Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Featured Researcher: Dr. Stephen A. Cambone
Department: Computer Science & Engineering
Title: Associate Vice Chancellor for Cybersecurity Initiatives; Professor of Practice
Dr. Stephen Cambone discusses Texas A&M’s role in the evolving cybersecurity field.
Q: What collaborations are helping Texas A&M become a major cybersecurity player?
A: The work we’re doing is based in the College of Engineering, but we also collaborate with the Bush School of Government and Public Service. The Bush School has hired professors – a former deputy of United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and a former chief of staff for the United States Air Force – and they’re establishing a center for policy research related to cyber issues.
Q: The Army Futures Command will be located in Austin. What does that mean for the cybersecurity program?
A: It is a terrific opportunity to do basic research in the cyber world and apply that research, leading to actual deployment of physical systems that will enable the Army to perform its mission.
Q: How is Texas A&M expanding efforts to work with government entities?
A: We’ve developed relationships with USCYBERCOM, the National Security Agency (NSA) and other agencies. There’s work in blockchain analysis encryption and secure hardware and software development. The NSA, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, jointly issues certifications to universities for their work in the cyber field relative to cyber education, cyber research and cyber operations. Texas A&M holds all three.
Q: What funding has Texas A&M secured that will benefit students?
A: We’ve received awards from the Department of Defense, more specifically from the Air Force, and the National Science Foundation awarded the university $4 million to provide scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing cybersecurity fields.