Cybersecurity

Man and woman sitting at a desk in a classroom in front of a whiteboard with Russian words, focused on the papers in front of them.

Meet a Retriever—Nathan Wooddell ’23, graduate student specializing in Russian and cybersecurity 

Meet Nathan Wooddell ’23, computer science. Nathan is a member of UMBC’s CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service cohort, and is getting his master’s in cybersecurity as a graduate researcher at the National Nuclear Security Agency. Nathan attributes much of his success to the connections he’s made with the staff and faculty at UMBC who have helped him to discover his true passions. During his time as an undergraduate at UMBC, Nathan also completed a Russian language certificate, and has found a way to combine his interests of both cybersecurity and the Russian language in the professional world. Take it away, Nathan.  … Continue Reading Meet a Retriever—Nathan Wooddell ’23, graduate student specializing in Russian and cybersecurity 

A gym filled with students and booths for a career fair

Résumés in hand, 2,000+ hopeful and prepared Retrievers attend the 2024 Career Fair

“We were excited to help employers develop a strong talent pipeline and diverse future workforce, shaping the leaders and innovators of tomorrow,” said Paige Bauder, associate director of employer relations and recruitment programs at UMBC, about the UMBC 2024 Spring Career Fair.  Continue Reading Résumés in hand, 2,000+ hopeful and prepared Retrievers attend the 2024 Career Fair

Four men standing on stage in front of a screen that says "INCS-COE C2C CTF 2023, August 1-4, 2023, Keio University, closing ceremony"

Cracking the code: International collaboration fosters cybersecurity

This summer, three UMBC students competed in an international “capture the flag”-style cybersecurity competition in Japan, with one Retriever taking home a victory—and all three bringing back a greater range of expertise. This opportunity helped UMBC students build global relationships and attain more practical experience in cyber defense.  Continue Reading Cracking the code: International collaboration fosters cybersecurity

A Star Trek spacecraft seen orbiting above the Earth.

Lessons from ‘Star Trek: Picard’ – a cybersecurity expert explains how a sci-fi series illuminates today’s threats

Society’s understanding of technology and cybersecurity often is based on simple stereotypes and sensational portrayals in the entertainment media. But sometimes Hollywood gets it right by depicting reality in ways that both entertain and educate. Richard Forno, a former cybersecurity industry practitioner and current cybersecurity researcher, believes the final season of “Star Trek: Picard” is the latest example of entertainment media providing useful lessons about cybersecurity and the nature of the modern world. Continue Reading Lessons from ‘Star Trek: Picard’ – a cybersecurity expert explains how a sci-fi series illuminates today’s threats

Three people work with machinery in a lab. They wear protective glasses and gloves. One wears a sweater reading "UMBC Rerievers."

UMBC researchers listed among the world’s top 2% of most-cited scientists and engineers

More than 40 active UMBC researchers are listed among the top 2% of the world’s most-cited scientists and engineers in an analysis recently published by Elsevier. “This analysis shows that our researchers are truly impacting the scientific community in a significant way,” says Karl V. Steiner, vice president for research and creative achievement. Continue Reading UMBC researchers listed among the world’s top 2% of most-cited scientists and engineers

Person working on a machine with a bright light in a lab. They are wearing sunglasses.

UMBC’s CyMOT receives $1.2M to expand cyber training for manufacturing workers

UMBC researchers designed the Cybersecurity for Manufacturing Operational Technology (CyMOT) program to help manufacturing professionals grow their cybersecurity skills, protecting the sector from cyber threats and increasing their career opportunities. Now, the program has received significant additional funding to expand its impact. Continue Reading UMBC’s CyMOT receives $1.2M to expand cyber training for manufacturing workers

A young man with glasses stands with his arm around an older woman

Non-Linear Paths to Leadership

Francisco Cartagena describes his academic journey as unorthodox. Now an employee for the City of Gaithersburg, Cartagena started his educational path as an undocumented student. While charting numerous challenges, Cartagena ’19, political science, M.P.S. ’22, cybersecurity, also found ample opportunities for growth along the way, becoming an effective leader of social change at UMBC at The Universities at Shady Grove. Cartagena arrived with his family from El Salvador as a preteen. In 2009, he graduated from high school and set out to Montgomery College to pursue his associate’s degree in general studies—a goal that would take him a decade to… Continue Reading Non-Linear Paths to Leadership

Portrait of man in a dress shirt with arm on a staircase railing.

UMBC’s Anupam Joshi, cybersecurity innovator, to expand leadership impact as 2022–23 ACE Fellow

Anupam Joshi, a professor focused on both high-impact computing research and expanding access to computer science and cybersecurity education, has been named a 2022-23 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow. He will spend the coming academic year with University System of Maryland (USM) leaders. Continue Reading UMBC’s Anupam Joshi, cybersecurity innovator, to expand leadership impact as 2022–23 ACE Fellow

A man with glasses stares through a window pensively

Did Twitter ignore basic security measures? A cybersecurity expert explains a whistleblower’s claims

By Richard Forno, Principal Lecturer,Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, UMBC Twitter’s former security chief, Peiter “Mudge” Zatko, filed a whistleblower complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission in July 2022, accusing the microblogging platform company of serious security failings. The accusations amplified the ongoing drama of Twitter’s potential sale to Elon Musk. Zatko spent decades as an ethical hacker, private researcher, government adviser and executive at some of the most prominent internet companies and government offices. He is practically a legend in the cybersecurity industry. Because of his reputation, when he speaks, people and governments normally listen – which underscores… Continue Reading Did Twitter ignore basic security measures? A cybersecurity expert explains a whistleblower’s claims

UMBC students, educators, and researchers advance Maryland through innovative computing partnership

The Maryland Institute for Innovative Computing “reflects Maryland’s dedication to ensuring our state agencies have the technical staffing and internal infrastructure they need,” says Annie Weinschenk, program director of workforce initiatives in the UMBC Career Center. Continue Reading UMBC students, educators, and researchers advance Maryland through innovative computing partnership

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