Dr. Yash Patel | Robotic Security & Forensics Researcher

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Specializations

Cyber Security & Digital Forensics
Location

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

About me

I am a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU), India, specializing in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics of Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Emerging Technologies. My research investigates the security and forensics of robotic and embedded environments; vulnerability analysis, forensic frameworks, and threats facing modern intelligent systems.

My contributions span 15+ publications, 3 patents, 10+ invited talks, and multiple research grants including flagship work on ART-ADFIS-R, RoArch (RoboShell + RuFo), RoboXploit, and RoboAURA for securing and investigating robotic systems.

Resume

Curriculum Vitae

Research focus

Robotic Security

Securing robotic and embedded systems against emerging attacks.
Robotic Forensics

Investigating and reconstructing incidents in robotic environments.
Cyber-Physical Security & Forensics

Protecting and analyzing connected physical-digital systems.
Emerging Technologies Security & Forensics

Threat and forensic analysis for next-generation intelligent systems.

Research

Publications

Conference Papers

Conference C-007
qcROS2: An architecture to secure network communication of ROS2-based environment

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

8th International Conference on Robotics and Automation Engineering (ICRAE)

IEEE Singapore Nov 2023

A secure communication architecture for ROS2-based robotic environments using cryptographic mechanisms.

DOI / PDF
Conference C-006
Unmasking the vulnerabilities: A deep dive into the security threat landscape of humanoid robots

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

International Conference on Recent Innovations in Computing (ICRIC)

Springer India Oct 2023

Comprehensive analysis of the security threat landscape facing modern humanoid robotic systems.

DOI / PDF
Conference C-005
Are we ready to investigate robots? Issues and challenges involved in robotic forensics

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

International Conference on Recent Innovations in Computing (ICRIC)

Springer India Oct 2023

Examines the systemic gaps and challenges in conducting forensic investigations of robotic systems.

DOI / PDF
Conference C-004
Network forensic investigation of collaborative robots: A case study

Y. Patel, P. H. Rughani, & D. Desai

7th International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Robotics Research (ICMERR)

IEEE Poland Dec 2022

Case study on network-level forensic investigation methodology for collaborative robotic systems.

DOI / PDF
Conference C-003
Can robots harm? A technical survey on robots and their challenges

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

7th International Conference on Robotics and Automation Engineering (ICRAE)

IEEE Singapore Nov 2022

Technical survey of robot-related risks, attack vectors, and emerging challenges in the field.

DOI / PDF
Conference C-002
Analyzing security vulnerability and forensic investigation of ROS2: A case study

Y. Patel, P. H. Rughani, & D. Desai

8th International Conference on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (ICRAI)

ACM Singapore Nov 2022

Combined vulnerability assessment and forensic case study on the ROS2 middleware.

DOI / PDF
Conference C-001
Swarm ornithopter robirds: An architecture to protect aerospace for aerial defense

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

3rd International Conference on Robotics Systems and Vehicle Technology (RSVT)

ACM Singapore Jul 2022

Architecture using swarm ornithopter "robirds" for aerial defense and aerospace protection.

DOI / PDF

Journal Articles

Journal J-003
RoArch: A novel approach for handling security incidents in ROS-based systems

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems (IJCDS)

University of Bahrain Bahrain Apr 2025

A novel incident-handling framework for security events in ROS-based robotic environments.

DOI / PDF
Journal J-002
An examination of the security architecture and vulnerability exploitation of the TurtleBot3 robotic system

Y. Patel, P. H. Rughani, & T. K. Maiti

International Journal of Computing and Digital Systems (IJCDS)

University of Bahrain Bahrain Oct 2024

In-depth examination of TurtleBot3 security architecture and demonstrated exploitation of its vulnerabilities.

DOI / PDF
Journal J-001
A systematic analysis of robotic security and investigation

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Journal of Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (JCSDF)

NFSU India Dec 2023

Systematic analysis of the robotic security landscape and investigation methodologies.

DOI / PDF

Book Chapter

Book Chapter B-001
Robotic Security and Crimes: Safeguarding Medical Robotics in Healthcare

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Medical Robotics and Intelligent Healthcare Technologies: AI Applications to Improve Healthcare in Developing Countries

Elsevier ISBN 9780443247675 Oct 2025

Chapter on security and crime prevention for medical robotics in healthcare, especially in developing countries.

Link

Patents

Patent P-003
Autonomous Rover Robot for Comprehensive Crime Scene Investigation

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Indian Patent No. 592631

Indian Patent Office Granted Jun 2026

An autonomous rover robot designed for comprehensive on-site crime scene investigation and evidence collection.
Patent P-002
Real-Time Anomaly Detection and Forensic Investigation System for Robots (ART-ADFIS-R)

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Indian Patent No. 574362

Indian Patent Office Granted Nov 2025

Real-time anomaly detection and forensic investigation system tailored for robotic platforms.
Patent P-001
An Ornithopter to Protect Aerial Space

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Indian Patent No. 431078

Indian Patent Office Granted May 2023

Granted patent for an ornithopter-based system designed to protect aerial space.

Copyrights

Copyright CR-003
RoboXploit: Offensive Security Framework for Robotic Penetration Testing

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Diary No. SW-22565/2025-CO

Office of Copyrights, India Filed Jul 2025

Offensive security framework for performing penetration testing on robotic systems.
Copyright CR-002
RuFo (Robot Utility Forensics) Framework

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Registration No. SW-16970/2023

Office of Copyrights, India Registered Jul 2023

Forensics framework for utility-driven investigation of robotic systems.
Copyright CR-001
RoboShell Tool: A Robot Bash Session

Y. Patel, & P. H. Rughani

Registration No. SW-16967/2023

Office of Copyrights, India Registered Jul 2023

A bash-style interactive shell tool for working with robotic systems.

Projects

Project PR-005
Title of project five

Role: Co-Investigator · 2021–2022

Short description.
Repository / Link
Project PR-004
RoboAURA

Role: Researcher · 2021–2023

Short description.
Repository / Link
Project PR-003
RoboXploit

Role: Researcher · 2022–2023

Short description.
Repository / Link
Project PR-002
RoArch (RoboShell + RuFo Framework)

Role: Lead Developer · 2022–2024

Short description.
Repository / Link
Project PR-001
ART-ADFIS-R

Role: Principal Investigator · 2023–Present

Short description.
Repository / Link

Career

Education

Ph.D. in Cyber Security & Digital Forensics
March 2021 — December 2025
National Forensic Sciences University

Gandhinagar, India

Dissertation: Critical Analysis of Security and Investigation of Robots.

Supervisor: Dr. Parag Rughani.
M.Tech in Cyber Security & Incident Response
June 2018 — May 2020
National Forensic Sciences University

Gandhinagar, India

Dissertation: Cyber Threat Hunting.

Supervisor: Dr. Parag Rughani.
B.E. in Computer Engineering
June 2014 — May 2018
Gujarat Technological University

Gandhinagar, India

Dissertation: Author Junction.

Supervisor: Dr. Sejal Bhavsar.

Experience

Post-Doctoral Fellow
January 2026 — Present
National Forensic Sciences University

Gandhinagar, India

Lab In-charge of the Futuristic Cyber Forensics Lab (FCFL), leading research in cyber security and digital forensics of robotics, cyber-physical systems, and emerging technologies.
Doctoral Research Scholar
March 2021 — December 2025
National Forensic Sciences University

Gandhinagar, India

Research on robotic security and forensics — vulnerability analysis, penetration testing, defense strategies, and a complete forensic framework.
Lecturer
October 2024 — March 2025
National Forensic Sciences University

Gandhinagar, India

Coordinated the Indian Cyber Commando Training Program for 29 law enforcement officials; delivered lectures, labs, CTF challenges, and assessments.
Guest Faculty
August 2024 — September 2024
National Forensic Sciences University

Gandhinagar, India

Delivered Digital Forensics and VAPT lectures and labs; designed exercises and conducted assessments.
Visiting Researcher
February 2023 — March 2024
DA-IICT

Gandhinagar, India

Investigated TurtleBot3 vulnerabilities, performed security testing on autonomous robots, and documented forensic evidence for a robotics-specific framework.
Co-Founder
June 2020 — February 2021
NetClinch

Ahmedabad, India

Led client infrastructure security assessments, SOC operations, incident response, DLP enforcement, and audits.
Cyber Security & Risk Advisory Assistant
June 2019 — June 2020
Ernst & Young (EY)

Delhi-NCR, India

Conducted security assessments, strengthened IT defenses, directed SOC operations and DLP strategies, and performed compliance audits.
Project Trainee
July 2017 — April 2018
Digimation Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Ahmedabad, India

Designed and developed dynamic websites using Java and web best practices.
Project Intern
January 2016 — July 2017
Pristine InfoSolutions Pvt. Ltd.

Ahmedabad, India

Performed VAPT, enforced application security best practices, and developed secure coding standards.

Recognition

Awards & Honors

Feb 2026

Ph.D. Degree — NFSU 4th Convocation

Degree awarded by Hon'ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, the Chief Justice of India, and conferred by Padma Shri awardee Dr. J. M. Vyas, Vice Chancellor of NFSU.

Oct 2023

Felicitation by Padma Shri Dr. J. M. Vyas

Vice Chancellor, NFSU — for the Indian Patent on ornithopter-based aerial defense.

Jan 2022

Hall of Fame

National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU).

Apr 2021 — Mar 2023

NFSU Fellowship

Awarded the National Forensic Sciences University Fellowship.

Dec 2019

Award of Excellence

Ernst & Young (EY) — for outstanding performance.

Sep 2017

Hall of Fame

Intel Information Security.

Aug 2017

Hall of Fame

Intel Information Security.

Research Grants

₹2,00,000

Student Start-up & Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0)

Government of Gujarat

Feb 2023

₹5,00,000

National Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity

Data Security Council of India (DSCI)

Jan 2023

Invited Talks

“

AI in Crime Prevention & Investigation

Mongolia Officials · NFSU

Topics covered: Forensic acquisition of data from IoT devices; incident response management lifecycle.

Mar 2025

“

Cyber Crime Investigation

Tanzania Officials · NFSU

Topics covered: Forensic acquisition of data from IoT devices; incident response management lifecycle.

Mar 2025

“

Advance Course on Cyber Security & Digital Mobile Forensics

ITS Officers · NFSU

Topics covered: Cloud forensics; server/router acquisition; firewalls & IDS/IPS; VAPT phases; incident response management.

Mar 2025

“

Cyber Threat Intelligence & Forensics

ISEA, MeitY · MANIT

Topics covered: IoT Forensics.

Mar 2025

“

Advanced Cyber Security

DST Officers, Government of Gujarat · NFSU

Topics covered: Incident response management lifecycle.

Feb 2025

“

Introduction to Ransomware & Malware Analysis

GAIL (India) Ltd. · NFSU

Topics covered: Packet capturing & analysis techniques; volatile memory forensics.

Jan 2025

“

Faculty Development Program on Cyber Forensics

ISEA, MeitY · NFSU

Topics covered: IoT Forensics.

Jan 2025

“

CCTV Forensics

Tanzania Police Officers · ITEC Scheme, MEA, Government of India

Topics covered: Cybersecurity protocols for protecting video evidence.

Nov 2024

Community

Academic leadership and professional service to the research community.

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers

Member since June 2023

Association for Computing Machinery

Member since December 2022

Editorial & Reviewing Roles

Reviewer IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics & Security (T-IFS) Since 2024
Reviewer International Journal of Computing & Digital Systems (IJCDS) Since 2024

Technical Committees

TPC Member 11th ICRAE · Japan Nov 2026
TPC Member DFRWS APAC · Singapore Oct 2026
Sub-reviewer DFRWS USA · Arlington, Virginia Jul 2026
TPC MEMBER 10th ICRAE · China Nov 2025
TPC MEMBER ISEA National Workshop on Cyber Forensics · India Mar 2025
TPC MEMBER 9th ICRAE · Singapore Nov 2024
TPC MEMBER 8th ICRAE · Singapore Nov 2023

Volunteering & Leadership

India Coordinator Bootcamp on File System Forensics, NFSU Feb 2026

India Coordinator Hackathon on Anti-Forensics Detection, NFSU Feb 2026

India Volunteer Network Forensics & Future Trends Workshop, NFSU Jan 2026

India Volunteer Windows Malware Forensics FDP, NFSU Dec 2025

Australia Volunteer DFRWS APAC Oct 2024

India Committee Member Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), NFSU 2022 — 2024

India Volunteer India-UK Forensic Sciences & Cyber Security Conference, NFSU Dec 2023

India Volunteer 7th INTERPOL DFEG, NFSU Nov 2022

India Volunteer National Cyber Security Awareness, NFSU 2021 & 2022

India Volunteer Cyber Security Conclave, NFSU Oct 2021

India Volunteer 8th Annual INTERPA Conference, NFSU Feb 2019

India Class Representative Computer Engineering, GTU 2014 — 2018

Research focus

Robotic Security

Robotic Forensics

Cyber-Physical Security & Forensics

Emerging Technologies Security & Forensics

Publications

Conference Papers

qcROS2: An architecture to secure network communication of ROS2-based environment

Unmasking the vulnerabilities: A deep dive into the security threat landscape of humanoid robots

Are we ready to investigate robots? Issues and challenges involved in robotic forensics

Network forensic investigation of collaborative robots: A case study

Can robots harm? A technical survey on robots and their challenges

Analyzing security vulnerability and forensic investigation of ROS2: A case study

Swarm ornithopter robirds: An architecture to protect aerospace for aerial defense

Journal Articles

RoArch: A novel approach for handling security incidents in ROS-based systems

An examination of the security architecture and vulnerability exploitation of the TurtleBot3 robotic system

A systematic analysis of robotic security and investigation

Book Chapter

Robotic Security and Crimes: Safeguarding Medical Robotics in Healthcare

Patents

Autonomous Rover Robot for Comprehensive Crime Scene Investigation

Real-Time Anomaly Detection and Forensic Investigation System for Robots (ART-ADFIS-R)

An Ornithopter to Protect Aerial Space

Copyrights

RoboXploit: Offensive Security Framework for Robotic Penetration Testing

RuFo (Robot Utility Forensics) Framework

RoboShell Tool: A Robot Bash Session

Projects

Title of project five

RoboAURA

RoboXploit

RoArch (RoboShell + RuFo Framework)

ART-ADFIS-R

Education

Ph.D. in Cyber Security & Digital Forensics

M.Tech in Cyber Security & Incident Response

B.E. in Computer Engineering

Experience

Post-Doctoral Fellow

Doctoral Research Scholar

Lecturer

Guest Faculty

Visiting Researcher

Co-Founder

Cyber Security & Risk Advisory Assistant

Project Trainee

Project Intern

Awards & Honors

Ph.D. Degree — NFSU 4th Convocation

Felicitation by Padma Shri Dr. J. M. Vyas

Hall of Fame

NFSU Fellowship

Award of Excellence

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Research Grants

Student Start-up & Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0)

National Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity

Invited Talks

AI in Crime Prevention & Investigation

Cyber Crime Investigation

Advance Course on Cyber Security & Digital Mobile Forensics

Cyber Threat Intelligence & Forensics

Advanced Cyber Security

Introduction to Ransomware & Malware Analysis

Faculty Development Program on Cyber Forensics

CCTV Forensics

Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers

Association for Computing Machinery

Editorial & Reviewing Roles

Technical Committees

Volunteering & Leadership