{"id":7231,"date":"2020-06-07T16:05:51","date_gmt":"2020-06-07T16:05:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecm.eng.auburn.edu\/wp\/emag\/?p=7231"},"modified":"2022-03-29T13:31:36","modified_gmt":"2022-03-29T13:31:36","slug":"securing-our-infrastructure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecm.eng.auburn.edu\/wp\/emag\/?p=7231","title":{"rendered":"Securing Our Infrastructure"},"content":{"rendered":"

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G<\/span>ina Haspel, director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and David Bowdich, deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, all have one thing in common. Well, maybe more than one thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to being among the highest administrative leadership on the forefront of national security for the American people, these three leaders have developed a close relationship with Auburn University and its McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. These leaders have all visited and spoken on campus, either in person or virtually, within the past year as the university positions itself as a national leader on the forefront of cyber and critical infrastructure security, policy and defense. <\/span><\/p>\n

These relationships are vital and critical, especially in a time where the nation is constantly fending off attacks and threats from hostile nations, organizations and individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n

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University President Jay Gogue (left) and David Bowdich, deputy director of the FBI, signed a memorandum of understanding in January that names Auburn as a partner with the bureau as it expands its workforce and operations, particularly in Huntsville.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2019, Auburn hosted Haspel, former National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers, then-DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs, Assistant Director Brian Harrell and Transportation Security Administration Administrator David Pekoske. In November, the institute hosted 80 members of private industry for a Cyber Moonshot workshop, co-hosted by Raytheon and Unisys, with the objective of making critical infrastructure on the internet safe and secure by 2028.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been admiring the problem a long time, and now it\u2019s time to get things done,\u201d said Frank Cilluffo, McCrary Institute director. \u201cThe biggest companies in the world didn\u2019t go into business thinking they\u2019d have to defend against other nations. It\u2019s not just a government problem.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, Cilluffo testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. This year, Cilluffo also testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, whose members include U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby and Doug Jones, both of Alabama, in a hearing titled \u201cThreats Posed by State-Owned and State Supported Enterprises to Public Transportation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe threats to public transportation posed by state-owned and state-supported enterprises is a matter of national significance, as the issue bears on U.S. national and economic security, which are inextricably intertwined,\u201d Cilluffo said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Since then, Auburn has also hosted Bowdich on campus and Wolf through a virtual livestreamed event. Following Bowdich\u2019s visit to campus, university President Jay Gogue and Bowdich signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement names Auburn as a partner with the FBI as the bureau expands its workforce and operations, particularly in Huntsville where the bureau is investing $1 billion in a second headquarters that will include more than 1,000 jobs with a special emphasis on cybercrime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Auburn aims to educate and train future FBI employees, and provide next-generation specialists needed to take on critical roles across the bureau. The FBI and Auburn also will share mutually beneficial information, research and technology that advances criminal justice and student and faculty opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf joined McCrary Institute Director Frank Cilluffo, virtually, for an event in April.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cUniversities have a responsibility to arm the next generation workforce in cyber,\u201d Cilluffo said. \u201cAuburn\u2019s top-notch faculty is ready to help address the greatest challenges facing our nation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

During Wolf\u2019s virtual visit in April, he spoke about how DHS is safeguarding the nation in many ways \u2014 particularly during this current pandemic \u2014 how the department is including a priority focus in the months ahead on economic security and how Auburn plays a vital role.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe department has a number of resources in the state of Alabama, both from a FEMA standpoint and cybersecurity standpoint, and we find great partnerships, not only with the private institutions in the state, but also with Gov. Ivey. The state of Alabama has been a great partner to the Department of Homeland Security over the years,\u201d Wolf said. \u201cI really appreciate the work of Auburn University and the McCrary Institute. The partnership has been great, and I look forward to continuing this conversation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The day prior to Wolf\u2019s visit, the McCrary Institute held another virtual livestream event with the U.S. Cyber Solarium Commission in which Cilluffo, who is a member of the commission, moderated panel discussions with other members on the topic of deterrence in cyberspace.<\/span><\/p>\n