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Mind the Gap: Security Rhetorics in an InfoTech Insecure World

Dr. Stewart Kowalski

Dr. Stewart Kowalski

University of Winnipeg alumni Dr. Stewart Kowalksi has been ranked in the top 10 of Sweden’s best IT security experts by Computer Sweden. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Stewart Kowalski, who will be presenting a lecture on information technology. He rejoins the University of Winnipeg from Norway. His lecture entitled Mind the Gap: Security Rhetorics in an Information Technology Insecure World.

Monday, Nov 24, at 12:30–1:20 pm, Room 2M70

coffee and snacks provided

Abstract:
Bits and bytes… in many situations, the words and images they represent can be become weapons of mass destruction if used in an inappropriate manner.  The information technology revolutions that have occurred over the last 10 years, with super computers, smart phones, and ubiquitous mobile connectivity, have  transformed the quantity of data, words and images in our day to day lives.  This change in quantity has brought about a change in kind as well. It has created a gap between our ability to formulate our intentions as individuals, communities, and nations, and our ability to communicate our intentions to our friends and foes.

Professor Kowalski will outline the need for new types of rhetorical skills and knowledge sets needed by university students in general — and students of information security management in particular — to fill this gap.  He will present some of his ongoing research and practice of teaching Information Security Rhetoric at the graduate level at the newly formed Center for Cyber and Information Security in Gjøvik, Norway.

BIO
Stewart Kowalski is a Professor and Dean of Education at the Norwegian Information Security Lab, University College Gjøvik, Norway. He has over 30 years of industry and academic experience in information security and technology and has worked for a number of large international companies including Ericsson Telia Research, Huawei, Digital and HP. He has taught and researched information security at a number of universities, including the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), Stockholm School of Economics, and Stockholm University. After he graduated in 1979 from the University of Winnipeg with a degree in Justice and Law Enforcement, he worked 5 years as criminal investigator with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before moving to Scandinavia.