Dr. Michael Tsikerdekis is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, and also serves as a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Chair of the Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System (PISCES) Technical Advisory Committee. His work is situated at the intersection of computer science and social systems, while his research interests revolve around detecting and preventing online deception and related social engineering attacks, as well as cybersecurity, data mining, and machine learning.
Here, Tsikerdekis talks to Business Partners about his experience as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar in Greece and shares his thoughts on the program’s potential to help shape a better tomorrow.
Tell us a bit about your journey into academia and how you came to specialize in cybersecurity.
My journey into academia was unplanned. Like many in computer science, I initially saw myself in a traditional IT or software engineering role. While pursuing my PhD at and still working for IBM in Czechia, I assumed I was on a professional track. But opportunities to teach—first through presentations, then guest lectures, and eventually full courses—sparked an unexpected passion. Teaching felt almost magical, and combining it with research quickly became a clear path for me.
My early research explored social media platforms and the design factors influencing user behavior. After joining the University of Kentucky as an Assistant Professor, I began applying this knowledge to detecting online deception, from fake news to bots, which led me deeper into cybersecurity. Over time, my focus shifted toward network security, where I now work on securing systems through a blend of automation and human oversight.
Fulbright invests in the future through exchange and by building links between the two countries
As a Fulbright US Scholar in Greece, you have a dual affiliation with the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki and the Ionian University in Corfu. What is the focus of your work during this time with the program?
The core focus of my work in the Fulbright program is to help launch free security operation center (SOC) analysis services provided by universities to local municipalities. A secondary goal is to study the effectiveness of teaching students using live data and to identify any cross-cultural differences between the US and Greece throughout this process.
Back in the United States, I am involved in a nonprofit called the Public Infrastructure Security Cyber Education System—PISCES, which began operations in 2018 and is funded by various organizations including the Department of Homeland Security. PISCES acts as a liaison connecting universities with local municipalities that otherwise lack the resources to monitor their networks for security threats. My primary role in the organization is to serve as academic lead for developing the curriculum that universities use and to help onboard instructors who wish to teach students on live network data.
In Greece, my colleague Professor Ioannis Mavridis and I have been teaching a similar program at the University of Macedonia using real world data, and I’m also collaborating with Dr. Stylianos Karagiannis and Professor Emmanouil Magkos at Ionian University in Corfu to establish a similar initiative there. These efforts position universities to provide critical SOC services. The next step is to seek support from the Greek government, particularly the Ministry of Digital Governance. Projects like this are increasingly important for European governments, especially under the NIS2 directive, which emphasizes training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and strengthening network infrastructure security.
What are some of the key takeaways from your experience as a Fulbright scholar?
Although I identify as a Greek-born American, I had never developed a professional connection with Greece until recently. As an early-career academic in the US, much of my time was spent building my research profile and contributing domestically. Now, after 12 years in academia, I’ve finally found both the desire and opportunity to expand my collaborations internationally—and the Fulbright program has been the perfect vehicle for that.
Conducting research and teaching in a language I speak but had rarely used professionally has broadened my perspective. Observing operational differences between universities in the United States and Greece has given me valuable insights into how to foster more effective international collaborations. Some of the most memorable moments of my Fulbright experience have come from engaging with students in the classroom. Much like when I first began teaching during my PhD, I was initially nervous about how the students would respond. I’m happy to say they were enthusiastic, engaged, and eager to participate—making the experience both meaningful and rewarding.
How can academic exchanges such as the Fulbright Program contribute to stronger ties between Greece and the United States, particularly in STEM fields?
While the Fulbright Program clearly offers valuable research and educational opportunities, I believe its most significant longterm impact, at least in my experience, is that it invests in the future through exchange and by building links between the two countries. Today’s students will become tomorrow’s professionals, managers, and investors, making early exposure to international collaboration especially important.
The United States has long maintained a strong labor market with a demand for highly skilled talent. Greece, emerging from its economic crisis, presents a promising landscape for foreign investment, particularly in the IT sector. Trust is a foundational element in commerce, and programs like Fulbright, which foster direct exchange and knowledge sharing, help lay the groundwork for that trust. In this way, educational diplomacy doesn’t just build understanding—it creates pathways for sustainable, mutually beneficial economic relationships.
I may be slightly biased, but when it comes to investment opportunities in Europe, Greece stands out. It has a highly educated workforce in the IT sector and is, in both professional practices and cultural outlook, often closer to the US than many other countries in the region.
Fulbright Faculty Exchange
Expanding knowledge, Building brides
The Fulbright Scholar Program brings together leading U.S. and Greek faculty and researchers through short-term placements—U.S. scholars are hosted by Greek institutions, while Greek scholars conduct research or teach at institutions in the United States These exchanges foster lasting academic and professional collaborations that often continue beyond the grant period. Through teaching and research, Fulbright scholars create a multiplier effect—shaping future generations and advancing both local and global knowledge.
To learn more visit www.fulbright.gr
