David Formby

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

David Formby is a leading researcher at the intersection of robotics and cybersecurity, best known for pioneering security defenses for robotic and cyber-physical systems. His most influential work, "HoneyBot: A Honeypot for Robotic Systems" (2017, 39 citations), introduced a novel deception-based approach to protect robotic platforms from malicious attacks. By designing a honeypot that mimics real robotic behavior, Formby demonstrated how to lure attackers away from critical systems while gathering intelligence on their methods. This foundational contribution has shaped how researchers think about proactive defense in environments where safety and reliability are paramount—such as autonomous vehicles, medical robots, and industrial automation. Beyond HoneyBot, Formby’s broader research addresses vulnerabilities in networked control systems and industrial protocols, often highlighting the unique challenges of securing systems built for functionality rather than security. His work has been recognized for bridging the gap between traditional cybersecurity and robotics, earning him a reputation as a key voice in the emerging field of robotic security. For students and researchers, Formby’s research offers a compelling entry point into understanding how to build resilience into the next generation of autonomous systems.