What: On Monday, March 21st President Biden warned of potential cyberattacks from Russia as a response to the economic sanctions that have been imposed on Russia by the U.S. and its allies following invasion of Ukraine.
American University has experts who can comment and discuss cyber security and attacks, how businesses can prepare, and what are the risks to business, utilities, and government agencies.
When: March 22, 2022 – ongoing
Who: AU experts include:
Fiona Alexander is co-founder of Salt Point Strategies and Distinguished Policy Strategist in Residence at American University's School of International Service. A former government executive with extensive experience in Internet, cyber and emerging technology policy, she served at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in the US Department of Commerce for close to 20 years. Prof. Alexander is NTIA’s sole Presidential Rank Award winner for her leadership in the two-decade effort to privatize the Internet’s domain name system (DNS). Prof. Alexander can comment on issues related to Internet infrastructure, international cooperation, international treaty discussions and the UN, including the International Telecommunication Union.
Diana L. Burley is Vice Provost for Research, Professor of Public Administration and Policy, and Professor of Information Technology & Analytics at American University. She is an award-winning cybersecurity expert who has testified before Congress and who regularly advises corporate executives around the world on managing cybersecurity risk. Prof. Burley is a co-author of “Enterprise Software Security: A Confluence of Disciplines.” Prof. Burley is available to comment on workforce development, including inclusiveness in cybersecurity and high-tech, among other issues.
Erran Carmel is an information technology professor in the Kogod School of Business. His research areas include digital health passports, cybersecurity industry clusters, quantum industry clusters and the future of work. He also leads the business school’s “Business in the Capital” initiative. Carmel received his Ph.D., in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona; his MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.
Gwanhoo Lee, is a professor and the Chair of the Department of Information Technology and Analytics in the Kogod School of Business. He is also a researcher at the Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center (KCGC). His expertise and primary research areas include digital innovation, digital transformation, digital health care, information privacy, cybersecurity, smart government, software development agility and complexity, and project management. He has consulted for the World Bank and Samsung on digital strategy.
Sasha O’Connell is a former senior executive at the Federal Bureau of Investigation and currently the Director of the Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy Program and the Justice Law and Criminology Master’s program at the School of Public Affairs. She has expertise in workforce diversity in law enforcement and national security environments, and in U.S. cyber policy, including the fields of encryption and “lawful access.” Prof. O’Connell is a Board Member of #NatSecGirlSquad an organization focused on building competent diversity in the national security space. She can comment on U.S. government cyber policy issues, including the important function of the National Cyber Director, as well as diversity in the cyber workforce.
Ayman Omar is an associate professor in AU’s Kogod School of Business’ department of information technology & analytics and a research fellow at the Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center (KCGC). His research interests focus on global supply chain management, specifically targeting areas such as supply chain integration and responsiveness, cyber risks in global supply chains, and sustainability in global supply chains. Prior to receiving his Ph.D., he worked in the oil industry and conducted several consulting projects for a wide range of corporations including many Fortune 100 companies as well as small privately owned firms.
Jorhena Thomas, adjunct professorial lecturer in the School of International Service and School of Public Affairs, is an expert in international affairs and intelligence. She has extensive experience in intelligence analysis, intelligence-led investigations, and homeland security. At American University, Prof. Thomas runs a practicum course on disinformation that focuses on helping U.S. Government entities address the evolving use of information warfare by nation states. Prof. Thomas can talk about the way in which Internet users can protect themselves from disinformation and misinformation.
Heng Xu is the director of the Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center and a professor in Kogod’s department of information technology & analytics. She is an expert in AI governance, privacy protection, data ethics, algorithmic fairness, analytical transparency, and accountability. Her research has received many awards and secured highly coveted grants. Dr. Xu also teaches classes in cybersecurity risk management and governance.
Nan Zhang is a professor of information technology and analytics in AU’s Kogod School of Business and a research fellow at the Kogod Cybersecurity Governance Center (KCGC). His expertise is in data privacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and regulatory issues. His current research focuses on the proper use of data analytics and machine learning to understand people’s preferences and behavior, especially pertaining to important business and regulatory decisions.
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