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Signaling growing attention in both academic and policy circles to issues surrounding cyber security, the Monterey Institute recently announced the hiring of Dr. Itamara Lochard as the director of its new Cyber Security Initiative.

“Dr. Lochard is superbly qualified to lead the Monterey Institute’s efforts to develop a dynamic and innovative academic, research, and training program addressing the critical emerging global issue of cyber security,” said President Sunder Ramaswamy.

Dr. Lochard comes to the Monterey Institute from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, where as a senior researcher she has been tracking and modeling the uses of cyber and technology by insurgents, terrorists, criminal organizations and gangs. A highly regarded expert in the cyber security field, she works closely with various organizations and countries, including the U.S. Department of Defense and NATO Centers of Excellence on cyber, counter-terrorism and HUMINT. She also commanded the first U.S. civilian cyber defense force.

“I’m absolutely delighted to join this collaborative group of innovative scholars at the Monterey Institute,” commented Dr. Lochard. “It’s the perfect place to create the ‘whole of society,’ interdisciplinary platform needed to both assess and address how technology has changed conflict and conflict resolution in the 21st century. The Institute has the unique ability to reach many continents and cull input from Silicon Valley, military, academic, and policy worlds. This ideal mix fosters strategic partnerships crucial to sustaining a true community of interest among key leaders and providing excellent education.”

Dr. Lochard holds four graduate degrees from Stanford University and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She is also a certified mediator and received a medal of honor for special services by the Estonian Cyber Defense League.

The Cyber Security Initiative at the Monterey Institute has received generous seed funding from George Lee, a member of the Institute’s Board of Governors.

For More Information

Jason Warburg
jwarburg@middlebury.edu
831.647.3156

Eva Gudbergsdottir
eva@middlebury.edu
831.647.6606