Cyber Disruptor

A headshot of professor Douglas White
Professor Douglas White

Douglas White, Professor

Cybersecurity
Faculty

Professor Douglas White was one of the earliest pioneers in cybersecurity. And now, with the increased use of technology worldwide and headlines ranging from hackings to national surveillance, almost everyone understands what he鈥檚 known all along: cybersecurity is a massive issue.

鈥淭he threat to cyber systems has been perceived by average people,鈥 he says. People might not understand how it happens, but 鈥渆veryone understands the consequences,鈥 he says.

A recognized expert in the technology industry, Professor White has worked in the industry for over 20 years. He hosts 鈥淪ecure Digital Life,鈥 a weekly podcast, and is a core member of R.I.鈥檚 Cyberdisruption Team, a citizen support entity of cyber experts which works with Rhode Island鈥檚 state police and emergency management agency. He brings the experience he鈥檚 gained working as a security consultant, technology specialist, penetration tester, forensics analyst, and more to his teaching.

鈥淎ll my classes are hands-on classes based on real world certifications and experience. [All of our courses] were designed by industry experts. I sat down with all of them and said, 鈥榳hat do you want [our graduates] to know.鈥

Many of White鈥檚 students 鈥 both current and those now graduated 鈥 are on the front lines of the cyber war, working for security firms, government intelligence agencies and the military, monitoring threats and preventing attacks.

With 草榴社区鈥檚 small class sizes and high faculty to student ratio, students have the opportunity to make meaningful one-on-one connections with 草榴社区 professors 鈥 like White 鈥 who bring their real-world experience into the classroom.