Navy Adm. Mike Rogers addressing ‘Privacy vs. Security’ during SEC Academic Conference at Auburn University

Navy Adm. Mike Rogers, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency, will discuss the national quandary of "Privacy vs. Security" during the 2018 SEC Academic Conference hosted by Auburn University.

"We live in a cyber age in which the core value of personal privacy is weighed heavily versus the need for national security," Auburn University President Steven Leath said. "The nation is facing more and more cyber threats and data breaches that affect all facets of daily life."

The conference, titled "Cyber Security: A Shared Responsibility," is set for April 8-10 and will bring together top military and industry leaders along with representatives from the 14 SEC universities, each of whom works to protect our nation's cyber infrastructure.

"Strategic partnerships among universities and industry are vital in developing the technology and policies to protect private information," Leath said.

Rogers, a 1981 Auburn graduate, will join a renowned list of cyber experts speaking at the conference, including Glenn Gaffney, executive vice president of In-Q-Tel Inc.; Ray Rothrock, CEO and chairman of RedSeal Inc.; Andrew Case, director of research at Volexity; and Bill Newhouse, deputy director of National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The speakers will address computer and communication technology; the economic and physical systems that are controlled by technology; and the policies and laws that govern and protect information stored, transmitted and processed with technology.

"This year's SEC Academic Conference is a great opportunity for us to help enrich collaboration among SEC students, faculty and administrators in a critical area of national importance," said Greg Sankey, SEC commissioner. "Auburn leaders have worked tirelessly to develop a program that will challenge and encourage those in this field, and I commend them for their efforts."

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Ronald L. Burgess Jr., Auburn's senior counsel for national security programs, cyber programs and military affairs, is leading the local organizing committee.

"The schools that make up the SEC are home to a tremendous array of talent in the cyber arena," Burgess said. "The 2018 SEC Academic Conference will showcase some of the best and brightest minds in the country. It's a great opportunity for faculty and students from around the conference to connect and collaborate, and for government and industry to get a sense of the resources available to them in the SEC."

The conference will start with the SEC Cyber Challenge where student teams from each SEC university will compete in a problem-solving activity. Other undergraduate and graduate students will also have the opportunity to showcase their research during a poster exhibition.

The SEC Academic Conference is one of several programs designed to showcase the academic achievements and accomplishments of SEC administrators, faculty and students.

More information on the 2018 event is available online at http://ocm.auburn.edu/sec/.