Michael Chertoff, who served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2005-2009, will deliver the first University of Delaware Cybersecurity Initiative Distinguished Lecture on Feb. 10.

Feb. 10: Cybersecurity expert

Security expert Michael Chertoff to discuss cybersecurity challenges, solutions

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1:13 p.m., Jan. 26, 2015--Noted security expert Michael Chertoff, who served as secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2005-2009, will deliver the first University of Delaware Cybersecurity Initiative Distinguished Lecture in February. 

His talk, entitled "Cybersecurity, the Essential Partnership: Government, Industry, Academia," will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 10, in the Gore Recital Hall of the Roselle Center for the Arts on the University's Newark campus. 

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In his talk, Chertoff will discuss the increasingly complex global threat of cyber attacks, the potential damage to individuals, corporations and nations, and the importance of partnerships in finding solutions to build resilience and better mitigate this threat.  

The free public program will be streamed live on the University's webcast page. For a video about the Feb. 10 lecture and the importance of cybersecurity in the modern world, click here.

"With cybersecurity issues dominating the news, the program is particularly timely, and Michael Chertoff is the ideal person to discuss it, bringing firsthand knowledge and perspective to the matter," said Starnes Walker, founding director of the UD Cybersecurity Initiative. "As our inaugural speaker, he will set the tone for the important work our initiative is undertaking."

Michael Chertoff

When Chertoff was secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security from 2005 to 2009, he led the country's efforts to block would-be terrorists and transformed FEMA into an effective organization after the problems of Hurricane Katrina.

Now co-founder and executive chairman of the Chertoff Group, he provides high-level strategic counsel to corporate and government leaders on a range of security issues, from risk identification and prevention to preparedness, response and recovery.

"We help our clients develop comprehensive strategies to manage risk without building barriers that get in the way of carrying out their business," Chertoff says.

Before heading the Department of Homeland Security, he served as a federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Earlier, as a federal prosecutor, he investigated and prosecuted cases of political corruption, organized crime, corporate fraud and terrorism, including the investigation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

UD Cybersecurity Initiative

The costs of cyber espionage to the U.S. economy are estimated to exceed $300 billion a year, and at the same time there is a serious shortage of skilled cyber workers who can help protect private, business and government resources.  

The University of Delaware has established the Cybersecurity Initiative to engage partners from academia, business and government in advancing cybersecurity education and research, specifically in the areas of training and workforce development. Goals include the creation of prominent academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as certificate programs for corporate and government professionals.

Walker, founding director of the initiative, has more than 35 years of leadership experience in research, development and engineering to enhance national security. He has held leadership positions in the U.S. departments of Defense, Energy and Homeland Security. 

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