Alan Paller (September 17, 1945 - November 9, 2021) was a

cyber security Computer security (also cybersecurity, digital security, or information technology (IT) security) is a subdiscipline within the field of information security. It consists of the protection of computer software, systems and networks from thr ...

expert, the founder of the

SANS Institute The SANS Institute (officially the Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies) is a private U.S. for-profit company founded in 1989 that specializes in information security, cybersecurity training, and selling certificates. Topics available for tr ...

, and the founder and former president of

SANS Technology Institute The SANS Institute (officially the Escal Institute of Advanced Technologies) is a private United States, U.S. for-profit company founded in 1989 that specializes in information security, cybersecurity training, and selling certificates. Topics a ...

Biography

Alan Terry Paller was born on September 17, 1945 in

Indianapolis Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

Indiana Indiana ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Michigan to the northwest, Michigan to the north and northeast, Ohio to the east, the Ohio River and Kentucky to the s ...

. In 1967, he graduated from

Cornell University Cornell University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States. The university was co-founded by American philanthropist Ezra Cornell and historian and educator Andrew Dickson W ...

with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He received his masters in 1968 from

Massachusetts Institute of Technology The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a Private university, private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1861, MIT has played a significant role in the development of many areas of moder ...

. After graduation, he worked for the Institute for Defense Analysis where he learned of

security risks In simple terms, risk is the possibility of something bad happening. Risk involves uncertainty about the effects/implications of an activity with respect to something that humans value (such as health, well-being, wealth, property or the environ ...

in computer systems for missile-defense needs. Paller co-founded the

in 1989 with his wife to promote efficient system management and secure operations. In 2005, he founded the SANS Technology Institute where he held the position of the

President Emeritus ''Emeritus/Emerita'' () is an honorary title granted to someone who retires from a position of distinction, most commonly an academic faculty position, but is allowed to continue using the previous title, as in "professor emeritus". In some ca ...

. 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. In 2010, he was named as one of seven people “worth knowing in cyber security” by the Washington Post. In 2012, he was named, along with

Jeff Moss Jeff Moss (June 19, 1942 – September 25, 1998) was an American composer, lyricist, playwright and television writer, best known for his award-winning work on the children's television series ''Sesame Street''. Early life Moss was born in ...

, as co-chairs of the

Department of Homeland Security The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior, home, or public security ministries in other countries. Its missions invol ...

task force on cyber skills.

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

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Paller, Alan 1945 births 2021 deaths People from Indianapolis Chief executives of computer security organizations Computer security specialists Massachusetts Institute of Technology