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 computers and information safe. She is a leader in cybersecurity, which is all about protecting computer systems from harm. Currently, she helps manage national security programs at Sandia National Laboratories.
Contents
Her School Days
Deborah Frincke went to the University of California, Davis. She studied computer science and mathematics there. She earned three degrees:
- A Bachelor of Science degree in 1985.
- A Master of Science degree in 1989.
- A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degree in 1992.
What She Does
Deborah Frincke started her career as a professor. She taught computer science at the University of Idaho. Later, she became a top scientist for cybersecurity at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This lab is part of the United States Department of Energy.
From 2014 to 2020, she was the director of research for the National Security Agency (NSA). The NSA is a U.S. government agency that works to protect national security information.
Leading at the NSA
As Research Director, Deborah Frincke was also the NSA's Science Advisor. She helped guide new ideas and discoveries. Before this, she led education and training for the NSA. She was the Associate Director for Education and Training (ADET).
While serving as ADET, she also led the National Cryptologic School. Here, she started the first NSA Cyber College. She also launched the GenCyber Program. This program helps young people learn about cybersecurity. In these roles, she managed learning programs for many military and civilian staff around the world. She also helped guide 20 training locations globally.
She is also a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This is a large group for engineers and scientists.
Breaking New Ground
Deborah Frincke was the first woman to lead the research part of the NSA. She believes it is very important to have many different ideas and people working in computer security.
Awards and Honors
Deborah Frincke has received several important awards for her work:
- In 2017, she won the Founders Award. This award is from a group that teaches about information systems security.
- In 2019, she was chosen as an ACM Fellow. This is a special honor for people who have made big contributions to computing. She was recognized for her work in education, research, and leading cybersecurity efforts.
- Also in 2019, her old school, the UC Davis College of Engineering, named her a distinguished alumna. This means she is a very successful former student.
See also
In Spanish: Deborah Frincke para niños
