The history of computing and information security has attracted many brilliant minds that have dedicated their lives to its advancement. Established in 2008, the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame recognises individuals who are pioneers, celebrating and acknowledging the achievements of these internationally recognised information security visionaries, luminaries, practitioners, advocates and thought-leaders. Professor Mary Aiken’s inclusion in Infosecurity Europe’s Hall of Fame recognises her long-term contribution to the information security sector as the world’s leading expert in Forensic Cyberpsychology, her work as an advocate and educator in information security and her role in raising the profile of the information security sector.
Professor Mary Aiken Ph.D, has written and spoken extensively on issues relating to the intersection between people and technology – or as she describes it “where humans and technology collide”. An Adjunct Associate Professor at University College Dublin, Geary Institute for Public Policy, and Academic Advisor (Psychology) to the European Cyber Crime Centre (EC3) at Europol, she has conducted research and training workshops with multiple global agencies, from INTERPOL to the FBI and the White House.
Her research interests include cybersecurity, cyber behavioural profiling, organised cybercrime, cyberstalking, technology-facilitated human trafficking, and the rights of the child online. Mary Aiken’s work as a cyberpsychologist inspired the CBS primetime television series CSI:Cyber and she is a producer on the show. Her recent book, The Cyber Effect has been widely reviewed and was selected by The Times as a 2016 ‘book of the year’ in the Thought Category, and ‘best science pick’ by Nature, the preeminent scientific Journal.
Professor Mary Aiken said: “It is an honour and a privilege to be inducted into the Infosecurity Europe Hall of Fame, particularly as this award is made by members of the Infosecurity community and industry. It is a particular honour to be inducted into a hall of fame that includes one of my personal heroes, the outstanding scientist Alan Turing.
As a forensic cyberpsychologist my aim is to provide insight at the intersection between humans and technology – this is particularly important, and increasingly relevant when it comes to computing and information security. My work and vision focuses on investigating and understanding evolving cyber behaviours, to do this, a theoretically profound, experimentally rigorous, developmentally longitudinal, technically sophisticated and importantly transdisciplinary approach is required”.
Professor Mary Aiken will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during a session on the Keynote Stage at this year’s Infosecurity Europe 2017, taking place at 13.45-14.30 on Thursday 8th June. During the session, Mary will be in conversation with Eleanor Dallaway, Editor & Publisher of Infosecurity Magazine and will discuss her career as a forensic cyberpsychologist, her current research projects, and will share insights on future threats, and the importance of human factors in information security.
Nicole Mills, Exhibition Director of Infosecurity Europe, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Professor Mary Aiken to our Hall of Fame. Her contribution to the field of cyberpsychology and her study of the relationship between humankind and technology has been outstanding. We are very much looking forward to hearing Mary speak at the show and hearing her thoughts on future challenges within the industry.”
To be included in the Hall of Fame, inductees need to have made a clear and long-term contribution to the advancement of information security; have provided intellectual or practical input that has contributed to and accelerated the advancement of information security and also demonstrated creativity and original thinking in information security. Industry luminaries who have been recognised in the Hall of Fame include Brian Honan, Jack Daniel, Dr Eric Cole, Shlomo Kramer, David Lacey, Professor Fred Piper, Professor Howard Schmidt, Bruce Schneier, Whitfield Diffie, Paul Dorey, Stephen Bonner, Dan Kaminsky, Eugene Kaspersky, Phil Zimmerman and Alan Turing.