Fall Security Speaker Series-House

01 Oct
Tuesday, 10/01/2019 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Computer Science Building, Room 151
Special Event
Speaker: Arthur H. House

Abstract:  The digital age - the marriage of the computer and the Internet - has brought the world previously unimaginable opportunities and concurrent dangers.  Our daily routines and our survival are now tied to dependence on vital services.  At the same time, the ability to penetrate and compromise digital services and operations presents the potential for unprecedented disruption and damage.  We have become dependent on the digital world, we need to defend ourselves and states have critical roles in cyber resilience and recovery.

This presentation describes sources of cybersecurity threats and discusses the kinds of threats they pose for individuals and governments, the business community, elections and propaganda and national security.

States have unprecedented responsibilities in ensuring cyber resilience, especially in critical infrastructure.  Given the incomplete and evolving federal response to cybersecurity challenges, states need to fill the voids and also incorporate cyber matters into their existing state responsibilities.  Connecticut manages annual critical infrastructure reviews and assessments. In addition, Connecticut addresses cybersecurity programs in state government, municipal government, business, higher education and law enforcement.  

Should there be a cyber attack on critical infrastructure involving prolonged loss of electricity, the states would be faced with acute demands requiring anticipation, prior planning and response rehearsal.  

Specific steps are available for individuals, governments, businesses and organizations to increase their cyber resilience.  We need to recognize our vulnerabilities enhance our ability to defend against a cyber compromise and plan to manage one when it arrives.

Bio:  Arthur House became Chief Cybersecurity Risk Officer for the State of Connecticut in October 2016 after four years as Chairman of Connecticut's Public Utilities Regulatory Authority. His work includes cybersecurity strategy and action plans in the Black Sea and Balkan regions.  

House has a background in national security, having served as Director of Communications in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.  As a White House Fellow, he was Special Projects Officer at the National Security Council.

He worked in Asia and Africa as an economist and loan officer for the World Bank and as a member of the Bank's Policy Planning and Program Review staff.  He was a Congressional Adviser to the United States Mission to the United Nations.

In the private sector, House held senior positions at Webster Bank and at Cigna, Aetna, and Tenneco.  He is currently on the Board of Directors of American Superconductor Corporation.  

In the United States Senate, House was Chief of Staff toSenate Majority Leader Robert Byrd and Senator Abraham Ribicoff and Legislative Assistant to Senator Chris Dodd.  Specific assignments included the Camp David Peace Agreement, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty and the Tokyo Round Trade Negotiations.

House is a graduate of Tufts College and has a Ph.D degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts.  He has published a book and several articles on international relations subjects and held faculty positions at Fletcher and at the University of Connecticut and Georgetown University.

He was a member of the East Granby Volunteer Fire Department and currently serves on the boards of the Oceans Exploratory Trust, the Connecticut World Affairs Council and the Simsbury Free Library.

House is married to Rita Jepsen. They live in Simsbury, Connecticut. 

Co-host:  Mila Sherman, Isenberg School of Management.

Faculty Hosts: Brian Levine/Mila Sherman

 

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