About

Nikita Borisov is a professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, affiliated with the Siebel School of Computing and Data Science. His research interests lie in the area of computer security and privacy, with a particular focus on large-scale distributed systems. His current work emphasizes anonymity, including the analysis of existing anonymous systems and the design of new peer-to-peer anonymous networks. Borisov adopts a systems approach, utilizing rigorous, quantitative metrics of anonymity and conducting analysis through simulations. Additionally, he works on privacy-enhancing technologies such as techniques for privacy-preserving data aggregation and the development of reliable and secure peer-to-peer networks. His research areas include security and privacy, systems, and networking.

Research topics

• Computer Security
• Computer Science

Selected publications

• Advancing Building Footprint Extraction with Multi-Stage Regularization Techniques

  ˜The œinternational archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences/International archives of the photogrammetry, remote sensing and spatial information sciences · 2026-01-27

  articleOpen access

  Abstract. This paper introduces an automated building extraction method combining CNN segmentation with multi-stage regularization. We address urban mapping challenges including boundary inaccuracies and topological errors through: (1) neighborhood matrix processing for local refinement, (2) spectral graph optimization (SBO) for global consistency, and (3) curvature-adaptive contour refinement (ACR) to preserve geometric features. The pipeline converts initial segmentations into precise polygons through hierarchical processing. Experiments show performance matching state-of-the-art methods like PolyWorld, with superior handling of complex geometries. Key innovations include integrated local-global artifact removal and topology-preserving regularization. The curvature-adaptive approach maintains critical architectural features while eliminating noise. Particularly effective for high-resolution imagery, our solution improves geometric fidelity in urban mapping applications. The framework demonstrates robust performance for 3D city modeling and GIS tasks, overcoming common segmentation limitations. Results confirm accurate building outline extraction from satellite/aerial data, advancing automated urban feature mapping.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Prezta: Provable Remote Execution of Zero-Trust Authorization using SNARKs

  Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026-05-20

  otherOpen accessSenior author

  Source code and benchmarks for Prezta, a SNARK-based authorization architecture for Operational Technology (OT) systems. Prezta eliminates the trusted application gateway by enabling edge devices to verify zero-knowledge proofs of policy compliance. This artifact includes: (1) ZK_Zero_Trust - the main Prezta implementation using RISC Zero zkVM, including policy verification circuits, proof generation, and edge device verifier; (2) xacml-to-rust - a compiler that translates XACML access control policies into Rust code compatible with zkVM execution. This software accompanies the paper "Prezta: Provable Remote Execution of Zero-Trust Authorization using SNARKs" accepted at USENIX Security 2026.

  PublisherDOI

• Prezta: Provable Remote Execution of Zero-Trust Authorization using SNARKs

  Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026-05-20

  otherOpen accessSenior author

  Source code and benchmarks for Prezta, a SNARK-based authorization architecture for Operational Technology (OT) systems. Prezta eliminates the trusted application gateway by enabling edge devices to verify zero-knowledge proofs of policy compliance. This artifact includes: (1) ZK_Zero_Trust - the main Prezta implementation using RISC Zero zkVM, including policy verification circuits, proof generation, and edge device verifier; (2) xacml-to-rust - a compiler that translates XACML access control policies into Rust code compatible with zkVM execution. This software accompanies the paper "Prezta: Provable Remote Execution of Zero-Trust Authorization using SNARKs" accepted at USENIX Security 2026.

  PublisherDOI

• Research and Development of Kubernetes Operator for Lightweight Multi-Access Edge Computing Platform Simulator

  2025-03-12

  article

  This paper addresses the problem of deploying complex systems in Kubernetes clusters. It discusses using the OperatorSDK framework supported by RedHat as a basis for implementing the Kubernetes operator for Lightweight MultiAccess Edge Computing Platform Simulator (LWMECPS) deployment. Special attention is given to the operator Kubernetes architecture and how to use Operator Lifecycle Manager (OLM) to continuously deploy LWMECPS and machine learning models for it.

  PublisherDOI

• Advantages of using textile-reinforced concrete in cantilever structures

  Architecture Construction Transport · 2025-04-16 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Textile reinforcement of concrete structures is promising trend in modern construction. These structures are lightweight, strong, stable, and require fewer materials. However, the use of textile-reinforced concrete in cantilever structures has not been previously studied. The authors designed and manufactured prototypes of lightweight textile-reinforced concrete cantilever coverings. The prototypes underwent strength testing in the laboratory. In addition, finite element modelling was performed to analyze the stress-stain state of the structures. Tre results showed that the maximum failure load of the prototype was 400 N, equivalent to a stress of 4.08 MPa, exceeding the strength of B20 class concrete by 1.9-2.4 times. The effectiveness of textile reinforcement was demonstrated under critical loading conditions, and the residual strength of the structure provided stability after the concrete matrix failure. The prototype could form the basis of commercial solutions. This technology is promising for use in regions with stringent structural reliability requirements, including seismically active zones.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Optimized cantilever structure using textile-reinforced concrete for the climatic conditions of southern Russia

  Proceedings of Southwest State University · 2025-11-29

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Purpose of research . The aim of this study is to analyze the structural capabilities and limitations of using textile-reinforced concrete (TRC) in roofing systems for sports facilities, with particular focus on a stadium roof cantilever structure designed for the climatic conditions of Sochi. Methods . The study uses a computational model of a cantilever roofing structure made of TRC, with a cantilever length of 22.735 m and a total width of 84.4 m. Numerical methods with finite element modeling in ANSYS are employed. Loads, including snow and wind, are applied based on the regulatory standards for Sochi. Different scenarios of cover thickness and cantilever length variations are analyzed. Results . The results show that TRC significantly enhances the stiffness of the structure, reducing vertical displacements of the cantilever by 30-35% compared to traditional reinforced cement. Furthermore, reducing the cover thickness to 200 mm maintains sufficient stiffness, leading to material savings. Extending the cantilever by 3-4 meters is feasible without exceeding the allowable deflection limits. Conclusion . The study demonstrates that the use of TRC in roofing structures for sports facilities leads to significant improvements in stiffness and material efficiency, allowing for either increased spans or reduced cover thickness without compromising performance. This presents new opportunities for the design of lightweight and efficient structures in the southern regions of Russia.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Bending of steel multilayer sheet material

  Chernye Metally · 2024-07-26

  articleSenior author

  The calculation of technological parameters and the prediction of the behavior of the workpiece during deformation are directly interrelated with the properties of the material. The use of multilayer steel sheets with a connecting elastic-viscous layer changes the flow of the layers and radically changes the stress gradients in the deformable material. The use of multilayer materials (steel-polymer-steel) reduces noise and vibration in finished products, which makes the use of data very promising. The paper considers a numerical study of the bending of a billet consisting of two 0.5 mm thick sheet layers of 08 steel connected by an elastic-viscous connecting layer. The thickness of the layer is 0.05 mm and its shear properties were determined experimentally. During the numerical simulation, data were obtained on the distribution of radial and tangential stresses in each metal sheet and the degree of material thinning depending on the relative bending radius of the material. The stress and thinning distributions for multilayer and single-layer materials are compared. During the research, it was revealed that the inner layer of the multilayer sheet increases its thickness during bending, and the outer layer is thinned. At the same time, the degree of intensity of the thinning of the outer layer exceeds the thickening of the inner layer by an order of magnitude. The total thinning of two layers of material is one and a half times higher than the thinning of a single-layer material of the same brand with a similar thickness. A comparison of the bending moment of a two-layer and a single-layer sheet of equal thickness showed that the bending moment of a homogeneous material is approximately twice that of a monolithic workpiece. These features must be taken into account when developing the technological process of bending parts made of multilayer materials.

  PublisherDOI

• DiProber: Estimating Relays Capacities in Underloaded Anonymous Communication Networks

  2024-07-10

  article

  Tor is a widely used anonymous communication network that routes and anonymizes users' internet traffic through thousands of relays. To create a path, Tor authorities estimate relay capacities based on the bandwidth of observation probes assigned to each relay. These estimates are used to generate a probability distribution over relays for incoming users to choose from. However, the currently implemented estimation algorithm generates inaccurate estimates, resulting in underutilization of the network and unfair distribution of capacities between users. To address this, we propose DiProber, a new algorithm that uses two probes per relay and maximum likelihood to more accurately estimate relay capacities. Our new technique works particularly well in underutilized networks where users have low demand on the Tor network.

  PublisherDOI

• ProbFlow: Using Probabilistic Programming in Anonymous Communication Networks

  2023-01-01 · 3 citations

  articleSenior author

  We present ProbFlow , a probabilistic programming approach for estimating relay capacities in the Tor network.We refine previously derived probabilistic model of the network to take into account more of the complexity of the real-world Tor network.We use this model to perform inference in a probabilistic programming language called NumPyro which allows us to overcome the analytical barrier present in purely analytical approach.We integrate the implementation of ProbFlow to the current implementation of capacity estimation algorithms in the Tor network.We demonstrate the practical benefits of ProbFlow by simulating it in flow-based Python simulator and packetbased Shadow simulations, the highest fidelity simulator available for the Tor network.In both simulators, ProbFlow provides significantly more accurate estimates that results in improved user performance, with average download speeds increasing by 25% in the Shadow simulations.

  PublisherDOI

• DiProber: Using Dual Probing to Estimate Tor Relay Capacities in Underloaded Networks

  arXiv (Cornell University) · 2022-11-30 · 1 citations

  preprintOpen access

  Tor is the most popular anonymous communication network. It has millions of daily users seeking privacy while browsing the internet. It has thousands of relays to route and anonymize the source and destinations of the users packets. To create a path, Tor authorities generate a probability distribution over relays based on the estimates of the capacities of the relays. An incoming user will then sample this probability distribution and choose three relays for their paths. The estimates are based on the bandwidths of observation probes the authority assigns to each relay in the network. Thus, in order to achieve better load balancing between users, accurate estimates are necessary. Unfortunately, the currently implemented estimation algorithm generate inaccurate estimates causing the network to be under utilized and its capacities unfairly distributed between the users paths. We propose DiProber, a new relay capacity estimation algorithm. The algorithm proposes a new measurement scheme in Tor consisting of two probes per relay and uses maximum likelihood to estimate their capacities. We show that the new technique works better in the case of under-utilized networks where users tend to have very low demand on the Tor network.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• CAREER: Scale and Performance in Anonymous Communication

  NSF · $500k · 2010–2015

• CT-ISG: Traffic Analysis: Attacks, Defenses, and Fundamental Limits

  NSF · $400k · 2008–2012

Frequent coauthors

• Matthew Caesar

  29 shared

• Amir Houmansadr

  27 shared

• Prateek Mittal

  25 shared

• Anupam Das

  North Carolina State University

  20 shared

• Ian Goldberg

  University of Waterloo

  14 shared

• George Danezis

  14 shared

• Negar Kiyavash

  12 shared

• Joshua Juen

  University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

  9 shared

Awards & honors

• The Web Conference best paper (2019)
• ASIACCS Best Paper (2014)
• NSF CAREER award (2010)