Cuomo Names UAlbany Dean of College of Computing and Information to Lead His Cyber Security Advisory Board

Dr. Peter Bloniarz will be executive director and senior policy advisor within group of experts devising strategies against cyber threats.

Peter Bloniarz

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 10, 2013) — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the appointment of Dr. Peter Bloniarz to serve as the Executive Director and Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor’s Cyber Security Advisory Board. Dr. Bloniarz is currently the Dean of the College of Computing and Information at the University at Albany. As a result of the appointment, Dr. Bloniarz will take a leave from his dean position but will remain employed by UAlbany.

On May 10, 2013, Cuomo announced the Cyber Advisory Board, which is working with the administration on innovative strategies to keep New Yorkers safe from cyber threats. The board will advise the administration on developments in cyber security and make recommendations for protecting the state’s critical infrastructure and information systems. The board members named in May are among the world’s leading experts in cyber security and bring vast experience in both the public and private sectors.

“As more of our daily activities are linked to the internet, it is crucial that we take the necessary measures to protect ourselves against cyber attacks, and that includes hiring the best and brightest in the cyber security field to head up our advisory board,” said Cuomo. “Peter is an experienced professional in this field, and his work will be vital in helping to shield New Yorkers, businesses and state government from cyber threats, such as identity theft and consumer fraud. I thank Peter for answering the call to serve the people of the State of New York.”

“Governor Cuomo has selected an extraordinarily skilled group of professionals to serve on his Cyber Security Advisory Board," said Bloniarz. "I am pleased to have the opportunity to work with these experienced individuals, and develop recommendations for programs and policies that will realize the Governor’s vision of a New York State that is safe from cyber threats and cyber attacks. As someone who has spent many years building academic programs at the University at Albany that have helped build capacity in government, it is an honor to be selected to work more directly with the Governor’s Advisory Board to help the state protect its citizens in today’s interconnected world.”

William Pelgrin, Co-Chair of the Cyber Security Advisory Board, said, “Throughout his career, Peter has demonstrated a commitment to translating technology research into practical programs that benefit the public sector. His expertise in working to develop better approaches to cyber security will serve the Governor¹s Cyber Security Advisory Board well and help New York State be better prepared to deal with the complex cyber security challenges it faces.”

“I would like to extend my congratulations to Dean Bloniarz on this most exciting and well-deserved appointment. This is a tremendous honor for Dr. Bloniarz, as well as a point of pride for our entire University at Albany community,” said University at Albany President Robert J. Jones. “Over the past three decades, Dean Bloniarz has spearheaded numerous innovative academic and research programs in the area of information technology. We are thrilled that he has now been asked by the Governor to advise the Administration on the important issue of cyber security and to make recommendations to better protect the state’s critical infrastructure assets and information systems.”

Prior to becoming dean, Bloniarz was the Interim Vice President for Research. He was one of the founders and research director of the University’s award-winning Center for Technology in Government. An advocate for quality teaching at research universities, he received the SUNY Chancellor’s Medallion for Excellence in Teaching and served as interim director of the University’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. He joined the computer science department at UAlbany in 1977 after receiving his doctorate from M.I.T. He is one of the University’s Collins Fellows.

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