Unclassified Challenges Facing Cybersecurity

Dr. Robert J. Runser, Technical Director, NSA/CSS Research Directorate

Dr. Runser is currently the Technical Director of the National Security Agency’s Research Directorate where he oversees the directorate’s technical strategy, outreach activities, and research collaborations with external organizations such the National Laboratories.  He has conducted research in a variety of technical disciplines including fiber-optic networking, computer network operations, and quantum communications technologies to support NSA’s signals intelligence and cybersecurity missions.  Prior to joining NSA’s Research Directorate, Dr. Runser was the Technical Director of NSA’s Cryptologic Center in Hawaii where he developed innovation processes to modernize and rapidly transition new technologies to operational platforms in support of the Department of Defense’s INDOPACOM mission.  

Dr. Runser received his B.S. in Computer Engineering with Distinction from the University of Kansas and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering with specialization in optics and optoelectronics from Princeton University.  He has published over 70 journal and conference papers, one book chapter, and is a co-inventor on two U.S. patents.  His collaborative research work in quantum communications has been cited numerous times and his patent in quantum repeater technology was awarded the Thomas A. Edison Patent Award in Emerging Technology by the R&D Council of New Jersey. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and recipient of the Distinguished Presidential Rank Award.