Catawba Valley Community College - Cyber Crime Technology

828.327.7000

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CyberCrime Faculty

Thomas Foss, MPA, ISAM, ACE

Instructor, CyberCrime & Information Assurance

Director, Center for Information Assurance

Tom Foss leads Catawba Valley Community College's efforts in the area of CyberCrime and Information Assurance. His teaching, research and consulting efforts focus on developing both proactive and reactive responses to the challenges of providing services to customers and citizens with a firm belief that it's better to prevent a data breach or crime rather than to figure out why and how it happened. Tom's practice areas include the study of cybercrime trends and the governance of information technology security, with an emphasis on the mitigation of cyberterrorism and hacking through active defense, planning, and education. Tom actively represents CVCC on the CyberWatch consortium, a National Science Foundation-funded project designed to enhance the capacity of two and four year colleges to prepare professionals for Information Assurance career paths.

Formerly a partner and principal with Tatum, LLC's Technology Leadership Practice, Foss has more than 30 years of professional experience in the planning and governance of the technology function with an emphasis on integrating business continuity and IT security into the process. He has received certification by the National Security Agency in the use of their Information Security Assessment and Information Security Evaluation Methodologies (IAM, IEM), as well as obtaining certification in the Information Security Assessment Methodology (ISAM). Tom also is an AccessData Certified Examiner.

From 2001 to 2005, he was the technical assistance manager for the UNC Institute of Government's Center for Public Technology where he led the center's efforts to provide training and consulting services to support North Carolina's cities and counties in their development and implementation of information technology.

From 1999 to 2001, he was an e-government evangelist with Cisco System's Internet Business Solutions Group, aiding government customers' efforts in the Internet economy. In that role, he worked with elected and appointed officials to assess organizational readiness and develop strategies for implementing network-enabled efforts in the areas of workforce optimization, customer care, supply chain management and e-learning.

Previously, Foss was chief information officer and director of information services for the City of Hickory, NC, where he had responsibility for all computer technology, telecommunications, radio systems, cellular/PCS tower locations and oversight of the city's cable TV franchise. He was the architect of Hickory's efforts to become a 'Connected Community', working with the private sector, educational institutions, and other governmental organizations to define the products and services to be delivered to citizens using information technology.

Foss has been active in efforts to promote the effective use of technology in government. In November 1998, he was part of a delegation from the State of North Carolina that made presentations on that State's experience in electronic governance to the Digital Communities Conference in Tokyo, Japan. He has also made presentations to the eGov Conference in Washington, DC, and spoken at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.

Foss serves as Vice President of the Charlotte chapter of Infragard, an FBI-sponsored infrastructure protection organization.

Foss earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Maryland, a master of public administration degree from The American University in Washington, DC, and completed additional coursework in public administration at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In his spare time, he's completing a second Master's degree in Information Assurance through the University of Maryland University College.

From 1979 to 1989, he was at Florida State University, where he directed a group that provided training and consulting to public sector clients in the area of strategic technology planning. Tom has also taught in the graduate and undergraduate public administration programs at FSU, Syracuse University and Utica College.

Contact Tom Foss at tfoss@cvcc.edu, or call 828-327-7000 x4794.

Karen Cavanaugh

Karen has worked for over 30 years in Customer Service, IT, First Level Support. She is currently pursuing Graduate Certificate in Sociology at Appalachian State University.

Karen has a Master of Applied Arts and Science Degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology from Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, from Lees-McRae College, Banner Elk, NC, where she is a Member of Alpha Chi Honor Society, and an Associate of Science Degree in Cyber Crime Technology, Catawba Valley Community College, Hickory, NC, where she is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Captain Eric Loftin

Eric Loftin started his career in law enforcement in 1991 with the Conover Police Department and currently holds the rank of Captain with that department.. He has served that agency in many capacities including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Accreditation, and currently as Captain in the Administration Division. In addition to those duties, he also serves the department as a law enforcement trainer. He attended Catawba Valley Community College and earned an AAS in Criminal Justice. He earned his Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice from Lees-McRae College and in 2011 he graduated from Appalachian State University with a Master Degree in Public Administration. Eric has been a Continuing Education instructor for Catawba Valley Community College since 2001 and a curriculum instructor for Catawba Valley Community College since 2007.

2550 US HIGHWAY 70 SE • HICKORY, NC • 28602-8302 • 828.327.7000

828.327.7000

Updated 11.08.2012: School of Public Safety