More than a third of local government agencies across the country were hit by ransomware last year — and cybersecurity leaders say many small towns are especially vulnerable. Nick Sellers with Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security says the rise of…
Read moreThe average cost of a data breach in 2025 for U.S. organizations was $10.22 million, according to IBM. Even more, 34 percent of local agencies — city halls, fire stations, hospitals, schools — were compromised by ransomware. To combat this threat, the average information technology…
Read moreThe McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University is dedicated to defending the systems that power our national and economic security, our communities and our way of life.
Founded in 2015, the Institute fuses theory with practice and policy with technology to protect and advance U.S. interests in the areas of cyber and critical infrastructure security.
Applied Research & Services
Working to safeguard America as an applied research and services partner supporting government, military, national labs and industry clients.
Former Acting Commander of U.S. Cyber Command and Acting Director of the National Security Agency
MeetSenior Vice President, Ransomware Research Center, Halcyon; Former Deputy Assistant Director, Cyber Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation
MeetMore than a third of local government agencies across the country were hit by ransomware last year — and cybersecurity leaders say many small towns are especially vulnerable. Nick Sellers with Auburn University’s McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security says the rise of…
Read moreThe average cost of a data breach in 2025 for U.S. organizations was $10.22 million, according to IBM. Even more, 34 percent of local agencies — city halls, fire stations, hospitals, schools — were compromised by ransomware. To combat this threat, the average information technology…
Read moreImagine losing power for days, or weeks. What about running water and telecommunications? Mass transportation grinds to a halt, healthcare facilities scramble and financial systems unravel. “You’re talking about America’s lifelines. When they go down for more than a moment, it’s a bad day,” said…
Read moreA key law that helps the federal government guard against cyber threats to U.S. critical systems expired as the government shut down Wednesday, partially blinding Washington to attacks from adversaries that are only growing more sophisticated and persistent. The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act has been…
Read moreDark Reading Confidential Episode 10: It’s past time for a comprehensive plan to protect vital US systems from nation-state cyberattacks, and increasingly, that responsibility is falling to asset owners across a vast swath of organizations, who likely never bargained for an international cyber conflict playing out…
Read more
