Rob Olson Headshot

Rob Olson

Senior Lecturer

Department of Cybersecurity
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Office Mailing Address
152 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623

Rob Olson

Senior Lecturer

Department of Cybersecurity
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Education

BS, MS, State University College at Fredonia; MS, Nova Southeastern University

Bio

Rob Olson is a lecturer and the Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Computing Security. Prior to being hired at R.I.T., he taught in the Department of Computer & Information Sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia where he taught an extensive range of courses in programming, security, and artificial intelligence. He holds a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Cognitive Science from S.U.N.Y. Fredonia and a Masters of Management Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, he is also a Certified Ethical Hacker, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and an Offensive Security Certified Professional. His interests are in penetration testing, web and mobile application security, and privacy.


Areas of Expertise

Currently Teaching

CSEC-201
3 Credits
This course builds upon basic programming skills to give students the programming knowledge necessary to study computing security. Students will be introduced to network programming, memory management, and operating system calls along with associated security concepts. Specific focus will placed on understanding the compilation process and on the relation between high-level programming concepts and low-level programming concepts, culminating in identifying and exploiting memory corruption vulnerabilities.
CSEC-380
3 Credits
This course is designed to give students a foundation in the theories and practice relating to web application security. The course will introduce students to the concepts associated with deploying and securing a typical HTTP environment as well as defensive techniques they may employ.
CSEC-498
0 Credits
Students will gain experience and a better understanding of the field of cybersecurity by gaining practical experience in an area to which cybersecurity is commonly applied, such as software development, networking, or system administration. The goal of this co-op will be to gain a better understanding of the fundamental technologies used in the cybersecurity industry and experience in how professional teams in cybersecurity-adjacent fields operate. Students will be evaluated by their employer. If a transfer student, one term in residence must be completed at RIT carrying a full academic load. (Permission of the Department)
CSEC-499
0 Credits
Students will gain experience and a better understanding of the application of technologies discussed in classes by working in the field of computing security. Students will be evaluated by their employer. If a transfer student, they must have completed one term in residence at RIT and be carrying a full academic load.
CSEC-599
1 - 6 Credits
Students will work with a supervising faculty member on a project of mutual interest. Project design and evaluation will be determined through discussion with the supervising faculty member and documented through completion of an independent study form to be filed with the department of computing security.
CSEC-731
3 Credits
This course discusses the processes and procedures to perform a technical security audit of web servers and web based applications. Students will not only explore Web Servers and Applications/Services threats, but also apply the latest auditing techniques to identify vulnerabilities existing in or stemming from web servers and applications. Students will write and present their findings and recommendations in audit reports on web servers and application vulnerabilities. To be successful in this course students should be knowledgeable in a scripting language and comfortable with the administration of both Linux and Windows platforms.

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