Rob Olson Headshot

Rob Olson

Senior Lecturer

Department of Cybersecurity
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
rboics@rit.edu
585-475-2735
Office Mailing Address
152 Lomb Memorial Drive Rochester, NY 14623

Rob Olson

Senior Lecturer

Department of Cybersecurity
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Education

BS, MS, State University College at Fredonia; MS, Nova Southeastern University

Bio

Rob Olson is a lecturer and the Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Cybersecurity. Prior to being hired at R.I.T., he taught in the Department of Computer & Information Sciences at the State University of New York at Fredonia where he taught an extensive range of courses in programming, security, and artificial intelligence. He holds a M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies focusing on Cognitive Science from S.U.N.Y. Fredonia and a Masters of Management Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University. Additionally, he is also a Certified Ethical Hacker, a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and an Offensive Security Certified Professional. His interests are in penetration testing, web and mobile application security, and privacy.

rboics@rit.edu
585-475-2735
Areas of Expertise
Application Security
Mobile Security
Web Security
Software Exploitation, Malware

Currently Teaching

CSEC-201
Programming for Information Security
3 Credits
This course builds upon basic programming skills to give students the programming knowledge necessary to study computing security. Students will be introduced to network programming, memory management, and operating system calls along with associated security concepts. Specific focus will placed on understanding the compilation process and on the relation between high-level programming concepts and low-level programming concepts, culminating in identifying and exploiting memory corruption vulnerabilities.
CSEC-202
Reverse Engineering Fundamentals
3 Credits
This course will teach students the core concepts needed to analyze unknown source code. Students will study a variety of low-level programming languages and how high-level programming language structures relate to low-level programming languages. Students will learn study tools and techniques used for both static and dynamic analysis of unknown binaries, providing the foundation for further study in malware analysis.
CSEC-380
Principles of Web Application Security
3 Credits
This course is designed to give students a foundation in the theories and practice relating to web application security. The course will introduce students to the concepts associated with deploying and securing a typical HTTP environment as well as defensive techniques they may employ.
CSEC-467
Mobile Device Security and Forensics
3 Credits
This course will be an in-depth study of security, incident response, and forensics as applied to the hardening and protection of mobile devices. Students will learn issues specific to the security of and vulnerabilities of mobile devices as well as forensics tools and incident response techniques used to reveal activities and information related to mobile devices.
CSEC-498
Cooperative Education in Security Fundamentals
0 Credits
Students will gain experience and a better understanding of the field of cybersecurity by gaining practical experience in an area to which cybersecurity is commonly applied, such as software development, networking, or system administration. The goal of this co-op will be to gain a better understanding of the fundamental technologies used in the cybersecurity industry and experience in how professional teams in cybersecurity-adjacent fields operate. Students will be evaluated by their employer. If a transfer student, one term in residence must be completed at RIT carrying a full academic load. (Permission of the Department)
CSEC-499
Cooperative Education in CSEC
0 Credits
Students will gain experience and a better understanding of the application of technologies discussed in classes by working in the field of computing security. Students will be evaluated by their employer. If a transfer student, they must have completed one term in residence at RIT and be carrying a full academic load.
CSEC-599
Independent Study in CSEC
1 - 6 Credits
Students will work with a supervising faculty member on a project of mutual interest. Project design and evaluation will be determined through discussion with the supervising faculty member and documented through completion of an independent study form to be filed with the department of computing security.

In the News

  • November 16, 2022

    person using the messaging app Telegram.

    ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute pentesters assess messaging app for activists

    RIT cybersecurity experts are helping make instant messaging safer for activists in countries controlled by restrictive regimes. Pentesters from RIT’s ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute performed a security assessment of Partisan Telegram, a customized version of the Telegram messaging app. RIT was selected to conduct the assessment by a nonprofit organization that supports global internet freedom.

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