TJ O’Connor is a Department of Defense expert on information security and a US Army paratrooper. While assigned as an assistant professor at the US Military Academy, TJ taught undergraduate courses on forensics, exploitation and information assurance. He twice co-coached the winning team at the National Security Agency’s annual Cyber Defense Exercise and won the National Defense University’s first annual Cyber Challenge. He has served on multiple red teams, including twice on the Northeast Regional Team for the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.
TJ holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from North Carolina State, a Master of Science degree in Information Security Engineering from the SANS Technical Institute, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the US Military Academy. He has published technical research at USENIX workshops, ACM conferences, security conferences, the SANS Reading Room, the Internet Storm Center, the Army Magazine, and the Armed Forces Journal. He holds expert cyber security credentials, including the prestigious GIAC Security Expert (GSE) and Offensive Security Certified Expert (OSCE). TJ is a member of the elite SANS Red and Blue Team Cyber Guardians.