Rob Olson

Rob Olson is a Senior Lecturer and Undergraduate Program Director in the Department of Cybersecurity at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He teaches courses in programming for information security, reverse engineering, web application security, mobile device security, and penetration testing methodologies. His expertise spans application security, mobile security, and privacy, with a focus on practical defense mechanisms and ethical hacking techniques.

• Education:
• BS and MS from State University of New York (SUNY) College at Fredonia
• MS in Management Information Systems from Nova Southeastern University

Olson's research interests emphasize penetration testing methodologies, software exploitation, and securing web/mobile applications. He previously taught at SUNY Fredonia, focusing on programming, security, and artificial intelligence. He holds certifications as a Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

His work has been featured in Discover Magazine and Federal News Network, discussing topics such as penetration testing effectiveness and hacking techniques. Olson leads RIT's cybersecurity assessments for tools like Partisan Telegram, a messaging app for activists in restricted regimes, through the ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute.

Olson coordinates co-op programs (CSEC-498/499) to bridge academic training with industry practices in software development, networking, and system administration. He actively contributes to cybersecurity education standards and practitioner readiness.