About Us

We are a Cybersecurity Association group from UMBC Cybersecurity Graduate Program @ USG

 

Dr. Behnam Shariati [Academy Advisor]

 

Lecturer, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Ben Shariati is the Assistant Director of the UMBC Graduate Cybersecurity Program, overseeing the program’s expansion to (and operations at) the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD. Additionally, he teaches or has taught CYBR 658, 624, and 691.

He is a technology and business executive with over 20 years of experience specializing in strategic and operational cybersecurity program activities and development for international organizations. His research and professional interests include mobile device security, emerging technology evaluation, risk analysis, audit, and compliance.

Ben received a Ph.D. in Information Assurance in 2016 from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and is NSA/NSTISSI 4011 INFOSEC certified.

Contact

Office: Building III-4153 (Universities at Shady Grove)
Phone: (301) 738-6019
E-mail: shariati@umbc.edu

 

Hajar Nourozi [President]

A few years after working as a software/Mobile engineer, I felt the need to shift gears to more satisfying, challenging and stimulating subject. Last spring, my substantial research among many available Cybersecurity programs led me to enroll in the best of all. I will be graduating in fall 2019.However, I consider my MPS degree as a starting point in my educational journey.

Contact

E-mail: hnouroz1@umbc.edu

 

Da Zhao [Vice President]

After working in the IT healthcare field for over a decade, I sensed an urgency to secure patient information. For that purpose I joined UMBC’s Cybersecurity Graduate program to learn ways to ensure the safety of all patients’ records in this exciting field. It is also great to be part of this Cybersecurity Association here at USG, where our team can make a difference and raise awareness on this campus and in our community.

Contact

Email: dzhao2@umbc.edu

 

Joseph Terman [Industry Outreach]

After graduating from UMD with a bachelors degree in Communications, I joined the Cybersecurity program in the Fall of 2017. Initially, I planned on focusing exclusively on policy because of my communications background, but quickly fell in love with the technical side of cybersecurity. Upon my graduation in Spring of 2019, I plan to start my career in the cyber industry and hope to one day return to this campus to teach.

Contact

E-mail: jterman1@umbc.edu