CAREER CONVERSATION with NSA Technical Director for the Information Assurance Directorate

Monday, July 18, 2011

Speaker: Richard George '70, National Security Agency Technical Director for the Information Assurance Directorate

This session will cover the following topics:

• Discussion of the NSA mission and how it has changed over the years

• What life is like at the National Security Agency

• Careers, "Summer" Internships, and other internship opportunities offered year round

• What the NSA is looking for in candidates

Abstract: 

This session will cover a few topics and will be led by Mr. Richard George, Dartmouth Class of '70. It will begin with a discussion of the NSA mission and how that has changed over the past 40 years, both politically and technologically (with all emphasis on the Information Assurance aspect). Mr. George will use real life examples and stories to help explain how things have changed. He'll spend some time talking about what Information Assurance is (in the generic sense and as interpreted by NSA) and will discuss the new four-element Information Assurance model which is emerging internationally. Mr. George will talk about what life is like at NSA today and what career and "summer" intern (intern opportunities are available year round) opportunities exist. He will lead a discussion about what NSA is looking for today when they hire - that they need innovative thinkers who can solve really hard problems on the cutting edge of technology, the team aspects of work at NSA, and the work/life balance. Mr. George also plans to talk about partnerships with industry and academia and how important these partnerships are to the NSA. This session is intended to be a real discussion, with plenty of time for questions and answers, not just a presentation.

Bio:

Mr. George began at the National Security Agency in August 1970 after graduating from Dartmouth College. He started in the Crypto-Math Intern Program, having tours in Research, the SIGINT Directorate, and the Information Assurance Directorate's (IAD) predecessor organization.

Except for a tour in the Signals Intelligence Directorate and one at the Center for Communications Research in Princeton, he has worked in the IAD since 1973. He has served as technical director for organizations at various levels in the directorate, and currently serves as the Technical Director for the Information Assurance Directorate.

As a technical leader, Mr. George works closely with teams and individuals giving advice and direction on specific, as well as general, technical questions; mentors; and serves on various technical boards. He advises the Director of Information Assurance and the Director of NSA on technical issues, and develops strategic direction for the Information Assurance Directorate. He has participated actively in the equity resolution process and served as a liaison to the SID and R math communities.