Cybersecurity leader Debora Plunkett '81 named to TU Board of Visitors
Plunkett retired from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2016
By Megan Bradshaw on May 4, 2018
TU alumna Debora Plunkett '81, a cybersecurity leader with more than 30 years of experience, has been appointed to the Towson University Board of Visitors by President Kim Schatzel.
The TU Board of Visitors is the president’s advisory group. Presidential appointees include alumni, business professionals, educators and volunteers. Representatives from the faculty, staff, student body and alumni association also serve on the board.
“Towson University developed the first undergraduate cybersecurity program in Maryland, and Debora Plunkett is an internationally recognized cybersecurity expert with leadership experience at the highest levels of the National Security Agency,” said Schatzel. “Debbie’s talents align well with TU's emphasis on cybersecurity, and her experience in senior leadership and corporate boards will be of great value as we continue advancing Towson University’s strong momentum.”
Plunkett is the principal of the cybersecurity consulting firm Plunkett Associates LLC as well as a senior fellow at Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and Technology. She is adjunct professor in the cybersecurity program at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) graduate school.
She serves on the corporate boards of JCPenney, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems, Lynx Technology Partners, and International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals.
Plunkett retired from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2016 after more than 31 years in government. She was named the agency’s first senior adviser for equality in 2014. In this role she focused on developing and overseeing a model to ensure equality, inclusion and diversity in the organization. Her leadership resulted in new policies and processes for the NSA and the intelligence community at large. The director of national intelligence mandated two of her initiatives for the entire community.
She served previously as the NSA’s deputy director, then as director of information assurance, where she built strong security solutions and directives to safeguard classified communications. In that role she led NSA’s cyber defense, cryptography and information systems security missions, directing thousands of personnel across the world.
She also served on the National Security Council at the White House, leading the development and coordination of national policy on infrastructure protection and cybersecurity issues. She was director of the council during the Clinton and George W. Bush administrations.
Among Plunkett’s rewards are the ranks of Meritorious Executive in the Senior Cryptologic Executive Service in 2007 and the Distinguished Executive in 2012. In 2015, she earned the Intelligence Community Equal Opportunity and Diversity Exemplary Leadership Award and the Exceptional Civilian Service Award.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from TU, her M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and her master’s degree in national security strategy from the National War College in 2002. Plunkett completed the Harvard Law School program in conflict management and negotiations and the Leadership at the Peak program at the Center for Creative Leadership.