Richard Clarke discusses Cyber War at second Khalifa University public lecture

As part of the Khalifa University public lectures series, Richard A. Clarke delivered a lecture on 'Cyber Security and Technology: Managing Risks of Connected Societies’ on Monday 18 April 2011.

Richard Clarke is an internationally recognized expert on security, including homeland security, national security, cyber security, and counterterrorism. He is currently an on-air consultant for ABC News and teaches at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He is also a member of the board of trustees at Khalifa University.

The lecture was held at the Emirates Palace, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Mugheer Al Khaili, Director General of Abu Dhabi Education Council and member of the board of trustees at Khalifa University; Professor Tod Laursen, President of Khalifa University and Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice President. Khalifa University, and joined by faculty, students and members of the public.

His lecture delved into the world of cyber terrorism and the new era of social interconnectedness and how to manage associated risks. He described in depth what cyber war is and how cyber weapons work, and why the global community is so vulnerable to attack. A topic he covers in his latest book, “Cyber War: the Next threat to National Security and What to do about it.”

President of Khalifa University, Professor Tod A. Laursen, commenting after the lecture said, “We at Khalifa University are honoured that Richard Clarke joined us as part of our public lecture series. I would like to thank Richard for his informative lecture on the serious threat posed by Cyber Terrorism.”

He added, “These lectures have been established to educate and inform the university community and indeed the public on various subjects, with particular emphasis on issues involving the interrelation of technology with society and the world around us. The public lecture series supports our vision to be a world class institution.”

Clarke has served the last three presidents as a senior White House Advisor. Over the course of an unprecedented 11 consecutive years of White House Service, he held the following titles: Special Assistant to the President for Global Affairs; National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism; and Special Advisor to the president for Cyber Security. He is the author of the acclaimed book, “Against All Enemies”. Prior to his White House years, Clarke served for 19 years in the Pentagon, the Intelligence Community, and State Department. In a Special Report by Foreign Policy Magazine, Clarke was chosen as one of The Top 100 Global Thinkers of 2010.

This lecture was the second in the distinguished speaker’s series at Khalifa University, last month, Dr. Graham Allison Director of Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs delivered a lecture to a packed auditorium on the topic of the looming danger of a nuclear catastrophe.

Khalifa University recently launched a Masters program in International and Civil Security, as well as a Masters program in Information Security.