猫咪社区

Q: Can you tell us how you became interested in the field of cybersecurity?

In the early 2000s, I was working in systems administration and infrastructure security, and it quickly became clear that protecting systems wasn't just a technical challenge: it was a human one. When I started working with open-source communities, building software and setting up systems, I saw firsthand how critical it was to build a culture of privacy and security alongside technical proficiency.

I became interested in cybersecurity through a deep concern for the sanctity of our communication systems, facilitating collaboration across the Internet, and just a general fascination with how technology shapes our lives.

 Q: What drew you to this position?

What drew me to 猫咪社区 was the university’s clear commitment to student-centered, real-world learning. The Cybersecurity program already has a strong, hands-on foundation, and I saw an opportunity to grow something meaningful. Not just technically rigorous, but rooted in ethics and real-world impact. We want our learners to go out there into the workforce, into the world and affect real change. The chance to guide and inspire students in a field that's innovative and rapidly evolving is incredibly exciting.

Q: What parts of your background do you think will help shape the direction of this program?

I have about two decades of experience running a variety of systems at the University of Connecticut and Yale University, and I really understand both the justified constraints and the incredible opportunities that are embodied by higher education, when you're trying to do something as innovative as, say, model a cyber attack. We can develop curriculum and simulations of real-world hacking events, for example, within a classroom context, without running rampant across the school's network. And I've done it before, and certainly those experiences can be built upon for 猫咪社区 to really shine and differentiate.

My work at Yale Law School and as the founder of Yale Privacy Lab has been a unique blend of research, journalistic investigations, and technical education. I’ve led investigations into malware and surveillance tech, conducted what we call digital self-defense workshops, and helped both small teams and big lecture halls of folks improve their privacy and of course their security, which are two sides of the same coin.

 Q: As director, what will be your priorities?

Above all else, I'm an educator so I know how to translate cutting-edge material into something students can engage with and apply. It's a student-first philosophy that informs my decisions, without them we don't have a school.

Short term, I’m focused on listening: to students, faculty, and partners that we work with like CyberTrust Massachusetts, and refining the curriculum to align with the changes in today’s threat landscape and also the tooling. That means enhancing lab work, introducing topics like AI, blockchain security concepts, and Zero Trust technology.

Long term, I want to expand our program’s reach through partnerships and mentorship pipelines, a stronger focus on certifications and even micro-credentials and badging. We want our students to shout from the rooftops how amazing they are and prove that to employers so they can navigate the job market and stand up, land internships, and so on. We want to build even stronger ties with industry, so, if you're a business out there listening, please reach out and let's have a conversation.

Q: From your perspective, what are some of the developments on the horizon for the field of cybersecurity?

AI and automation are changing the game. Adversaries are already leveraging AI to create sophisticated phishing, deepfakes, and automated attacks. We’ll also see more challenges around securing the supply chain, critical infrastructure, and IoT. Meanwhile, privacy regulations are tightening, which means compliance and governance are increasingly strategic concerns. And, just generally, our students need to learn how to leverage all of these changes to be successful out there, both while they're a part of our programs and after they graduate, get a certification, and so on.

Q: How will you integrate some of these changes into the program?

We're already moving in that direction, integrating curriculum on AI and not only the benefits but of course the risks, threat modeling, and secure software development, and I'd say open source development concepts which is an area I have specific expertise and solid industry contacts. We’ll be using live environments and simulations that reflect current threats, and students will get exposure to tools and platforms they’ll use in the field. I also want to bring in guest speakers and alumni who are working on these challenges every day, and I've got a pretty big network of not just so-called hackers and cyberpunks but also more traditional security and industry folks.

Q: The University has always emphasized hands-on, real-world experiences. What opportunities can our students expect?

Students can expect to "build and break," safely. Whether it's through digital forensics labs, red team/blue team exercises, or analyzing real-world breach scenarios, they’ll be applying knowledge in ways that feel tangible. They're doing that now in our classes using Virtual Machines and open source operating systems, for example, but we also have partnerships that give us access to an amazing Cyber Range in Union Station in Springfield and a whole host of opportunities in Boston from the folks at Cambridge College and their connections in that city.

 Q: What are your thoughts about balancing technical skills with soft skills such as communication and problem-solving?

This balance is absolutely essential. A brilliant analyst who can’t explain their findings clearly won’t succeed. We build in exercises around designing scenarios, report writing (post-mortem reports from say a ransomware attack), presenting technical content (especially to the C suite), and collaborating as part of a team. Cybersecurity is not just a tech discipline, it’s a human one, and soft skills are often the differentiator in a successful career.

 Q: Do you have any plans for alumni mentorship?

Yes, and I’m very excited about this. I’ve already started some conversations with alumni about ways they can stay connected, share their experiences, and support current students.  We actually already have a good pipeline of 猫咪社区 alums who then come back to teach courses. I envision a mentorship network where students can get guidance, job interview prep, and real-world insights from folks who were once in their shoes.

Q: What do you hope your students will take away from their time in the program?

I hope they leave confident, curious, and courageous. I want them to understand that cybersecurity isn’t just about defending systems, it’s about protecting people, and that's going to take some courage, and maybe even some pushing back against established norms. Whether they go into government, industry, or advocacy and nonprofit work, I want them to be critical thinkers who know how to keep learning and keep leading with integrity.