Deborah Frincke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deborah Frincke
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| Education | University of California, Davis (BS, MS, PhD) |
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Deborah A. Frincke is an American computer scientist who works to keep computer systems safe. She is currently a leader in national security programs at Sandia National Laboratories. This is a special place where scientists work on important projects for the United States.
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Her Journey in Education
Deborah Frincke studied at the University of California, Davis. She earned three different degrees there. In 1985, she received her first degree, a Bachelor of Science, in computer science and mathematics. This means she learned a lot about how computers work and how to solve problems using numbers.
Later, she earned a Master of Science degree in computer science in 1989. This degree shows even more advanced knowledge in the field. Finally, in 1992, she completed her highest degree, a PhD in computer science. A PhD means she became an expert in her field and did original research.
Her Career in Computer Science
After finishing her studies, Deborah Frincke started her career as a professor. She taught computer science at the University of Idaho. A professor teaches students at a university.
Working in Cybersecurity
Later, she became the chief scientist for cybersecurity at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Cybersecurity is all about protecting computer systems and information from being stolen or damaged. This laboratory is one of many important places where the United States Department of Energy does scientific research.
From 2014 to 2020, Dr. Frincke was the director of research for the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA is a government agency that works to protect the country's information and computer networks. In this role, she led many important research projects.
Leading Education and Innovation
As the Research Director, Dr. Frincke also helped guide the NSA's science and new ideas. Before this, she was in charge of education and training for the entire agency. She was also the leader of the National Cryptologic School. There, she helped create the first NSA Cyber College. She also launched the GenCyber Program, which helps teach young people about cybersecurity.
In these roles, she managed training for many military and civilian staff around the world. She also helped guide other schools and training centers. Dr. Frincke is also a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This is a group for engineers and scientists who work with electronics and computers.
Breaking New Ground
Deborah Frincke was the first woman to lead the research part of the NSA. She has often talked about how important it is to have many different kinds of people working in computer security. She believes that different ideas help solve problems better.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Frincke has received several awards for her important work.
Key Awards and Honors
- In 2017, she won the Founders Award from a group called the Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education. This award recognized her contributions to teaching about computer security.
- In 2019, she was chosen as an ACM Fellow. This is a special honor given to people who have made big contributions to computer science. She was recognized for her work in education, research, and leading cybersecurity efforts.
- Also in 2019, her old university, the UC Davis College of Engineering, named her a distinguished alumna. This means they recognized her as a very successful former student.
See also
In Spanish: Deborah Frincke para niños
