Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us
Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    Two cybersecurity faculty earn high-level certifications

    January 2, 2020
    Dr. Tamirat Abegaz, assistant professor of computer science, is a GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst and GIAC Certified Incident Handler. Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science in UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business, has earned the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) in Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM).

    Article By: Staff

    While University of North Georgia (UNG) students cemented their cybersecurity prowess with a top-10 ranking in a competition this semester, two computer science faculty members recently earned high-level certifications in the cybersecurity field.

    Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science in UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business, has earned the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC) in Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM). The focus is on analyzing and disassembling malware to neutralize cyber threats from viruses to ransomware and beyond.

    GIAC is an information security certification entity that specializes in technical and practical certification. It provides the highest and most rigorous assurance of cyber security knowledge and skill available to industry, government, and military clients across the world.

    "Only 4,360 cyber professionals in the world hold this certification," said Payne, director of the Center for Cyber Operations Education. "It's the highest-level reverse engineering certification in the industry, and the hands-on training has helped me educate our future cyber leaders and prepare our Cyber Operations competition teams for contests like the NSA Codebreaker Challenge and other capture-the-flag events."

    He also holds the GIAC Certified Penetration Tester (GPEN) certification, and about 9,031 professionals have it.

    Complementing Payne is Dr. Tamirat Abegaz, assistant professor of computer science, with two certifications. He is a GIAC Certified Forensic Analyst and GIAC Certified Incident Handler.

    "Currently, SANS' GIAC is the best digital forensics and incident response certification available," Abegaz said. "It is endorsed by practitioners in law enforcement and the private sector."

    Only 9,317 professionals are certified forensic analysts in the world. Abegaz said he took the course because book knowledge is not enough to teach cybersecurity.

    Contact the Author

    Teachers gain skills in cybersecurity

    Teachers gain skills in cybersecurity

    Thanks to a grant from the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation, UNG hosted an academy this summer for middle and high school educators to learn how to teach cybersecurity.
    Payne helps coach U.S. to  third-place cyber finish

    Payne helps coach U.S. to third-place cyber finish

    UNG computer science professor Dr. Bryson Payne was part of the coaching staff for the U.S. Cyber Team as it finished third in the inaugural International Cybersecurity Challenge in Athens, Greece.
    Cadet wins  AFCEA scholarship

    Cadet wins AFCEA scholarship

    University of North Georgia sophomore cadet Jaden Davidson has won the AFCEA Atlanta chapter's 2022 merit scholarship.
    Partnership launches new leadership program

    Partnership launches new leadership program

    UNG's TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership and the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education are launching a Fellows Leadership Program from February 2023 through September 2023.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment /HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2022 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.1 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    AskNigel