Digital data is ubiquitous in our lives today, and with it comes all sorts of advantages and challenges. Much of our private and commercial data now resides in the cloud, which may be more convenient, but it also means we have to be smarter about both our personal security and our national security.
Georgia Tech is involved in many aspects of protecting our data and other sensitive information. To name just one example, the Georgia Tech Research Institute’s Cyber Technology and Information Security Laboratory conducts research to develop technologies that can identify and respond to threats to the United States’ information systems. Held on campus in March in partnership with the National Academy of Engineering and Federal Bureau of Investigation, the 2013 Georgia Tech Cyber Security Symposium highlighted the current technologies, challenges and policies surrounding cyber security. It is critical work that will continue to stimulate economic growth and development.
Georgia Tech alumni also are pioneering ways to address data storage and security vulnerabilities. We all know about Chris Klaus, Cls 96, and Tom Noonan, ME 83, who developed Internet Security Systems (now owned by IBM) into a vanguard of the cyber security industry. Klaus, alongside College of Computing professor Sy Goodman, offers his thoughts on surveillance technology in our @Issue section on page 36. A new leader in the field is John Marshall, IE 96, the founder, president and CEO of AirWatch, a 10-year old mobile security and enterprise mobility management company based in Atlanta. AirWatch is growing by leaps and bounds and has an implied market value of $1 billion. For a profile of Marshall and AirWatch, check out page 56.
Throughout the rest of the issue, you’ll find many examples of how Tech students, faculty and graduates are innovating in this rapidly expanding, sometimes controversial and crucially important field.
Joseph P. Irwin, IM 80
President & CEO
Georgia Tech Alumni Association
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