When not teaching, Randall K. Nichols is Chief Operating Officer of INFOSEC Technologies, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in Counter-Terrorism, Counter-Espionage and information security countermeasures to support its 1700 commercial, educational and U.S. government clients.
Previously, Nichols served as CEO of COMSEC Solutions, a cryptographic / anti-virus / biometrics countermeasures company which was acquired by a public company in 2000. As part of the acquisition agreement, he served as Vice President of Cryptography and Director of Research. Nichols (a.k.a. LANAKI) served as Technology Director of Cryptography and Biometrics for the International Computer Security Association (ICSA) and President and Vice President of the American Cryptogram Association (ACA). Nichols is internationally respected, with 40 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in cryptography, counter-intelligence, INFOSEC and sensitive computer applications in the engineering, consulting, construction, and chemicals industries. He is a previous Director of Invisimail, Ltd.
Nichols is certified by the Virginia District US Court of Appeals as a Federal Expert Witness (Defense) in both Cryptography and Computer Forensics for Espionage, Terrorism and Federal criminal cases. He is considered an expert on Counter-Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism methodologies as applied to INFOWAR.
Professor Nichols is currently writing his sixth title on information security: Counter-Terrorism in Practice: Targets of Opportunity. His previous books (with co-author Panos Lekkas) include: Wireless Security: Models, Threats and Solutions, McGraw Hill, 2002, a definitive textbook on the security of wireless systems and Defending Your Digital Assets: Against Hackers, Crackers, Spies and Thieves, (with co-authors Dan and Julie Ryan) McGraw Hill, 2000, a best-selling title on the subjects of cryptography and information security (INFOSEC) countermeasures. Defending is used as the graduate INFOSEC textbook at the George Washington University, James Madison University, University of Maryland, Rowan College of New Jersey, Iowa State University, Eastern Michigan State University, and Yonsei University, Korea. Nichols' previous books, The ICSA Guide to Cryptography McGraw Hill, 1998, and Classical Cryptography Course, Volumes I & II, Aegean Park Press, 1995, and 1996, have gained recognition and industry respect for Nichols.
