Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Jacques Ophoff

Dr, PhD (Information Technology)

Accepting PhD Students

20122026

Research activity per year

Personal profile

Personal profile

Accepting PhD Students.

I'm a Reader in Cybersecurity and Resilience in the Department of Cybersecurity and Computing where I teach various security-related topics at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including security in software engineering, information security management, and human aspects of security.

My research focuses on all levels of cybersecurity from individual to national level. I'm particularly interested in management and human aspects of security. To date I have supervised 70+ postgraduate research projects to completion.

Teaching

Module leader: Software Engineering Practice (CMP307); Engineering Resilient Systems (CMP417, CMP510); Understanding the Cybersecurity Threat (CYB393)

Research interests

My research focuses primarily on information and cybersecurity. This includes a broad range of topics ranging from technical implementations, to management, and behavioural factors. Individuals are often considered to be the weakest link in security and I have a particular interest in human factors in (also called behavioural) security. Current problems I’m investigating are how to motivate secure behaviours in individuals and organisations, and understanding resistance to security recommendations. I also have an interest in the related area of information privacy.

Esteem

I'm Vice-Chair of IFIP Working Group 11.8, which focuses on information security education. I hold an Honorary Research Associate position at the University of Cape Town, South Africa (2020-present). I was the SICSA Cyber Security research theme co-lead (2021-2025). I'm an Associate Editor for the Journal of Intellectual Capital (Securing the Organization's Knowledge and Information). 

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  3. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  4. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  5. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Jacques Ophoff is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
  • Bridging the curricula gap: integrating indicators of compromise into cybersecurity education

    Braund, D. & Ophoff, J., 3 Jun 2026, Information Security Education: Educational Strategies for Developing the Future Cybersecurity Workforce: 18th IFIP WG 11.8 World Conference, WISE-IFIP 2026, Perth, Australia, June 9–11, 2026, Proceedings. Leung, W. S., Lynette, D. & Tejay, G. (eds.). Cham: Springer, p. 3-17 15 p. (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (IFIPAICT); vol. 789).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Open Access
    File
    5 Downloads (Pure)
  • Mind the gap: exploring perceptions of cyber security in the SME context

    Button, D. J., Ophoff, J., Irons, A. & McDonald, S., 19 May 2026, In: Information and Computer Security. 34, 2, p. 231-245 15 p.

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Open Access
    File
    155 Downloads (Pure)
  • Short paper: Evaluating the capabilities of AI-based penetration testing tools

    Ophoff, J., Egbu, I. & Kavianpour, S., 1 May 2026, Computer Security. ESORICS 2025 International Workshops: ANUBIS 2025, SSECAI 2025, SecAssure 2025, STMUS 2025, Toulouse, France, September 22–24, 2025, Revised Selected Papers, Part II. Laborde, R., Garcia-Alfaro, J., Blanc, G., Gimenez, P.-F., Kalutarage, H., Yanai, N., Shukla, A., Pirbhulal, S., Posegga, J. & Lam, K.-Y. (eds.). Cham: Springer, Vol. Part II. p. 296-305 10 p. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS); vol. 16232).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

  • Digital evidence: a legal practitioner's perspective

    Egbu, I., Ophoff, J. & McKay, A., 23 Apr 2025, Proceedings of the International Conference on Cybersecurity, Situational Awareness and Social Media - Cyber Science 2024: Cyber Science 2024; 27–28 June; Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland. Jaatun, M. G., Onwubiko, C., Rosati, P., Rege, A., Hindy, H., Erola, A. & Bellekens, X. (eds.). Singapore: Springer, p. 303-317 15 p. (Springer Proceedings in Complexity).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

    Open Access
    File
    6 Downloads (Pure)
  • Factors contributing to cybersecurity fatigue

    Norton, C., Ruhwanya, Z. & Ophoff, J., 30 Oct 2025, Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance: 19th IFIP WG 11.12 International Symposium, HAISA 2025, Mytilene, Greece, July 7–9, 2025, proceedings. Furnell, S. & Clarke, N. (eds.). Cham: Springer, p. 198-211 14 p. (IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology (IFIP AICT); vol. 761).

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution