UC Prof Tapped to Lead Cyber Research Institute

New Entity to Facilitate Region's Cyber Research Needs

Written By Colleen Bierstine '15, PR Intern

Dr. Popyack one of first to study offensive information warfare

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Contact

cleogrande@utica.edu

Utica, NY (05/07/2014)

- During a speech at the National Security Agency Headquarters, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said, “Our nation’s reliance on cyberspace outpaces our cybersecurity.”

Cybersecurity is essential to the nation – and the world - now more than ever, and the demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow exponentially.

Utica College’s Dr. Leonard Popyack, associate professor of cybersecurity, is lending his expertise to the Cyber Research Institute (CRI), an organization that aims to generate essential research on cybersecurity through private and public partnerships. Popyack was recently named interim executive director of the CRI.

The CRI, based in Rome, New York, was established in 2013 to provide advice and resources on cyber vulnerability and solutions. It aims to build the cyber community through collaborations, promoting partnerships that leverage the training, research, development, demonstration and technology transfer resources necessary for growing the nation’s cybersecurity forces. It partners with educational institutions like Utica College, the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, private businesses and not-for-profit entities.

Utica College is leading the way in cybersecurity education with one of the most comprehensive programs in the nation, designed to answer the demand for cybersecurity experts. Its suite of cybersecurity programs includes a bachelors degree that is available on-campus and online and an online masters degree.

One of the most comprehensive in the nation, UC’s cybersecurity program is continuing to grow. It offers the most extensive coursework in digital forensics and investigation currently available and is an innovative, multidisciplinary program that provides the critical skills needed to succeed in this highly specialized profession.

Popyack was one of the first government research scientists to study offensive information warfare, and set up a group of highly talented personnel to develop next-generation cyber tools and technology. He earned a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Binghamton University and held various positions with the U.S. government, large and small businesses and universities.

For more information on CRI, visit http://www.cyberRI.org/
For more information Utica College’s cybersecurity program, visit http://www.utica.edu/academic/ssm/cybersecurity/.

About Utica College – Utica College, founded in 1946, is a comprehensive private institution offering bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The College, located in upstate central New York, approximately 90 miles west of Albany and 50 miles east of Syracuse, currently enrolls over 4,000 students in 36 undergraduate majors, 27 minors, 21 graduate, pre-professional and special programs.