Dr. Donna Schaeffer elected to Board of Women in Defense, joins international working group for cybersecurity education solutions

Dr. Donna Schaeffer, Professor of IT, Data Science and Cybersecurity at Marymount University, has been elected to the Board of Women in Defense, an affiliate of the National Defense Industrial Association.
 
The group offers strategic networking, education and career development opportunities for members who come from industry and defense organizations of every size – all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, government agencies, academia, think tanks, associations and professional service organizations.
 
“Cyberspace is now considered the fifth domain – after land, sea, air and space,” Dr. Schaeffer said. “Our country’s digital infrastructure is considered a national security asset. I look forward to being part of this diverse group and facilitating students and other faculty members to interact on initiatives and projects.”
 
In addition, Dr. Schaeffer has also been invited to participate in an international working group dedicated to supporting cybersecurity clinics at colleges and universities. These clinics will be structured to provide educational, hands-on training opportunities for students while also serving as valuable resources to local communities. The working group is also striving to expand the existing Centers of Academic Excellence program to encourage cybersecurity coursework in other fields such as business, law and health care.
 
The group’s origins stem from the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC), which was established in the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act that presented 80 recommendations for defending cyberspace. Working groups have been formed to develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the U.S. against cyberattacks of “significant consequences.”
 
“I’m excited to be part of this group – we have several students who are working on cybersecurity-related topics in public health, diplomacy, international relations and criminal justice, so we have always taken an interdisciplinary view of cybersecurity,” Dr. Schaeffer explained. “Our doctoral students will be able to participate in clinics, as well as lead clinics for the community and other students.”