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Randall K. Nichols, M.S.
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Randall K. Nichols, , MSChE, MBA, associate professor of criminal justice, is director of the Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program at Utica College.
Before joining the Utica College Faculty, Randall K. Nichols was Chief Operating Officer of INFOSEC Technologies, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Espionage and Information Security Countermeasures to support its 1700 commercial, educational and U.S. government clients.
Previously, Nichols served as CEO of COMSEC Solutions, a cryptographic / anti-virus / biometrics countermeasures company which was acquired by a public company in 2000. As part of the acquisition agreement, he served as Vice President of Cryptography and Director of Research. Nichols (a.k.a. LANAKI) served as Technology Director of Cryptography and Biometrics for the International Computer Security Association (ICSA) and President and Vice President of the American Cryptogram Association (ACA). Nichols is internationally respected, with 40 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in cryptography, counter-intelligence, INFOSEC and sensitive computer applications in the engineering, consulting, construction, and chemicals industries.
Professor Nichols previously taught graduate courses in INFOSEC, Cryptography and Systems Applications Management and Policy, Counter-Terrorism, Risk Assessment, and Wireless Security for the School of Engineering Management and Applied Science (SEAS), at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and Cryptology, Data Protection, Intrusion Detection, Computer Forensics and Risk Assessment at UMUC Graduate School, for the ITS Department, College Park, MD. At UMUC, Professor Nichols was nominated twice (2004-2005) for the prestigious Stanley J. Drazek Teaching Excellence Award. At the Center for Applied Information Technology, Towson University, he taught Risk Assessment and Information Security, Computer Systems Development Lifecycle and Middleware, and IT Architecture and Information Security. Nichols is co-developer of the five core courses for the new Towson University Homeland Security and Infrastructure Protection Masters Program (IHSM). He teaches IHSM 611, Critical National Infrastructures, online. Professor Nichols has been an invited lecturer at the FBI National Academy at Quantico, VA.
Professor Nichols is certified as a Federal Expert Witness (Defense) in both Cryptography and Computer Forensics. He is considered an expert on Counter-Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism methodologies as applied to INFOWAR. Nichols is a professional speaker and regularly presents material at professional conferences, international technology meetings, schools and client in-house locations, on Cryptography and Information Security (INFOSEC).
Professor Nichols is currently writing his sixth title on information security: Counter-Terrorism in Practice: Targets of Opportunity. His previous books (with co-author Panos Lekkas) include: Wireless Security: Models, Threats and Solutions, McGraw Hill, 2002, a definitive textbook on the security of wireless systems and Defending Your Digital Assets: Against Hackers, Crackers, Spies and Thieves, (with co-authors Dan and Julie Ryan) McGraw Hill, 2000, a best-selling title on the subjects of cryptography and information security (INFOSEC) countermeasures. Defending is used as the graduate INFOSEC textbook at the George Washington University, James Madison University, University of Maryland, Rowan College of New Jersey, Iowa State University, Eastern Michigan State University, and Yonsei University, Korea. Nichols' previous books, The ICSA Guide to Cryptography McGraw Hill, 1998, and Classical Cryptography Course, Volumes I & II, Aegean Park Press, 1995, and 1996, have gained recognition and industry respect for Nichols. Nichols was the Wiley invited author for Chapter 74, Wireless Information Warfare in their December 2005, 3-volume Handbook of Information Security, edited by Hossein Bigoli.
Nichols holds BSChE and MSChE degrees from Tulane University and Texas A & M University, respectively and an MBA from University of Houston. He is currently completing a Doctorate of Science Degree in Information Security (INFOSEC) at George Washington University, School of Engineering Management and Applied Science (SEAS) in Washington, D.C.
Professor Nichols holds a TS / SCI security clearance (USDOJ) with current BI (3/02/2002) done by FBI.
Areas of Expertise Research Interests
Counter Terrorism / Counter Espionage Attack / Defense Scenarios
Computer Forensics, Criminal Justice and Intrusion Detection
Red Team Preparation / Planning; Live Fire Drills / Effective Incident Response
Homeland Security and First Responder Training
Information Assurance, Data Integrity, Cryptographic Countermeasures
Risk Assessment and Incident Management / Mitigation
Cryptographic / Steganographic Signature /System Identification for Traffic Analysis