Daily Upside.

Newsweek

  • Experts Share What Gen Alpha’s Future Jobs Could Look Like
    Read article

  • Scam Emails: People Most Likely to Fall for Them, Revealed by Experts
    Read article

The Conversation

  • How to Avoid the Latest Generation of Scams This Holiday Season
    Read article

The Daily Upside

  • How the Bot Epidemic Threatens Enterprise Security
    Read article

Fierce Network

  • Cloudflare Behind Latest Outage That Broke the Internet
    Read article

CSO Online

  • CISOs Grapple With the Realities of Applying AI to Security Functions
    Read article

  • CISOs Advised to Rethink Vulnerability Management as Exploits Sharply Rise
    Read article

  • Women Cyber Leaders Are on the Rise and Paying It Forward
    Read article

  • Will AI Agent–Fueled Attacks Force CISOs to Fast-Track Passwordless Projects?
    Read article

  • A CISO’s Guide to Monitoring the Dark Web
    Read article

NPR

RESEARCH & FOCUS AREAS

  • Generative AI security and model protection

  • AI-enabled attacks and defensive security controls

  • Zero trust architecture and trust frameworks

  • Cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance

  • Secure AI adoption in enterprise and healthcare environments