Aiken Appointed Director of Cybersecurity Center

Turner College computer science faculty member, Patrick Aiken, has been appointed to head the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity.  "We are extremely fortunate to have Patrick Aiken take on the role of Director of the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity,” stated Dean of the Turner College of Business, Deborah Kidder. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge as well as a strong network in the Cyber and IT corporate community here in Columbus. He has already been instrumental in getting our Nexus program launched, and I look forward to working with him as we continue to develop our cybersecurity initiatives in Turner College." Aiken replaces the inaugural holder of the Center’s directorship, Michael Barker, who recently joined the Georgia Institute of Technology as a senior project manager in cybersecurity.  Aiken joined the TSYS School of Computer Science in 2020, after an impressive private sector career that includes serving as the IT Director at TSYS from 2000 to 2020, and Associate IT Director at Aflac from 1991 to 2000.  Prior to these, Aiken was a Systems Designer at CSU from 1988 to 1991.  He holds a BBA in management information systems, an MS in cybersecurity, and an MBA, all from CSU.  The TSYS Center for Cybersecurity, which opened in October of 2017, was developed from an initial donation of $2.5 million from TSYS.  “It’s super exciting to be in a position that allows me to prepare and connect students from my alma mater with colleagues in companies in the industry where I spent many wonderful years doing challenging and rewarding work,” said Aiken. “I’ve wanted to be a part of preparing this next generation of technology workers and leaders to make the world a better place! The future is theirs, but it is nice to have some kind of impact on helping them shape that future.”