Randall K. Nichols is Chief Technical Officer of INFOSEC Technologies, a consulting firm specializing in Cryptographic, Anti-Virus, Anti-Hacking and Anti-Terrorism computer security countermeasures to support information security (INFOSEC) requirements of its approximately 1400 commercial, educational and U. S. government clients.
Previously, Nichols served as CEO of COMSEC Solutions, a cryptographic / anti-virus / biometrics countermeasures company which was acquired by a public company in 2000. Nichols (a.k.a. LANAKI) served as Technology Director of Cryptography and Biometrics for the International Computer Security Association (ICSA) and President and Vice President of the American Cryptogram Association (ACA). Nichols is internationally respected, with 38 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in cryptography and INFOSEC computer applications in the engineering, consulting, construction, and chemicals industries. He is a Director of Invisimail, Ltd.
Professor Nichols teaches graduate level courses in INFOSEC, Cryptography and Systems Applications Management and Policy at the School of Engineering Management and Applied Science (SEAS), at the prestigious George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He has taught cryptography at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Mr. Nichols is a professional speaker and regularly presents material at professional conferences, international technology meetings, schools and client in-house locations, on Cryptography and information security (INFOSEC).
INFOWAR and Terror: Targets of Opportunity is Professor Nichols' sixth title on information security. His previous books include: Wireless Security, a definitive textbook on the security of wireless systems and Defending Your Digital Assets: Against Hackers, Crackers, Spies and Thieves, his best-selling title on the subjects of cryptography and information security (INFOSEC) countermeasures. Defending is used as the graduate INFOSEC textbook at the George Washington University, James Madison University, University of Maryland, Rowan College of New Jersey, Iowa State University, Eastern Michigan State University, and Yonsei University, Korea. Nichols' previous books, The ICSA Guide to Cryptography (McGraw Hill Professional Books, 1998) and Classical Cryptography Course, Volumes I and II (Aegean Park Press, 1995) have gained recognition and industry respect for Nichols.
Nichols holds BSChE and MSChE degrees from Tulane University and Texas A & M University, respectively, and an MBA from University of Houston. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Science Degree in Information Security (INFOSEC) at George Washington University, School of Engineering Management and Applied Science (SEAS) in Washington, D.C. In 1995, Nichols was awarded a 2nd DAN (Black Belt) by the American and Korean Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan Associations.
Professor Nichols holds a TS / SCI security clearance (USDOJ) with current BI done by FBI.
Defending Your Digital Assets: Against Hackers, Crackers, Spies and Thieves