Eugene Spafford, an IEEE Fellow, has devoted more than 20 years to developing reliable computing and network security systems, and he has worked on improving information security, computer crime investigation, and information ethics. The proposed members of PITAC the total of 25 are leading IT authorities are to provide President Bush with expert, independent advice on advanced information technologies.

Gene Spafford became interested in computers as an undergraduate at the State University of New York Brockport, USA. Then, while working toward his master's and doctoral degrees at Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, USA, he got hooked on microcoding and operating systems development, and also fell in love with teaching. He also was intrigued by computer reliability and security issues.

Spafford, a professor of computer sciences and philosophy at Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., USA, is founder of Purdue's Center of Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS), an interdisciplinary organization with faculty and students representing six schools. As director of CERIAS, he oversees one of the world's leading centers for exploring the technologies and methods for ensuring information security and reliable software. With support from industry sponsors, CERIAS operates a range of programs from the purely technical, such as intrusion detection and network security, to those dealing with ethical, legal, educational, and economic issues. The center also offers instruction for preparing K-12 education curricula in computers.

BY Helen Horowitz, The Institute, September 2003