Senior Student Fellows

NOAH BINETTE ’21

Noah Binette ’21 is a second-semester senior at Norwich University. He majors in Computer Security and Information Assurance with a concentration in information assurance and a minor in leadership. Noah has been involved with CyFER since his sophomore year, and in his second semester junior year, he became the senior system admin and a senior fellow. Noah interned for a semester at the Washington D.C.-based DreamPort, where he worked on the security of IT, IOT and OT devices. He also ran and participated in the DreamPort Hack the Building event. Following graduation, Noah hopes to work in and around New England in a job that involves cyber and virtualization.  

JACOB FOLSOM ’21

Jacob Folsom ’21 is a senior at Norwich University who is currently studying Computer Security and Information Assurance. He is the owner and operator of the web development company, JFC Coding. Upon graduation, Jacob aspires to work for a government agency in the cybersecurity realm and hopes to expand his knowledge on cybersecurity with an aim of starting a business in that field. Role on Team: Senior student fellow. Motivation: Gain experience that I can carry over to the real world. Keep learning new technologies that will help automate day-to-day activities.

Junior Student Fellows

MICHAEL BENTO ’23

Michael Bento ’23 is a sophomore at Norwich University, pursuing a Computer Security and Information Assurance degree. Michael plays an important role in getting Norwich onto leaderboards and gathering groups of students to compete in cyber competitions and activities. His goal as a CyFER fellow is to find opportunities and exercises for students to experience real-life scenarios and problems within the cyber field. Michael gained experience setting up cyber competitions through an internship with DreamPort, and can use those skills along with his connections to help Norwich students prosper. Role on Team: CyFER competition fellow. Motivation: Diversity of education, experience, social networking.

SARAH LAWHORN ’23

Sarah Lawhorn ’23 is a sophomore at Norwich University pursuing a degree in Computer Security and Information Assurance. She is an active volunteer in the Northfield community, and serves as the president of the Norwich Girls Who Code club, a program she is working on restructuring. After graduation she plans on getting an information assurance management job to gain experience and become a valued professional in the cybersecurity field. Role on Team: Outreach lead. Motivation: Work experience, community involvement, continued education.

DANIEL MULHERIN ’21

Daniel Mulherin ’21 is a senior at Norwich University, working toward a degree in Computer Security and Information Assurance. His aspires to publish papers on technology and security trends. A bot tester on public sites, he looks for online vulnerabilities. After graduation, Daniel plans to pursue advanced certifications to become a pen tester before reaching the title of CSO for a company based on public sales. Role on Team: CyFER project member, CyFER ambassador. Motivation: Certifications, growth in the cyber community.

ROBERT POPELESKI ’21

Robert Popeleski ’21 is a senior at Norwich University majoring in Computer Security and Information Assurance. He serves as a combat medic in the Vermont Army National Guard and operates a freelance business that develops websites and mobile apps. He is currently working through an internship with the EPA and hopes to continue this experience in a full-time capacity when he returns from basic training. Role on team: Research assistant. Motivation: Relevant experience.

CLYDE TAMBURRO ’21

Clyde Tamburro ’21 is a senior at Norwich University pursuing a degree in Computer Security and Information Assurance. He played as kicker for Norwich Football from 2017 to 2020, and a midfielder for Norwich Lacrosse from 2017 to 2021. He co-founded Rocket Consumer Marketing, a digital marketing agency and continues to act as co-owner. Clyde is also a member of the NU Honors Program. After graduation, he plans to pursue an entry-level cyber security position and develop into a skilled penetration tester. Eventually, he hopes to own his own security firm. Role on Team: Research assistant. Motivation: Relevant experience, application of learned skills, diversity of education.

Support Personnel

Huw O. L. Read
Professor
Computer Security and Information Assurance
Director, Center for Cybersecurity and Forensics Education and Research (CyFER)
Director, Global Cyber Threat Observatory

George J. Silowash
Adjunct Faculty
Computer Security and Information Assurance
Norwich University Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Academic Associate Program Director, MSISA Program

Advisory Fellows

DAVID FORBES ’93

Dave Forbes ’93 is a Booz Allen Hamilton Director with over 25 years of experience in defense-related operations and consulting. He is focused on delivering services and solutions in the areas of industrial cyber security and infrastructure engineering. Dave leads Booz Allen’s Navy and Marine Corps Infrastructure and Environment business, supporting clients in the national capital region, as well as across the United States and the Asia Pacific. At Booz Allen, Dave has led teams supporting key initiatives such as Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR), Maritime Domain Awareness, Navy Strategic Planning Process, Marine Corps Program Analysis and Evaluation, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Force Development. He engages with leaders across the defense and federal agency space to understand their current environments, assess their ability to protect critical infrastructure and support mission readiness, and help them make sound program decisions.

Prior to joining Booz Allen, Dave served for 11 years in the U.S. Army. He held command or staff positions at the company through division levels, culminating his time in service in the office of the deputy chief of staff for logistics, headquarters, U.S. Army. During this period, Dave worked as a strategic planner in the office of the secretary of defense, undersecretary of defense for policy. In this role, he worked and coordinated with OSD leadership, combatant commands, secretaries of military departments and service chiefs, as well service staffs and the defense policy community. Dave holds a master’s degree in public policy with concentration in science and technology from the George Mason University School of Public Policy, and a B.A. in international relations from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont. He is the vice chair of the Norwich University Board of Fellows for the School of Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Computing.

DAVID TOOMEY ’85

Dave Toomey ’85 is an assistant vice president at SRC, Inc., a not-for-profit research and development company with over 60 years of experience in defense, environment and intelligence. He is responsible for shaping a strategy that secures new customers and new opportunities, while strengthening established customer relationships. Dave has more than 35 years of experience with the Department of Defense and the defense industry. He is a USAF command pilot and combat veteran with expertise in electronic warfare, low observables, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and cybersecurity. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Norwich University, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Air Force Air War College. In addition, he has completed senior executive leadership training at the Air War College and the Syracuse University national security management course.