Research and education ISAC names new executive director

The Research and Education Networks Information Sharing and Analysis Center based at Indiana University has a new executive director.

REN-ISAC appointed Anthony Newman, who has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, government and consulting, earlier this month. He most recently worked at Purdue University as its chief information security officer. 

“I feel incredibly honored to step into the role of executive director of REN-ISAC,” Newman said in a press release from Indiana University. “Together we will work diligently to strengthen cybersecurity within the research and education community creating a resilient environment.” 

Newman is replacing the center’s previous executive director Kim Milford, who is currently serving as Chief Information Security OFficer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

REN-ISAC is part of a group of national ISACs that serve critical infrastructure owners and operators to protect their facilities, data, staff and communities against cyber and physical security threats. The center at Indiana University serves more than 740 international member institutions in higher education and research communities throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand by promoting cybersecurity operational protections and response. 

John Virden, chief information security officer at Miami University and a member of the REN-ISAC steering committee, said the center plays a critical role in securing the cybersecurity infrastructure of education and research institutions.

“The coordination REN-ISAC provides ensures not only that the higher education and research communities receive the best cybersecurity information possible, but sharing the information among a trusted community is a cost-effective way to continuously improve those protections,” Virden said.

According to the release, Newman helped drive cybersecurity initiatives, lead teams and manage risks at other organizations, preparing him to lead REN-ISAC.

“As we continue to prioritize cybersecurity and innovation, Anthony’s extensive expertise in strategic planning and organizational leadership makes us confident that he will successfully continue advancing the REN-ISAC, and IU’s leadership in cybersecurity more broadly,” Rob Lowden, vice president for IT and chief information officer at Indiana University, said in the release.