About Us : University of Dayton, Ohio

About the Center

Network hub The Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence fosters collaborative research and experiential learning in an engaging, multifunctional hub space in the heart of the University of Dayton campus. The impetus for a center stems from a growing need for trained cybersecurity workforce as well as new, better methods for mitigating cybersecurity threats.

By bringing together experts from different disciplines to collaboratively address data security and analysis, the center drives developments in the theory and practice of cybersecurity and data intelligence. It provides an emphasis on understanding and predicting cyber risks, as well as responding to and recovering from cyber-attacks.

In the arena of data intelligence, the center also explores and utilizes rich techniques, such as data mining and machine learning. It is envisioned that the convergence of data intelligence and cybersecurity may produce more effective and resilient information security practices. In addition, the center hosts tools and applications needed for data analysis, allowing organizations to develop new knowledge and make better informed decisions.

Meet Our Team

Grant Neeley, Center Director

Grant Neeley is a professor of political science and the director of the Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence.

He previously served as chair of the Department of Political Science from 2014-2023. Previous positions include the Director of Graduate Academic Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences (2014-2015), and Director of the Master of Public Administration program (2007-2014). Grant held previous faculty appointments at Ball State University and Texas Tech University.

He teaches and conducts research across a range of topics in public policy, public administration and political science. Grant is the co-editor of a Routledge Press monograph The Practice of Government Public Relations and has published over 30 journal articles and book chapters. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from Texas A&M and received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Tennessee. Additional professional education includes: Joint Professional Military Education Phase 1 from the U.S. Air Command and Staff College; the NATO Psychological Operations course; and a Graduate Certificate in Cyber-Security Management from the University of Dayton.

Grant also serves as a Captain in the U.S. Navy Reserve with deployments in support of joint multinational operations in the Arabian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany.

Zhongmei Yao, Research Director

Zhongmei Yao is an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science.

She joined UD in 2009 after receiving her Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Her passion for teaching and research led her to UD.

She truly enjoys programming computers. She likes the complexity involved with technology and being able to conduct extensive research in this area.

Faculty

David Salisbury, Sherman-Standard Register Professor of Cybersecurity Management; Senior Fellow, Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence, Department of MIS, Operations/Supply Chain and Business Analytics.
James D. Robinson, Professor Emeritus of Communication; Senior Fellow, Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence
Jaime Carazo, Assistant Professor of Practice of Criminal Justice and Security Studies; Fellow, Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence
Mark Visger, Assistant Professor of Practice of Criminal Justice and Security Studies; Fellow, Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence

Affiliated Faculty (Cyber Defense Concentration)

From the Department of Computer Science:

James Buckley, Associate Professor
Raghava Gowda, Associate Professor
Luan Nguyen, Assistant Professor
Tam Nguyen, Assistant Professor
Tom Ongwere, Assistant Professor
Phu H. Phung, Associate Professor, Cyber Defense Concentration Point of Contact (POC)
Ju Shen, Associate Professor
R. Sritharan, Professor
Nicholas Stiffler, Assistant Professor
Mehdi R. Zargham, Professor

Industry Advisory Board

The Department of Computer Science's industry advisory board meets annually to recommend a set of modifications to enhance our programs, enrollments and retention. Additionally, the board recommends issues such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence that are important to the computer science industry.

Partner: Premier Health

In addition to making a substantial gift to establish the center, Premier collaborates with the University's faculty experts and information technology staff to identify and test new cybersecurity practices, create education and awareness programs for employees, and share best practices with the greater Dayton community.

Becoming a Partner

Partnering is more than just research. It's aligning the strengths of UD's academic and research capabilities with the special interests and needs of your industry's business. Sharing expertise and perspectives while challenging each other with current, vital issues sparks innovative, practical solutions.

The Cybersecurity Center seeks to partner with local and regional organizations trying to tackle technical and human behavior elements of information security. We especially focus in the following areas:

Healthcare
Financial, Legal, and Insurance
Critical Infrastructure and Utilities
DOD/Government Agencies

Potential Collaboration Activities with Lead Practice Partners

Healthcare IT internships and co-ops.
Cybersecurity innovation workshops/institutes/briefings.
Technology Sandbox and Cyber Range.
Cybersecurity tabletop exercises.
Co-delivered community outreach.
Social engineering testing and training.
Ongoing commitment to co-develop, present, and publish regional and national papers as well as cases on collaborative IT security best practices and innovations.

Collaboration Opportunities and Benefits

Partnering with the Center for Cybersecurity and Data Intelligence offers organizations valuable insight, experience and thus a competitive edge.

As partners, organizations receive various collaboration opportunities with lasting benefits, including:

Premium access to UD students and graduates for internship and employment recruitment.
Exclusive access to the Center for tours and briefings.
Discounted Access to the Center's training and continuing education workshops, institutes, and certification sessions.
Quarterly briefings on the latest cyber threats and developments, which are provided by the Center's affiliated cyber experts.
Collaborative research opportunities.
Membership on the Center's advisory council.
Sponsorship acknowledgement in the Center's facilities and publications.
Shared reputational benefit of partnering with the University, as well as regional and national firms/organizations.
Demonstrated evidence of your organization's ongoing commitment to cybersecurity's leading practices.