Giorgi Akhalaia holds a Ph.D. in Information Technologies from Georgian Technical University, where his research focused on designing security functions for 5G networks using machine learning. From 2014 to 2025, he worked at the Institute of Earth Sciences and National Seismic Monitoring Centre at Ilia State University, advancing from Seismic Data Operator and Junior Specialist to Head of the Geodesy and Gravimetry Department, and later serving as Deputy Director and Director. From 2023 to 2025, he was an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity at Caucasus University.

Giorgi has been a key speaker at DefCamp and DeepSec, two of Europe’s leading cybersecurity conferences, and has authored numerous publications on cybersecurity, 5G networks, and digital security. He is involved in multiple international projects, including initiatives funded by Erasmus+ and NATO SPS, focusing on post-quantum security, cybersecurity education, and building national research labs in 5G/6G networks, quantum computing, and AI/ML. He also contributes to projects on personal data protection and GDPR awareness, delivering trainings and seasonal schools to academia, industry, and the public.

Through his academic, research, and outreach work, Giorgi actively supports the development of Georgia’s cybersecurity and data protection ecosystem.