Randy Marchany
About Randy Marchany
Randy Marchany serves as a SANS Senior Instructor and Chief Information Security Officer at Virginia Tech, with extensive experience in cybersecurity spanning over three decades. He has contributed significantly to the field through his involvement in various organizations, curriculum design, and numerous publications.
Work at SANS Institute
Randy Marchany has been associated with the SANS Institute since 1992. He currently holds the position of SANS Senior Instructor, a role he has maintained for over 32 years. During his tenure, he has contributed significantly to the development of cybersecurity education and training. He previously served as an Old Dude Instructor at SANS Institute from 1992 to 2010, accumulating 18 years of experience in this capacity.
Current Role at Virginia Tech
Since 2010, Randy Marchany has served as the Chief Information Security Officer at Virginia Tech. In this role, he oversees the institution's information security strategies and initiatives. His work focuses on safeguarding the university's digital assets and ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards.
Education and Expertise
Randy Marchany studied at Virginia Tech, where he earned degrees in computer security, specifically a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. He also attended O'Connell High School and St. James School. His educational background supports his extensive expertise in cybersecurity, which includes co-authoring significant publications and developing security benchmarks.
Contributions to Cybersecurity
Randy Marchany has made notable contributions to the field of cybersecurity. He co-authored the original SANS Top 10 Internet Threats and the SANS Consensus Roadmap for Defeating DDoS Attacks. He also contributed to the writing of version 8 of the CIS Security Controls and has authored or co-authored over 45 papers on cybersecurity. Additionally, he is a co-holder of four cybersecurity patents.
Awards and Recognition
Randy Marchany has received several awards for his contributions to cybersecurity. He was awarded the Shirley C. Payne IT Security Advancement Award in 2016 and the SANS Difference Maker Award in 2021. His work has been recognized for its impact on the cybersecurity community, particularly in education and practical application.