Alan Paller

Director of Research, SANS Institute

Alan Paller is the director of research for the SANS Institute, responsible for projects ranging from the Internet Storm Center (the Internet's early warning system with 500,00 sensors around the world) to the Top Ten Security Menaces of the coming year. He also edits NewsBites, the twice-a-week summary of the most important news stories in security. But he says his most satisfying responsibility is finding people who have solved important security problems and helping others learn about the people and their discoveries. Alan earned degrees in computer science and engineering from Cornell and MIT. He wrote hundreds of articles on computer graphics, EIS and computer security, and authored two books, The EIS Book: Information Systems for Top Managers and How to Give the Best Presentation of Your Life. In 2001 the President named Alan as one of the original members of the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, and in 2005 the Federal CIO Council chose him as its Azimuth Award winner recognizing his singular vision and outstanding service to federal information technology.