Alan Paller
Born(1945-09-17)September 17, 1945
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Died(2021-11-09)November 9, 2021
Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Alma materMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering and New Computer Programming Languages (MEng 1968)
Occupation(s)computer security, internet security expert

Alan Paller (September 17, 1945 - November 9, 2021) was a cyber security expert, the founder of the SANS Institute, and the founder and former president of SANS Technology Institute.[1]

Biography

Alan Terry Paller was born on September 17, 1945 in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1967, he graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He received his masters in 1968 from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.[1]

After graduation, he worked for the Institute for Defense Analysis where he learned of security risks in computer systems for missile-defense needs. Paller co-founded the SANS Institute in 1989 with his wife to promote efficient system management and secure operations.[1]

In 2005, he founded the SANS Technology Institute[1] where he held the position of the President Emeritus.

His influence on the industry was recognized through various accolades and appointments, including testifying before the US Senate and House of Representatives and receiving the Azimuth Award in 2005.[2][3] In 2010, he was named as one of seven people “worth knowing in cyber security” by the Washington Post.[4] In 2012, he was named, along with Jeff Moss, as co-chairs of the Department of Homeland Security task force on cyber skills.[1]

Legacy

Paller helped establishing of the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation, an organization that hosts hacking challenges aimed at high school and college students, promoting their participation in the field and held the title of president.[5][6] The foundation awards students who have demonstrated their abilities through GFACT certification exam with the Alan Paller Honor Scholarship by giving both financial award and the status of Scholar with Honors.[7][8]

Center for Internet Security honors his memory through the Alan Paller Laureate Program. The Program awards eligible organizations, academic institutions, or individuals.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Nakashima, Ellen (2021-11-29). "Alan Paller, early leader in cybersecurity awareness, dies at 76". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  2. ↑ "Cyber Security: Developing a National Strategy". Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  3. ↑ "The community: CIO Council honors achievements in government IT". GCN. 2005-04-18. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  4. ↑ "Cybersecurity Industry Titan and SANS Institute Founder Alan Paller Dies at 76 - HS Today". 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  5. ↑ "Alan Paller | SANS Institute". www.sans.org. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  6. ↑ Perlroth, Nicole (2021-11-15). "Alan Paller, a Mover on Cybersecurity Threat, Is Dead at 76". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  7. ↑ "NCSF announces Alan Paller Honor Scholarship for 2022". The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  8. ↑ "The National Cyber Scholarship Foundation and SANS Institute Partner to Reward Exceptional Achievement of More Than 400 Students with an Alan Paller Honor Scholarship for 2022". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  9. ↑ "Md. cybersecurity group lands Alan Paller Laureate Program grant | Maryland Daily Record". 2023-05-03. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
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