01
Unihack × Centauri Media Hackathon · 1st Place
Hackathon Win · UX Design, User Research, Prototyping +1
Cyber Security Student & Developer · Birmingham, UK
Bilal Arshad
BSc (Hons) Cyber Security student at Birmingham City University, predicted First Class Honours. Building secure systems, breaking things ethically, and bridging technology with the real world.
1st
Predicted Class
D*D*D*
Level 3 Diploma
2+
Years Leadership
4+
Tech Projects
01 · About
Who Am I
Currently running bsc --degree=cybersecurity at Birmingham City University, where I spend a healthy amount of time breaking things legally, fixing them properly, and occasionally staring at error messages like they've personally offended me. Through coursework and hands-on projects I've built solid skills in Python, Linux, networking, and ethical hacking, spent a summer at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul studying applied AI, and co-founded a software security consultancy putting it all into practice.
Alongside the degree, I'm a Visiting Demonstrator and Vice President at the BCU Student Computing Association (SCA), where I run events, push practical learning, and try to build opportunities that actually feel useful, not just good on paper.
Degree
Predicted: 1st Class
BSc Cyber Security
Experience
Leadership & Tech
2+ Years
Projects
Shipped & Documented
4+
Grade
Level 3 Diploma
D*, D*, D*
Focus Areas
Cyber SecurityPenetration TestingNetwork EngineeringPython DevelopmentLinux AdministrationForensicsCryptographyCloud Security
02 · Skills
Technical Arsenal
01
Programming
- –Python (Scripting, OOP, Web Dev)
- –HTML5 & CSS3
- –SQL (MySQL, SQLite)
- –Shell Scripting (Bash)
02
Systems & OS
- –Linux System Administration
- –Command-Line Operations
- –User & Permission Management
- –Process Automation
03
Networking
- –Cisco Packet Tracer
- –LAN/WAN Configuration
- –IPv4 / IPv6 Addressing
- –DHCP & DNS Setup
04
Cyber Security
- –Penetration Testing
- –Vulnerability Scanning
- –Cryptography Fundamentals
- –Digital Forensics
- –SQL Injection Defence
- –Brute Force Mitigation
05
Cloud & Virtualisation
- –AWS EC2
- –VirtualBox
- –Virtual Machine Management
- –Cloud Security Basics
06
Tools & Creative
- –Adobe Premiere Pro
- –Adobe After Effects
- –Adobe Illustrator
- –Final Cut Pro
- –CAD Tools
03 · Projects & Achievements
Projects & Achievements
02
Unihack × Innovation Fest Hackathon · 1st Place (Back-to-Back Win)
Hackathon Win · Full-Stack Development, Mobile, watchOS +1
03
Hospital Management System
Full-Stack Application · Python, MySQL, Database Design +1
04
Small LAN Configuration
Network Engineering · Cisco Packet Tracer, IPv4/IPv6, DHCP +1
05
Cyber Security Labs
Security & Penetration Testing · Kali Linux, Nmap, Metasploit +1
06
Operating System Administration
Systems Administration · Linux, Bash, Shell Scripting +1
07
Network Scanning & Vulnerability Analysis Lab
Penetration Testing · Kali Linux, Nmap, Metasploitable +1
08
Network Traffic Analysis & Protocol Inspection
Software Security · Wireshark, HTTP, SQL +1
09
SentinelIQ · AI Security Dashboard
Full-Stack Security Tool · Python, Streamlit, Claude API +4
04 · Education
Academic Journey
2024 – PresentCurrent
Birmingham City University
Predicted: First Class HonoursBSc (Hons) Cybersecurity
Progressing to MSc Cybersecurity
Modules
Computer SystemsCyber Security FundamentalsApplied Operating SystemsComputer ProgrammingNetwork Fundamentals & Software SecuritySystem Security Attacks and Defences
Summer 2026
Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU)
Seoul, South KoreaInternational Summer Semester · Diploma in Artificial Intelligence
Applied AI concepts, model behaviour, and emerging AI-related risk, viewed through a security-first lens
2022 – 2024
College Education
Grade: D*, D*, D* (Triple Distinction*)Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (Networking and Cybersecurity)
2017 – 2022
School Education
9 GCSEs at Grade 6 and aboveGCSEs
Including English Language, Mathematics, and IT Level 2
05 · Experience
Work & Volunteering
Jul 2026 – PresentEmployment
Founding Engineer
Zentic Health
- –Developing full-stack applications as a Founding Engineer, handling both front-end and back-end development.
- –Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration between user interfaces and server logic.
- –Leveraging expertise in databases and infrastructure to optimise application performance and reliability.
May 2026 – PresentEmployment
Software Security Engineer & Co-Founder
Keystone Digital Strategy Ltd
- –Co-founded a software security consultancy and directed end-to-end technical strategy for a three-person team, driving £100,000+ in revenue.
- –Architected and deployed scalable full-stack applications, embedding secure coding practices to enhance client acquisition and enterprise growth.
- –Owned the complete software development lifecycle, aligning business objectives with secure technical implementation.
Apr 2026 – PresentEmployment
Vice President
BCU Student Computing Association (SCA)
- –Elected Vice President within a student-led association backed by the BCU Computing faculty.
- –Lead the planning and delivery of events, workshops, and sessions across the association for the wider student body.
- –Work closely with the committee to push practical, industry-relevant learning that goes beyond the lecture hall.
- –Build connections between students and industry professionals to create opportunities that actually feel useful.
Jan 2026 – Apr 2026Volunteering
Cyber Security Researcher
BCU Cyber Security Society (CyberSoc)
- –Conducted in-depth research and analysis to support academic papers in the field of cyber security.
- –Collaborated with peers to identify credible literature, synthesise findings, and build reference frameworks.
- –Contributed to society knowledge-sharing sessions, presenting threat research and emerging attack vectors to fellow members.
2025 – PresentEmployment
Freelance AI Training Specialist
Outlier AI · Remote
- –Evaluated and provided structured feedback on AI-generated responses across cybersecurity and technical domains, improving model accuracy and reasoning quality.
- –Developed a practical understanding of how large language models process and respond to complex queries, informing awareness of AI security considerations.
Sep 2025 – PresentEmployment
Visiting Demonstrator
Birmingham City University
- –Assist students in practical modules, breaking down concepts that are obvious after you've been there, and less obvious before.
- –Leverage hands-on lab experience in networking, Linux, and security to guide students through coursework and live exercises.
- –Collaborate with lecturing staff to identify where students are struggling and adjust support accordingly.
Sep 2025 – Oct 2025Volunteering
Volunteer · International Orientation Buddy
BCU International Student Welcome Programme
- –Supported new international students during BCU induction, covering everything from campus navigation to accommodation queries.
- –Facilitated networking between international and home students, helping build cross-cultural connections from day one.
- –Delivered guidance both in-person and remotely, ensuring no student was left to figure out the chaos alone.
2022 – 2023Employment
Project Manager
Digital Innovators with HS2
- –Managed and quality-controlled design deliverables using professional CAD tooling on a nationally significant infrastructure programme.
- –Communicated complex technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders, a skill that translates well to security reporting.
- –Developed workflow automation tools that improved team efficiency and reduced manual overhead.
- –Awarded Best Innovator Project for outstanding contributions to the programme.
06 · Extracurriculars
Interests & Extracurriculars
AwardInterestCredentialTool / Skill
1st Place · Unihack × Centauri Media Hackathon 20251st Place · Unihack × Innovation Fest Hackathon 2026 (Back-to-Back Win)Best Innovator Project · HS2, 20222nd Best County Figures · Warwickshire Cricket League, 2023Multiple Excellence Awards throughout academic careerFootball & Cricket EnthusiastFull UK Driving LicenceAdobe Creative Suite (Premiere, After Effects, Illustrator)Final Cut Pro · Video EditingAspiring Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
2
Industry Awards
9+
GCSEs (Grade 6+)
2+
Creative Tools Mastered
07 · Contact
Get In Touch
Feel free to reach out directly. I always respond promptly.
Location
Birmingham, UK