My research interests involve Cybersecurity, Secure Software Development, Data Protection and Data Privacy, Privacy Engineering, and Regulatory Compliance in Software Systems.

Dr Vanessa Ayala-Rivera is a Lecturer at the School of Informatics and Cybersecurity within the Faculty of Computing, Digital, and Data at TU Dublin Blanchardstown campus.

She holds a PhD in Computer Science which specialized in Data Anonymization from the University College Dublin (UCD). 

She also has extensive experience in the IT industry where she has worked as a software engineer and technical analyst. She is also a certified Scrum Master, Java Programmer, and Java Web Developer.

As a lecturer, she has taught modules like Application Security (MSc), Secure Web Programming (MSc), Data Governance(MSc), Research Skills(MSc), and Cybersecurity Fundamentals(MSc, BSc).

As an academic, she has served as Programme Director for an MSc in Cybersecurity programme, external examiner for program reviews, reviewer for prestigious journals and conferences, and member of programme committees for conferences.