MC2 Victoria Ochoa

NPS Distinguished Professor of Computer Science Cynthia Irvine is pictured in her office with the National Science Foundation's Women in Cyber Security 2016 Award of Excellence that she was honored with, April 1. Irvine was recognized for her research, innovation and contributions to cyber security.

"I'm very happy to receive this award," said Irvine. "The cyber security field has radically transformed since its early stages. It's necessary to find and educate people to protect to our country and our expanding technology."

Cyber security has taken on greater import as multitudes of new devices are connected to networks each year. Failure to use appropriate security measures on these devices opens up networks to adversary attacks.

"Technology is advancing so rapidly that by 2020 every man, woman and child will have at least three devices on [a network] at one time," said Irvine. "All this technology is improving life, but we have to build it and monitor it so it doesn't become corrupted."

Irvine has been an instrumental part of the NPS cyber security team since 1994 and has been a pioneer in the field since its early stages.