PhD · Computer Science · RMIT University

Dr. Quang CAO

Postdoctoral Research Fellow | STAR Facilitator @ RMIT University

Specialising in Cybersecurity, Cryptography, Blockchain and Digital Forensics. Research published at IEEE S&P and ESORICS, the top venues in the field. Currently building secure multi-domain systems with industry for real-world Defence Command and Control (C2) systems.

nhat.quang.cao2@rmit.edu.au linkedin.com/in/nhat-quang-cao orcid.org scholar.google.com
$450K+ Scholarships and Grants Secured
4.67/5 Highest Teaching Score
10+ Years in Cyber
Dr. Quang Cao seated outside the University of Otago building
Dr. Quang Cao
career

Working Experience

Sep 2025 – Present
Melbourne, Australia
Research Fellow
RMIT University & C4i Pty Ltd
  • Developed secure software-based cross-domain data segregation architectures for multi-level security environments, with a prototype deployed in a Defence Command and Control environment.
  • Designed high-assurance security models aligned with industry Standards.
  • Research outcomes presenting at ADSTAR (4–6 August 2026, Adelaide, South Australia) in the e-Poster Session: Mission Driven; SoK paper under internal review.
Feb 2023 – Present
Melbourne, Australia
Online Lecturer & Associate Lecturer
RMIT & RMIT Online University
  • INTE2580 – Ethical Hacking and Security Testing [(Term 4 2025: mGTS 4.67/5) + (Term 4 2026: mGTS processing)].
  • INTE2665 – Introduction to Cyber Security [(Term 1 2025: mGTS 4.14/5) + (Term 1 2026: mGTS 4.23/5) + (Term 3 2026: mGTS processing)].
  • INTE1120 – Introduction to Information Security [(Term 3 2023: mGTS 3.89/5) + (Term 2 2024: mGTS 2.61/5)].
  • Tutoring and Marking ISYS3427 – Blockchain Solutions & Smart Contracts (Semester 1 2025)
  • Marking INTE2102 – Ethical Hacking for Cybersecurity (Semester 1 2025) and INTE1129 - Multi‐Factor Authentication (Semester 1 2024).
Mar 2025 – Dec 2025
Melbourne, Australia
Academic Supervisor
RMIT University
  • Supervising COSC2667 – Postgraduate Project of Data Science (Semester 1 & 2, 2025), guiding application of AI to real-world challenges.
  • Project outcomes contributed to enhancing existing company products and led to the creation of a new start-up venture.
Aug – Nov 2020
Melbourne, Australia
Cyber Security Analyst
RMIT University
  • Investigated cybersecurity and digital identity trends in Higher Education, formulating strategic lifelong learning identity solutions.
  • Established risk management strategies supporting proposed enterprise-level recommendations.
Jan 2015 – Sep 2021
Hue, Vietnam
Digital Forensic Investigator
Cyber Security Centre
  • Analysed data from computers, mobile devices, networks, and social media using EnCase, FTK, Wireshark, Hak5 kits, and Wondershare Dr.Fone.
  • Collected and preserved digital evidence in a forensically sound manner with thorough documentation of findings.
research

Research Projects

Sep 2025 – present
Secure Software-Based Multi-Domain Data Segregation
RMIT University & C4i Pty Ltd
Developed a security and architectural framework for multi-domain systems with prototype deployed in Defence Command and Control (C2) systems. Aligned with industry Standards.
Aug 2021 – Dec 2025
Privacy Protection for Verifiable Data Structures
RMIT University
PhD dissertation research evaluating verifiable data structures and Private Information Retrieval (PIR) schemes. Developed novel solutions to protect both client and server privacy and integrity.
Aug 2022 – Aug 2024
Efficient Private Information Retrieval for Ethereum Light Clients
RMIT University & UBC & Ethereum Foundation
Proposed QTreePIR: enhancing stateless client privacy in blockchains through Verkle Tree optimisation. Funded by the Ethereum Foundation Academic Grants Round 2022.
Feb 2024 – May 2024
Cohesive and Robust Human-Bot Cybersecurity Teams
RMIT University & Macquarie University
Investigated robust property-preserving hash (RPPH) as a defence mechanism against adversarial input attacks in image classification and malware detection.
Apr 2023 – Jul 2023
Decentralized Online Social Networks Privacy
RMIT University & University of the Aegean
Developed a new decentralised social network architecture protecting user privacy. Funded via Erasmus+ Mobility for Traineeship.
Oct 2020 – Aug 2021
Coding Theory in Blockchain
RMIT University
Analysed Reed-Solomon codes, Coded Merkle Trees, and Low Density Parity Check codes within blockchain system architectures for improved security.
output

Selected Publications

IEEE S&P 2025
TreePIR: Efficient Private Retrieval of Merkle Proofs via Tree Colorings with Fast Indexing and Zero Storage Overhead
Cao, Q., Dau, S.H., Gagiano, R., Huynh, D., Yi, X., Le, P.L., Luu, Q.H., Viterbo, E., Huang, Y.C., Zhu, J., Jalalzai, M.M., & Feng, C.
Acceptance rate: 14.3% · Cycle 1 — 106/739 papers accepted
ESORICS 2023
Committed Private Information Retrieval
Cao, Q., Tran, H.Y., Dau, S.H., Yi, X., Viterbo, E., Feng, C., ... & Kiah, H.M.
Acceptance rate: 18.5% · 478 submitted · Also presented at ADC 2023 Encore Track
academic

Education

PhD in Computer Science
RMIT University
Aug 2021 – May 2025 · Melbourne, Australia
Dissertation: Privacy Protection for Verifiable Data Structures.
Advisors: Dr. Son Hoang Dau & Prof. Xun Yi.
Publications: IEEE S&P 2025, ESORICS 2023, ADC 2023.
Master of Cyber Security — High Distinction
RMIT University
Jan 2019 – Jan 2021 · Melbourne, Australia
GPA: 3.64 / 4.00.
Advisors: A/Prof. Serdar Boztas & Dr. Joanne Hall.
Bachelor of Mechatronic Engineering (Honours)
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology
Sep 2009 – Apr 2014 · Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Advisors: A/Prof. Pham Huy Hoang.
Thesis: Design, Simulation and Control of Medical Bed with posture adjustment capability.
Multiple academic excellence scholarships.
grants

Scholarships & Grants

Google Travel Grant
Google Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. · Singapore
Travel Grant
Feb 2025 – Dec 2025
STEM Scholarship — ARC Discovery Project DP200100731
RMIT University · Melbourne
Scholarship
Aug 2021 – May 2025
Efficient PIR for Ethereum Light Clients — Academic Grants Round 2022
Ethereum Foundation · Switzerland
Research Grant
Aug 2022 – Aug 2024
RACE Merit Allocation Scheme — RMAS00012
RMIT AWS Cloud Supercomputing Hub · Melbourne
Research Grant
Jan 2024 – Dec 2024
Cohesive and Robust Human-Bot Cybersecurity Teams — AUSMURIIV000001
Macquarie University Cyber Security Hub · Sydney
Research Grant
Feb 2024 – May 2024
Erasmus+ Mobility for Traineeship
University of the Aegean via EU Funds · Greece
Research Grant
Apr 2023 – Jul 2023
Australia Award Scholarships
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) · Australia
Scholarship
Jan 2018 – Apr 2021
Scholarships for Outstanding Academic Performance
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology · Vietnam
Scholarship
Sep 2009 – Sep 2014
The Best Research Project for Young Scientists
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology · Vietnam
Research Grant
2012
Scholarships for Outstanding Academic Performance
Atlas Copco Vietnam Co., Ltd · Vietnam
Scholarship
2011
VietHope Scholarship for Vietnam's Development
VietHope (https://viethope.org) · Vietnam
Scholarship
2009
community

Associations & Service

AISA
Australian Information Security Association
Member · Jan 2023 – Present · Session Host · 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
ACS
Australian Computer Society
Member · Jul 2023 – Present
CCSRI
Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation · RMIT University
Member · Aug 2021 – Present
RISC
RMIT Information Security Collective
Member · Aug 2021 – Present
RMIT
Peer Mentor · RMIT University
Jun 2019 – Jun 2020 · During COVID-19