Bio

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(50 word bio)

Dr. Simson Garfinkel researches and writes at the intersection of AI, privacy, and digital forensics. He is a fellow of the AAAS, the ACM and the IEEE. He earned his PhD in Computer Science at MIT and a Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia University.

Please use this for a "short" biosketch (150 words)

Simson Garfinkel is the Chief Scientist of BasisTech, LLC., a technology accelerator in Somerville Massachusetts, and a Lecturer at Harvard University, where he co-teaches "Defense Against the Dark Arts (Cybersecurity Edition)" a first year seminar, and "AC221: Critical Thinking in Data Science," an advanced course about data science ethics.

Simson Garfinkel holds seven US patents and has published more than 70 research articles in computer security and digital forensics. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and a member of the National Association of Science Writers.

Garfinkel is the co-author of Law and Policy for the Quantum Age, which explores the technology, history, policy, and business implications of quantum information science. As a journalist, he has written about science, technology, and technology policy in the popular press since 1983, and has won several national journalism awards.

Garfinkel received three Bachelor of Science degrees from MIT in 1987, a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University in 1988, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT in 2005.

Please use this bio for print publications

Simson Garfinkel is the Chief Scientist of BasisTech, a technology accelerator in Somerville, MA. He is currently working on projects at the intersection of AI, privacy, data management and digital forensics. He holds seven US patents and has published dozens of research articles in computer security and digital forensics. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE),

Garfinkel is the author or co-author of seventeen books on computing. His most recent book is Law and Privacy for the Quantum Age, which discusses quantum computing, quantum cryptography and quantum sensing. He is also known for his Database Nation, which explored privacy issues, and Practical UNIX and Internet Security, which sold more than 250,000 copies. He is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and has won national the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award for his commentary on computer security.

As an entrepreneur, Garfinkel founded five companies between 1989 and 2000, including Vineyard.NET, which provided Internet service on Martha's Vineyard to more than a thousand customers from 1995 through 2005, and Sandstorm Enterprises, an early developer of computer forensic tools.

Garfinkel received three Bachelor of Science degrees from MIT in 1987, a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University in 1988, and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from MIT in 2005.

Please use this bio when I am representing BasisTech

Dr. Simson Garfinkel is the Chief Scientist for BasisTech. An internationally recognized expert in the area of digital forensics, Garfinkel’s research publications include computer security, privacy, and policy issues pertaining to quantum information science. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery, and the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Garfinkel has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed academic articles. Previously a tenured associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, Garfinkel has also held technical leadership positions at the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Homeland Security.

In addition to his work as a scientist, Garfinkel writes for popular technology and business publications about topics at the intersection of science, technology and society. His most recent book, Law and Policy for the Quantum Age, explores the defense, intelligence, and commercial impact of quantum information science, including quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum cryptography.

Please use this bio for short written or oral introductions when I am NOT representing my employer

Simson L. Garfinkel has published articles in both the academic and popular press for many years in the areas of computer security, digital forensics and privacy. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT. He was previously an Associate Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School and spent 15 years as a computer scientist within the US Department of Defense, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the US Census Bureau, and the US Department of Homeland Security.

Here is an extended academic bio for academic publications

Dr. Simson Garfinkel is the Chief Scientist for BasisTech. Simson Garfinkel received undergraduate degrees in Chemistry, Political Science, and the Science, Technology and Society program from the MIT, a MS in Journalism from Columbia University, and a PhD in Computer Science from MIT in 2005. His research interests include digital forensics, usable security, and technology transfer. He has worked at four federal agencies, including the US Department of Homeland Security, where he was the Department’s Senior Data Scientist, and the US Census Bureau, where he was the Senior Computer Scientist for Confidentiality and Data Access. He is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Garfinkel shared the 2017 NIST Information Technology Laboratory Outstanding Standards Document Award for NIST SP 800-188, Trustworthy Email, and the 2011 Department of Defense Value Engineering Achievement Award for his leadership of the Bulk Extractor Program. He has received three Best Paper awards at the DFRWS digital forensics research symposium, as well as multiple national awards for his work in technology journalism. Garfinkel is the author or co-author of seventeen books on computing. His most recent book is Law and Policy for the Quantum Age, which discusses the technology and policy implications of quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensing.

Bio for Journalism

Simson Garfinkel writes about the intersection of security, privacy, society and ethics for popular and academic audiences. His most recent book, Law and Policy for the Quantum Age (co-authored with Chris Hoofnagle) explores for a non-technical audience the defense, intelligence and commercial impact of quantum information science, including quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum cryptography. His previous book, THE COMPUTER BOOK (co-authored with Rachel Grunspan), presents an illustrated timeline of 250 milestones in the history of computing.

In addition to being a journalist, Garfinkel is a noted computer scientist. A fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Association for Computing Machinery, and the Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Garfinkel has authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed academic articles. Previously a tenured associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, Garfinkel has also held technical leadership positions at the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Homeland Security.