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Online Cybersecurity Faculty and Advisory Council

Study With Experts at the Forefront of Cybersecurity

Our faculty have built their expertise on the front lines of cybersecurity. With diverse backgrounds in the industry, many faculty members are still engaged in the field and have expertise in information security, digital forensics, incident response, attack methodology, and more.

As a student of the online cybersecurity degree program, your instructors will provide you with personalized instruction, mentorship, career advice, and a network of opportunities.

Utica University’s Cybersecurity Advisory Council was formed in 2024 to further elevate Utica’s cybersecurity programs. Members include the Chief of Staff of the United States Secret Service and leaders from Dragos, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and more. Learn more about the council and its members.

Abdulbast A. Abushgra, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity

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Jacob Benjamin, Ph.D., CISSP

Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

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Andrew Carr, M.S., GCIH, CTCE

Director, Cybersecurity Graduate Programs/ Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity

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Leslie Corbo, D.Sc.

Director, B.S. Cybersecurity Programs/Associate Professor, Cybersecurity

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Jeff Foley, MS

Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

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Jack D. Givens, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Cybersecurity

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Maxim Gorbachevsky, M.S.

Professor of Practice- Cybersecurity

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John W. Oevering, M.S., M.B.A.

Assistant Director of Cybersecurity & Professor of Practice of Cybersecurity

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Andrew Orechovesky, D.Sc., CISSP

Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity & Information Assurance

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Michael VanDusen, Ph.D.-IT, CISSP, CISM, CCSP

Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity

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Stacey Webb, M.S., MSPA

Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity

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Donnie Wendt, D.Sc, CISSP

Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity

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Cybersecurity Advisory Council

The mission of the Advisory Council is to:

  1. To develop cutting-edge academic programs in the field of cybersecurity for students and faculty of Utica University;
  2. To assist in the development of best-in-class education and research in these fields at Utica University and affiliated organizations;
  3. To assist Utica University in securing adequate financial resources to support ongoing growth of the cybersecurity program;
  4. To serve as a reliable resource for innovative solutions for industry, government, law enforcement, legal, professional services and defense organizations; and
  5. To foster the development of the next generation of future leaders in cybersecurity.
Jeffrey Amell

Jeffrey Amell

Hilton Worldwide
Director Cybersecurity

Jacob Benjamin

Jacob Benjamin

Dragos
Global Practice Lead

Tony Desarro

Tony Dessaro

KPMG
Director Cyber Response

Yuri Diogenes

Yuri Diogenes

Microsoft
Principal PM

Kyo Dolan

Kyo Dolan

USSS
Chief of Staff

Ryan Duquette

Ryan Duquette

MNP
Partner
National Lead Digital Forensics

Vincent Esposito

Vincent Esposito

Google Cloud
Head of Americas Customer Success Managers

Jeff Foley

Jeff Foley

ZeroFox
Vice President of Research

Brenda Gooshaw Samson

Brenda Gooshaw Samson

Flowers Foods & Subsidiaries
Director of Cybersecurity Governance and Culture

Rocco Grillo

Rocco Grillo

Alvarez & Marsal
Managing Director of Global Cyber Risk & IR Investigative Services

Dan Kalil

Dan Kalil

DeepSeas
VP, Global Client Success & Delivery

Spencer Lasker

Spencer Lasker

Citi
Senior VP
Global Lead of Tactical and Vulnerability Cyber Intelligence

Norman Leach

Norman Leach

DAF CLOUDworks
Director

Nathan Little

Nathan Little

Arctic Wolf
VP of Incident Response Strategy

Vito Nozza

Vito Nozza

C1
Director (Chief Architect) – Information Security Advisory Services

Salvatore Paladino

Salvatore Paladino

AIS
Director of Cyber Operations R&D

Griffin Reid

Griffin Reid

KPMG
Lead, Operations & Delivery, Cyber

Brendan Rooney

Brendan Rooney

Booz Allen Hamilton
SVP, Global Commercial Incident Response Lead

Edith Santos

Edith Santos

Apollo Cyber
COO

Melissa Sokolowski

Melissa Sokolowski

Confidential
VP Digital Forensics & Incident Response

Mike Woods

Mike Woods

NCIS
Special Agent in Charge Cyber Field Office

Online Cybersecurity Programs

With an online cybersecurity degree from Utica University, you’ll learn from industry experts and gain the expertise to safeguard data in diverse in-demand careers. Our cybersecurity programs are recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure you graduate fully prepared to reach your professional goals.

M.S. in Cybersecurity Operations Management

The online M.S. in Cybersecurity Operations Management degree from Utica University provides the credential to take the CompTIA ® Project+ certification exam, plus the expertise for a successful career in risk management, IT leadership, and more.

B.S. in Cybersecurity

Explore innovative techniques to protect, prevent, and investigate cyber-attacks, including detection and remediation methods. Learn how to secure an organization’s data and intellectual property from both an attack and defense perspective. Through experiential learning and real-world simulated exercises, students leave the program with industry-recognized certifications and micro-credentials.
The National Security Agency (NSA) designated our Cybersecurity program as a National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Cyber Operations

The Cyber Operations specialization provides skills in defensive and offensive tactics, techniques, and procedures. Develop real-world skills using industry-recognized cyber operations tools. Gain advanced instruction on vulnerability assessments, malware analysis, and incident response.

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Cybercrime and Fraud Investigation

Prepare to lead the fight against digital white-collar crimes such as fraud, money laundering, and corruption. Learn about modern payment systems from a global perspective while studying techniques to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud. Discover counter-efforts that include fraud prevention and fraud detection technologies that include digital forensics skills.

B.S. in Cybersecurity: Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Pursue your passion for collecting evidence and investigating computer crimes such as fraud, ransomware and data theft with courses that emphasize a comprehensive understanding of the forensic tools and techniques used to investigate and analyze network-related incidents and preserve digital evidence. Computer crime encompasses a wide range of illegal activities that cost corporations revenue and pose a threat to our national security and individuals alike. In this 100% online master’s program, you’ll gain the skills you need for cyber forensics certifications and make an impact in this rapidly growing field.

M.S. in Cybersecurity

Learn to address ever-changing cyberattack and infiltration techniques with an NSA-recognized leader in Cybersecurity. Three program specializations target different interests in this field.

M.S. in Cybersecurity: Digital Forensics

Pursue your passion for collecting and preparing evidence for computer crimes such as fraud, ransomware and cyber espionage with courses that emphasize a comprehensive understanding of the forensic tools and techniques used to investigate and analyze network-related incidents and preserve digital evidence.

M.S. in Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity Operations

Examine defensive and offensive modes of cyber operations as you become a cybersecurity expert. You’ll graduate ready to detect, investigate, and prevent cybercrime for employers ranging from defense contractors to financial services to critical infrastructure.

M.S. in Cybersecurity: Cybercrime and Fraud

Master the technical, legal, and ethical aspects of electronic crime, white collar crime and fraud investigation with a focus on risk and compliance, legal issues, fraud management, and advanced fraud analysis techniques.