Frank Cilluffo

McCrary Institute
Director, McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security
1214E Shelby Center
334.844.2254
Website

Faculty and staff can submit directory updates here.

Education

B.A. International Affairs, George Washington University

Research Interests

Cybersecurity
Critical Infrastructure
National Security
Foreign Policy
Counterterrorism

In The News

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute releases presidential transition task force report on cybersecurity policy amidst rising cyber threats

The McCrary Institute released a report that outlines a series of cyber defense recommendations toward enhancing the nation's cyber resilience while maintaining a competitive edge in an increasingly interconnected world.
Auburn researchers are on the front lines to help prevent cyberattacks

October marks the 21st Cybersecurity Awareness Month, designated by the federal government for public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security announces appointment of two senior defense and policy executives

Craig M. Whittinghill, a U.S. Navy veteran of 29 years, was named deputy director for applied research and services and Kyle D. Klein, who served on Capitol Hill in a variety of senior policy roles for 12 years, was named deputy director for policy and partnerships.
National cyber director part of special livestreamed event hosted Wednesday by McCrary Institute

White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker Jr., will discuss the National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation Plan on a special livestreamed event Wednesday, May 22, 9:30 a.m. CDT, presented by Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security.
Auburn’s McCrary Institute and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to partner on first regional cybersecurity center to protect the nation’s electricity grid

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security was awarded a $10 million Department of Energy grant in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to create a pilot regional cybersecurity research and operations center to protect the electric power grid against cyber attacks.

Southern Company's Goosby named executive-in-residence at McCrary Institute

Auburn Engineering alumnus aims to provide leadership for the development of a collaboration center that aligns to the mission of the McCrary Institute to support the security of critical infrastructure – specifically the electricity sector.
McCrary Institute to host top experts for virtual roundtable on securing space

Event Will Discuss Need to Prioritize Resilience of U.S. Space Systems
Former NSA, U.S. Cyber Command leader visits engineering students, faculty

Michael Rogers, a 1981 Auburn alumnus, shared views on a number of cybersecurity-related topics Friday during a special, interactive discussion
Grand Challenges in Cybersecurity: A Discussion with Admiral Rogers

Students, faculty with an interest in cybersecurity are encouraged to attend
Panel: Cyber resilience integral for development of infrastructure, students

A special online roundtable brought government, private sector leaders together to discuss the merits and implementation of the National Cyber-Informed Engineering Strategy.
Auburn to host national cybersecurity strategy roundtable Tuesday, Aug. 23

Auburn University and the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security will host a special online event Tuesday, featuring leaders from the energy, private and government sectors to discuss the new National Cyber-Informed Engineering Strategy, released by the Department of Energy.
'Mount Rushmore' of cyber experts discuss importance of public, private partnerships

Leading cyber security experts weigh in on utilizing public data to help protect national cyber infrastructure
Auburn to host senior DHS, FBI and NSA cybersecurity officials during D.C. event

Four of the nation’s most senior cybersecurity officials will gather Tuesday, Oct. 19, during an event hosted by Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Infrastructure Security to discuss the next generation of public/private cybersecurity partnerships.
Threat preparedness ... Remembering 9/11 twenty years later

McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security Director Frank Cilluffo shares thoughts on cyber terrorism threats and how to stymie them

Space Command chief explains need for vigilance to protect assets in orbit

Gen. James Dickinson discussed security of U.S. assets in space with Frank Cilluffo, director of Auburn's McCrary Institute

McCrary Institute director shares cyber concerns before House committee

Frank Cilluffo, director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, urged members of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security that cyber defense must begin now with a reformed, unified effort
Bipartisan lawmakers discuss impact of Cyber Diplomacy Act in addressing international threats

U.S. Reps. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., and Michael McCaul, R-Texas, discussed the potential impact of the Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021 in a virtual talk hosted by Auburn's McCrary Institute on Thursday.

U.S. House representatives to discuss Cyber Diplomacy Act during bipartisan Auburn University live virtual event

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute will host U.S. Reps. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, and Jim Langevin, D-R.I., during a bipartisan live virtual event Thursday, April 15, titled “Relaunching the Cyber Diplomacy Act.”
U.S. cyber chief offers ransomware guidance during Auburn talk

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Acting Director Brandon Wales joined the McCrary Institute to discuss CISA's strategy to reduce the risk of ransomware across the nation by raising awareness and instigating actions to combat this evolving threat.

CISA Acting Director to discuss ransomware attacks during Auburn University live virtual event

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute will host U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Acting Director Brandon Wales on Monday, March 22, during a live virtual event titled “A Discussion on Ransomware with the Acting CISA Director.”
Rep. John Katko discusses cyber, homeland security in McCrary Institute virtual event

Rep. John Katko discussed the interconnectivity of cyber and homeland security with Auburn University's McCrary Institute Director Frank Cilluffo during a virtual session on Tuesday.

Cyber and homeland security priorities for 117th Congress to be laid out during live Auburn virtual event

Auburn University’s McCrary Institute will host Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y. and ranking member of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, to discuss the 117th Congress’ cyber and homeland security priorities during a live virtual event Tuesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. CT.
Auburn taps prominent cybersecurity expert to lead research for McCrary Institute

Marcus Sachs, a security executive with nearly 40 years of public and private sector professional experience, was announced today as the McCrary Institute’s deputy director for research. Sachs, whose appointment was effective Dec. 1, will lead, coordinate and expand the institute’s cyber and critical infrastructure security research portfolio. He will initially serve as Auburn’s principal investigator supporting a multi-institution initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a national network of institutes that will educate and train dynamic and diverse cybersecurity professionals.
FBI to unveil new cyber strategy during Auburn University virtual event

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will unveil its new cyber strategy this week during a virtual event hosted by Auburn University’s McCrary Institute. The FBI's top cyber executives will discuss the Bureau's new cyber strategy during the event Thursday, Oct. 1, at 9 a.m. CT.
McCrary Institute to host virtual event on election security amid COVID-19

With Election Day just weeks away, many are concerned about the security of the process relating to cyber threats, voter registration databases and COVID-19. Auburn University’s McCrary Institute will host a virtual event to address those concerns Tuesday, Sept. 22, with special guest Matt Masterson, senior advisor for election security for the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Three Auburn engineers featured in cybersecurity episode of ‘Reinventing School’

McCrary Institute Director Frank Cilluffo and students Charlie Harper and Vicki McLendon were recently featured on a new episode of “Reinventing School,” a web series that examines the future of education as schools have increasingly shifted to digital platforms in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auburn’s Cilluffo to testify before House committee on intelligence and emerging threats and capabilities

Auburn University’s Frank Cilluffo will once again testify in front of Congress on Thursday to address recommendations made by the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission in March.

DOE official will discuss securing the power grid in Auburn livestream June 2

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Sean Plankey will offer remarks on the Department of Energy’s support of the energy sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, which will be followed by a conversation with McCrary Institute Director Frank Cilluffo on other key issues.
Auburn University partners with U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission for live virtual event

Following its official report on cybersecurity strategy and policy recommendations in March, the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission will partner with Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security on Wednesday, April 29, for a 90-minute live event titled “Is Deterrence Possible in Cyberspace?”.
McCrary Institute director contributes to federal cyber commission report

The U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission released its official report on cybersecurity strategy and policy recommendations during a press conference Wednesday in Washington, DC. Frank Cilluffo, director of Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security, serves as one of 14 members on the commission. The group includes four congressional legislators, four senior federal agency leaders and six nationally recognized experts from outside of government.
WATCH: Adm. Michael Rogers speaks on wide-ranging cyber threats

Former Adm. Michael Rogers visited Auburn University on Friday, Nov. 1, and spoke on a wide range of cybersecurity threats and response measures. A 37-year veteran of the Navy, Rogers culminated his career with a four-year tenure as commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency.

Adm. Michael Rogers returns to Auburn as part of Leaders on the Plains series

Retired Adm. Michael Rogers will speak at Auburn University on Friday, Nov. 1, as part of the Leaders on the Plains series, hosted by the McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security. The event will take place from 2-3 p.m. in the Brown-Kopel Engineering Student Achievement Center Grand Hall, located at 152 Wilmore Drive.
Panelists: Democracies must band together to secure free and fair elections

Former Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff spoke at an Auburn University forum on the challenges of securing elections and lessons learned from previous cyberattacks.

Auburn University hosting global forum on securing elections

Auburn University’s Center for Cyber and Homeland Security (CCHS) will host a forum Thursday, Sept. 26, in Washington, D.C., in partnership with the Center for Internet Security and the Embassy of Estonia, on securing elections around the globe.
Federal security official warns of ‘converged, hybrid threat landscape’ in cyber era

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Assistant Director Brian Harrell outlined unique cyber threats facing the national infrastructure and pledged his agency’s assistance in addressing them head-on Friday.

Federal cybersecurity chief lays out strategic plan for agency in talk at Auburn University

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs described the agency as the nation’s risk advisor in critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity and physical security.
Auburn University hosting Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director, Assistant Director during two-day event Aug. 22-23

As a leader on the forefront of cybersecurity research and professional preparedness in the industry, Auburn University and the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering will host the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) director and assistant director during a two-day event Aug. 22-23.
Former commander of US Cyber Command, Defense Intelligence Agency director to lead McCrary Institute Advisory Board

The McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University today announced members of its advisory board, including former commander of the U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency Adm. Michael S. Rogers and former director of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess Jr.
Auburn’s Center for Cyber and Homeland Security to host DHS Secretary

Auburn University’s Center for Cyber and Homeland Security (CCHS) will host Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen M. Nielsen on March 18 as she delivers her 2019 State of Homeland Security Address.
Auburn Cyber Research Center taps Jason Cuneo as chief technologist

As chief technologist, Jason Cuneo will provide subject matter expertise while also helping the Auburn Cyber Research Center work with industry to develop cyber-focused internship and job opportunities for current and graduating students.