CV/Profile

Dr. Sonny Zulhuda mainly writes on issues of cyber law, e-commerce, information governance, information security and personal data protection (PDP).

Obtained his PhD in Information Security Law in 2010 from the International Islamic University Malaysia, Dr. Sonny is a 2008 Web-science Summer Doctoral fellow from the Oxford Internet Institute, the University of Oxford, and a three-time Fellow of the US-based Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). Sonny is a fellow researcher for Cyber Stewards Network (CSN) hosted at the Citizen Lab, University of Toronto, Canada. He is also a core member of the Research Alliance for Data Governance and Cyber Security (DGCS-Alliance) based in Beijing, China.

Dr. Sonny is currently serving as an Associate Professor and cyber law course coordinator at the Civil Law Department, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah (Faculty) of Laws, the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). His latest book was published by Thomson Reuters Asia (Sweet & Maxwell Asia) in 2024, titled: “Cyber Law in Malaysia: Principles and Practices”, co-authored with Dr. Ridoan Karim from Monash University Malaysia.

Dr Sonny advised the Malaysian Government on the amendment to the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 (2018-2019); the legislation of Cyber Security Act 2024 (2022-2023); and the development of draft Data Sharing Bill (2023-2024). Between 2021 and 2024, Sonny was a member of the Personal Data Protection Appeal Tribunal with the appointment by the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, Malaysia.

SCOPUS ID: 35782606500 (page)
WOS ID: AAE-8450-2022 (page)
ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0192-1971 (page)
GOOGLE SCHOLAR ID: https://scholar.google.com.my/citations?user=B99CpLkAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
IREP IIUM PAGE: http://irep.iium.edu.my/view/creators/Zulhuda=3ASonny=3A=3A.html

Recent Publication:

Academic & Professional Fellowships:

• Web-science Doctoral Summer Programme fellowship at the Oxford Internet Institute, the University of Oxford, UK (2008).
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Fellowship in Singapore (ICANN 41, year 2011).
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Fellowship in Beijing, China (ICANN 44, year 2013).
• Citizen Lab Summer Institute (CLSI) at the University of Toronto, Canada (2017).
• Visiting Researcher at the Citizen Lab, the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto, Canada (2018).
• Research Visit at the Center for Law and Digital Technologies, Leiden Law School, Universiteit Leiden, the Netherlands (2019).
• Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Fellowship in the Hague, Netherlands (ICANN 74 Policy Forum, year 2022).

Professional Affiliations:

• Asian Privacy Scholars Network.
• International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).
• Academic Advocate, ISACA (Formerly known as “Information Systems Audit and Control Association”) (Chapter Malaysia)
• Global Internet Governance Academic Network (GigaNet)
• Internet Society (Global & Malaysia Chapter)
• Cyber Stewards Network, Canada
• Data Protection Excellence Network (DPEX) (ASEAN)

Training & Certification:

1. Course on Digital Trade and Global Internet Governance, organised by ICANN, 13 December 2021 (1 day).
2. Certified Content Creator, for Educator @Virtual Learning Environment Program, organised by the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia, 15 September 2021.
3. IAPP Course on Certified Information Privacy Professionals (Europe) (CIPP/E), organised by Straits Interactive, June 2021 (3 days).
4. International Data Protection Frameworks and Standards and ISO 29001, organised by Singapore Management University, June 2021 (2 days).
5. CIPM Module on Privacy Management, organised by Straits Interactive, June 2021 (3 days).
6. In-house Internal Audit Training for ISO 9001:2008 and MS 1900:2014, organised by IIUM, March 2015 (3 days).
7. CISSP Module on Information Security, organised by IMPACT, June 2013 (5 days).
8. 1Citizen Certified Trainer on Digital Etiquette and Appropriate Use of Technology, endorsed by the Ministry of Education of Malaysia, October 2011 (4 days).

Research Projects:

1. “The Challenge of Data Localisation in the Digital Economy: The Malaysian Law Perspective” (Harun M Hashim Research Grant, IIUM, 2024-2025) – Principal Researcher.
2. “Developing a new regulatory framework to promote fair competition of online platforms in Malaysia: toward a responsible digital market economy” (Harun M Hashim Research Grant, IIUM, 2024-2025) – Co-Researcher.
3. “Curricula Development on Climate Change Policy and Law (CCP_Law)” (ERASMUS+ EU, 2021-2025) – Co-Researcher..
4. “Kajian Perundangan Ke Arah Penggubalan Draf Rang Undang-Undang Perkongsian Data” (“Legal Study on the Draft Bill of Data Sharing Law”), (MAMPU/JDN, Ministry of Digital Malaysia, 2023-2024) – Co-Researcher.
5. “Kajian Rang Undang-Undang Keselamatan Siber” (“Study on Cyber Security Draft Law”),(NACSA, NSC, Prime Minister’s Department of Malaysia, 2022-2023) – Co-Researcher.
6. “Developing a new legal and regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies businesses in Malaysia” (FRGS, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, 2019-2023) – Co-Researcher.
7. “From Freedom of Expression to ‘Freedom to Tell Lies’: Formulating an Effective Legal Framework to Regulate the Spread of Fake News Online in Malaysia” (IIUM Research Acculturation Grant Scheme, 2018-2021) – Co-Researcher.
8. “Social Media Regulation in Malaysia: Trends and Updates from the Legal and Judicial Perspectives” (IIUM Research Initiative Grant Scheme (Publication), 2018-2022) – Principal Researcher.
9. “From Data Security to Freedom of Information: Formulating a Legal Framework for Open Data in Malaysian Public Sector” (FRGS, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia/MOHE, 2017-2020) – Principal Researcher.
10. “Formulating the legal and institutional framework for the elimination of terrorism financing in Malaysia” (FRGS, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia/MOHE, 2016-2019) – Co-Researcher.
11. “Access My Info” (Citizen Lab, University of Toronto, Canada, 2015-2019) – Principal Researcher.
12. “Security offences law vis a vis right to privacy in Malaysia: Guidelines for reconciliation and enforcement” (FRGS, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia/MOHE, 2013-2017) – Principal Researcher.
13. “Application of extended Technology Acceptance Model on Malaysian consumer towards e-commerce transaction of small business” (GSMRF, MOHE, 2013-2016) – Co-Researcher
14. “Deciphering the Wikileaks saga: Exploring the legal, policy and information security role and challenges in protecting and securing Malaysia’s Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) against data leak” (ERGS, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia/MOHE, 2011-2015) – Co-Researcher.
15. “The problems of identity theft in Malaysia in the light of the Personal Data Protection Act 2010: A hope rejuvenated?” (IIUM Endowment Type-A, 2011-2014) – Principal Researcher.

Current Involvement in Editorial and Reviewership in Academic Journals

Editorial Board

1. Journal of Economics, Business and Management. ISSN: 2301-3567. Indexed in: CNKI, Electronic Journals Library, Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory, MESLibrary, Google Scholar, and Crossref. Website: http://www.joebm.com/list-11-1.html.
2. Journal of Islamic Economic Laws. ISSN: 2655-9609. E-ISSN: 2655-9617. Published by Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. Indexed in: Google Scholar, DRJI, Mendeley, Garuda, Dimension, BASE, Onesearch.id, Worldcat, Researchbib, Moraref, Crossref. Website: https://journals.ums.ac.id/index.php/jisel/about/editorialTeam.
3. Jurnal Hukum Novelty. ISSN: 1412-6834. E-ISSN: 2550-0090. Published by Universitas Ahmad Dahlan. Indexed in: Scopus, Google Scholar, DOAJ, Garuda, PKP Index, BASE, Sinta, WorldCat, EBSCO, Researchbib, Crossref. Website: http://journal.uad.ac.id/index.php/Novelty/about/editorialTeam.
4. Jurnal Ilmiah Living Law. ISSN 2085-8078. E-ISSN:2550-1208. Published by Djuanda University, Indonesia. Indexed in Garuda, Sinta, Google Scholar, Crossref, Base, One Search, Dimensions, World Cat, PKP. Website: https://ojs.unida.ac.id/livinglaw/about/editorialTeam.
5. Jurnal Media Hukum. Published by Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta. ISSN: 0854-8919. E-ISSN: 2503-1023. Indexed in: Scopus, Sinta, DOAJ, Garuda, Google Scholar, Dimensions, Crossref, Base, OneSearch, OAJI, ROAD, Solo, Hollis. Website: https://journal.umy.ac.id/index.php/jmh/people/#editorialteam.
6. Indonesian Comparative Law Review. Published by Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta and The Indonesian Association of Comparative Laws. ISSN: 2655-2353. E-ISSN: 2655-6545. Indexed in: Garuda, Google Scholar, Crossref, Dimensions, Base, ROAD, OneSearch. Website: https://journal.umy.ac.id/index.php/iclr/et.
7. Journal of Islamic Law on Digital Economy and Business (JILDEB). Published by: Center for Islamic Economics and Development Studies (CIEDS)- P3EI, Faculty of Business and Economics, Universitas Islam Indonesia. Indexed in: N/A. Website: https://journal.uii.ac.id/JILDEB/about/editorialTeam.

Reviewer

1. IIUM Law Journal. ISSN: 0128-2530. E-ISSN: 2289-7852. Published by the International Islamic University Malaysia. Indexed in: WOS ESCI, MCC, HeinOnline. Website: https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj.
2. Prophetic Law Review. ISSN: 2686-2379. E-ISSN2686-3464. Published by Universitas Islam Indonesia. Indexed in Scopus, Sinta 2, Google Scholar, Crossref, GARUDA, BASE, Index Copernicus, CiteFactor, Indonesia One Search, Dimensions. Website: https://journal.uii.ac.id/JPLR/Reviewers.
3. Journal of Social Studies. ISSN: 1858-2656. E-ISSN: 2721-4036. Published by Himpunan Sarjana Pendidikan Ilmu-ilmu Sosial Indonesia and Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta. Indexed in: Google Scholar, DOAJ, Garuda, Index Copernicus, Sinta, EBSCO, Crossref, ErihPlus. Website: https://journal.uny.ac.id/index.php/jss/reviewers.
4. Indonesia Law Reform Journal. ISSN: 2776-9259. E-ISSN: 2776-9674. Published by Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang. Website: https://ejournal.umm.ac.id/index.php/ilrej/Reviewer.
5. Jurnal Yurispruden. E-ISSN: 2614-3992. Published by Universitas Islam Malang. Indexed in: Google Scholar, Garuda, Crossref, Dimensions, Sinta. Website: http://riset.unisma.ac.id/index.php/yur/Reviewer.
6. Lex Librum : Jurnal Ilmu Hukum. ISSN: 2407-3894. E-ISSN: 2621-9867. Published by Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Hukum Sumpah Pemuda (Stihpada School of Law). Indexed in: Sinta, Crossref, Garuda, OneSearch, Google Scholar, Journals, i-Focus, OpenAire, UDL Edge, DOI, Zenodo, CiteFactor, Dimensions, Base, Road, EBSCO, Hollis, Solo, Universiteit Leiden, WorldCat, Lens.org, Moraref, Schilit, Microsoft Academic Search. Website: https://ojs.stihpada.ac.id/index.php/lexlibrum/about/editorialTeam.
7. Az-Zahra Journal of Gender and Family Studies. ISSN: 2746-8585. E-ISSN: 2746-8593. Published by Universitas Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati. Indexed in Google Scholar, Dimensions, Moraref, Garuda. Website: https://journal.uinsgd.ac.id/index.php/azzahra/reviewers.
8. Notaire Journal of Notarial Law. ISSN: 2721-8376. E-ISSN: 2655-9404. Published by Universitas Airlangga. Indexed in: Sinta, Google Scholar, Crossref, Garuda, ResearchBib, Base, PKP Index, Dimensions. Website: https://e-journal.unair.ac.id/NTR/Peer-Reviewers.
9. Jurnal Ilmah PGMI (JIP). E-ISSN 2527-4589. P-ISSN 2527-2764. Published by Program Studi Pendidikan Guru Madrasah Ibtidaiyah, Fakultas Ilmu Tarbiyah dan Keguruan, Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Fatah Palembang. Index: Garuda, Sinta 3. Website: https://jurnal.radenfatah.ac.id/index.php/jip/reviewers.
10. Jurnal Studi Jurnalistik. ISSN: 2715-7857. Published by: Journalism Study Program, Faculty of Da’wa and Communication, Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, Indonesia. Indexed in Google Scholar, Dimensions, Moraref, Garuda, Sinta, Base. Website: https://journal.uinjkt.ac.id/index.php/jsj/about/editorialTeam.
11. INSAF: The Journal of the Malaysian BAR. Website: https://insaf.malaysianbar.org.my/ojs/index.php/jmr

Contact:

Phone (Office hours): +60 3 64214309 | Blog: sonnyzulhuda.com | Mail: sonny@iium.edu.my | Linkedin: sonnyzulhuda | Twitter: zulhuda | Instagram: zulhuda1

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Past PDP & Information Governance Programmes (2002-date):

Yayasan Telekom Malaysia | MISC Bhd | Petronas | Cybersecurity Malaysia | ISACA Malaysia Chapter | Tenaga Nasional Berhad | Malaysia Multimedia Development Corporation (MDec) | Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) | Brickfields Asia College | KL Regional Centre for Arbitration (KLRCA) | Alumni Association of the University of South Australia (MyUNISA) | Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) | Attorney General Chambers (AGC) | UKM Medical Centre (PPUKM) | University of Malaysia Pahang (UMP) | Perbadanan Menteri Besar Kelantan (PMBK) | University of Technology Petronas (UTP) | Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) | ISACA Chapter Malaysia | Institute of Sultan Iskandar, UTM | Putra Specialist Hospital | The National Institutes of Health | Jabatan Perlindungan Data Peribadi (PDP Department) | Bank Pertanian Malaysia Bhd (AGROBANK) | The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) | Federation of Public Listed Companies (FPLC) and the Malaysian Institute of Corporate Governance (MICG) | The Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI) | The Malaysian Airline System Bhd (MAS) | KL BAR | Cyber Security Malaysia | Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)