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The conference, held in partnership with The Business Council of Westchester (BCW), focused on artificial intelligence's role in cybersecurity

���ҹ�����’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems, in collaboration with , hosted a conference exploring cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative role in fortifying cybersecurity measures.

As part of the BCW’s yearlong , the conference examined advances and challenges in artificial intelligence and how it is impacting the world of cybersecurity in business and academia within the context of Westchester County.

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The panel consisted of business leaders, cybersecurity experts, and faculty from the Seidenberg School of at ���ҹ�����. This includes Vipul Nagrath, senior vice president of product development for , , CTO and co-founder of Progressive Computing, , partner for , Jonathan Hill, dean of the Seidenberg School, Joe Acampora, clinical assistant professor of information technology and director of ���ҹ����� Cyber Range, , professor of information technology and executive director of ���ҹ����� Cyber Center, and David Sachs, professor of information technology.

“We’re honored to host such an important conversation about the role of AI in cybersecurity and proud of our continued partnership with the Business Council of Westchester,” said Marvin Krislov, president of ���ҹ�����. ”AI is changing the ways in which we do work and we’re constantly identifying ways to harness it on behalf of our students. With our cutting-edge research, exceptional & dedicated faculty, and world-class facilities like our Cyber Range, we are prepared for what the future holds and are ready to lead the way in this field.”

“Here at ���ҹ�����, we’re blessed with a deep bench of faculty and staff doing exceptional work on the frontlines of AI and cybersecurity,” said Jonathan Hill, dean of the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems. “At the same time, there are very intelligent people working to undermine those efforts.”

“Our reliance on digital infrastructure increases every day, making cybersecurity more important than ever,” said Marsha Gordon, president and CEO of BCW. “BCW is proud to lead these critical discussions on how AI's role in cybersecurity, especially for the business community.”

“AI can be used as a tool to defend our technological systems, but it can also be used and exploited to attack them,” said Li-Chiou Chen., Professor of Information Technology and Executive Director of ���ҹ����� Cyber Center “How we train, reinforce, and maintain the AI systems that we use to protect our cybersecurity will ultimately determine their success.”

“AI is an amazing thing, but we have to remember that it’s not a set and forget technological solution for cybersecurity,” said Joe Acampora, Clinical Assistant Professor of Information Technology and Director of ���ҹ����� Cyber Range. “We need to be constantly monitoring and upgrading because hackers are doing the same.”

���ҹ����� has focused on experiential learning, expanding its commitment in academic areas such as IT, artificial intelligence and cyber. ���ҹ�����’s Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems is one of the country’s few (CAE-CDE) with a re-designation from the (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA). In addition, ���ҹ����� recently signed an Education Partnership Agreement with the NSA to play a major role in developing talent and tools for possible national security challenges.

The Seidenberg School recently opened an intelligence lab on ���ҹ�����’s. The AI lab offers training opportunities for students, staff, faculty business and community members. On the Pleasantville campus, ���ҹ����� opened a , a state-of-the-art lab where students learn how to identify and defend against cybersecurity attacks in real-time through interactive, simulated platforms.

Next year, ���ҹ����� plans to offer two new graduate programs focused on Artificial Intelligence. These programs include a Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, which places a strong emphasis on theory and the development of AI applications. The second program will be a Master of Science in Applied Artificial Intelligence and provide students with hands-on training on how AI can be used in business and other areas to generate value.

About ���ҹ�����

Since 1906, ���ҹ����� has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, ���ҹ����� offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at ���ҹ�����

The Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at ���ҹ����� is a leading institute of technology education. Students experience a dynamic and expansive technology education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the first comprehensive schools of computing in the nation, the Seidenberg School is strategically located in the heart of NYC’s tech scene, right on the doorstep of New York’s most promising companies. With access to established tech giants and exciting new start-ups from both the New York City and the Westchester campus, Seidenberg offers the opportunity to connect, intern with, and enjoy lucrative tech jobs following graduation. Through partnerships with leading tech firms, banks, federal agencies, and global institutions, the school’s curricula and programs are designed to ground students in the fundamentals while offering numerous hands-on experiential learning opportunities. The faculty includes numerous experts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, game development, software engineering, and much more, who operate labs and centers providing students with practical experience and connections that lead to impressive internships and jobs.

Patricia (Tricia) Feighan ‘94 and her daughter, Michelle, a current 2L at Haub Law, have deep family ties to ���ҹ�����. “My father, Philip B. Blank, was Associate Dean for External Affairs and Professor of Law at what was then known as ���ҹ����� School of Law,” said Tricia. “He was a huge advocate for the Law School and for women to pursue legal careers. He encouraged me early on to pursue my dream of following in his footsteps.” Deciding to attend Haub Law was a natural choice for Tricia. She was working full-time and while she wanted to pursue her dream of the law, she also needed to continue working. “Haub Law was known to have a great part-time program with many night classes and the location was ideal. I knew if I attended Haub Law, I would have a solid foundation to begin my law career.”

While it was at an early age that Tricia started thinking about going to law school, the decision came a bit later to her daughter, Michelle. “As a history major in my undergraduate studies, I had a strong interest in American History,” said Michelle. “I developed an appreciation for the American justice system and enjoyed learning about how the development of our country shaped our laws and the U.S. Constitution. I also took note of the attorneys throughout history who brought about positive change to our world through their careers. I noticed how a legal degree could advance someone’s skills and knowledge, and also give them the ability to bring positive change to people’s lives. While my mother’s career as an attorney had made me consider law school, my interest in my studies was ultimately why I decided to pursue a legal career. Once I took an interest in attending law school, my mother was extremely excited for me. The strong family affiliation with ���ҹ����� was a bonus for me once I decided to pursue a law degree. Between that, and the positive experiences I had heard of students who did attend Haub Law, I was confident that I would receive a high-quality education to prepare me for my future legal career.”

Thus far, Michelle’s law school experience has been an extremely positive one. “I have truly enjoyed my classes and am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such intelligent and experienced professors. I have spent the past year interning as a law clerk at an immigration law firm, which has provided me with valuable hands-on experience working at a small firm. However, having taken an interest in criminal law classes throughout my 2L year, I have recently accepted an offer as an intern with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office for this upcoming summer. I feel that the education I am receiving and the experiences I have had in and out of the classroom are preparing me well for my legal career.”

Looking back, Tricia had a similarly positive experience during her time at Haub Law. “I was working during the day, attending law school at night, and I had my first two children while I was in law school. Haub Law allowed me, as a working mother, to be able to fulfill my dream of being an attorney. After a number of years practicing post-law school, I decided to leverage my technical undergraduate degree in addition to my law degree. Having graduated college from ���ҹ����� with a Bachelor of Science in computer science, I was eligible to take the patent bar. I am a registered patent attorney with the USPTO and employed by IBM as an IP law attorney. I am currently Counsel and Manager of a patent department.”

For both Tricia and Michelle, attending the same law school has played such a positive role in both of their lives and careers. “My mother has truly supported me along the way and helped me pursue this path,” said Michelle. “When deciding which school to attend, I had the chance to listen to her experiences as a student at Haub Law and understand how this school helped her get to where she is today. She was a strong influence on my decision to choose Haub Law. Now, as a 2L, I enjoy talking to her about my current classes and sharing my experiences. We even discuss professors that we now both have had the opportunity to learn from. I am truly grateful to get to share this part of my life with my mother, it has been a very special experience for both of us.”

For Tricia, life has come full circle with her daughter attending Haub Law, albeit a bit bittersweet. “I think so highly of ���ҹ����� and was so excited when Michelle decided to attend the same law school that I did, but also that my father was so proud to work at for so many years,” said Tricia. “Although my father passed away while I was in college, I know he was watching over me as I pursued my dream and I want Michelle to know that I will always be cheering her on and encouraging her, just as my father did for me. I graduated from law school on my father’s birthday. I know in my heart he is so proud to see Michelle and I have carried on the family legal legacy and even more proud we both attended ���ҹ�����, a school he believed in, was dedicated to and was so passionate about.”