Dr. Ron Ross
Senior Computer Scientist and Information Security Researcher
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Dr. Ron Ross is a senior computer scientist and information security researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). His current areas of specialization include security testing and evaluation, security requirements definition, and information assurance. For the past five years, Dr. Ross served as the Director of the National Information Assurance Partnership, a joint activity of NIST and the National Security Agency. Prior to joining NIST, Dr. Ross was the principal investigator on several large information security-related projects to include development of security requirements and specifications for computer systems and networks, security capability assessments of commercial operating systems, and the development of a computer security research and education program.

A 1973 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Dr. Ross served in a variety of leadership and technical positions during his twenty-year career in the United States Army before retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. While assigned to the National Security Agency, Dr. Ross received the Scientific Achievement Award for his work in a national information system security project and was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal upon his departure from the Agency. During his military career, Dr. Ross served as a White House aide and as a senior technical advisor to the Army staff. Dr. Ross is a graduate of the Program Management School at the Defense Systems Management College and holds both Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from the United States Naval Postgraduate School.