Ralph Russo

Program Director, Professor of Practice, Applied Computing

  • New Orleans LA UNITED STATES
  • School of Professional Advancement
rrusso@tulane.edu504-434-7762

Ralph Russo is an expert on technology in the homeland security and public safety domains.

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Spotlight

1 min

Beware of Cyber scams/fraud related to COVID-19

The FBI reports scammers are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to steal money and personal information, or both in some cases. The general public can protect itself and should do research before clicking on links purporting to provide information on the virus, donating to a charity online or through social media, contributing to a crowdfunding campaign, purchasing products online or giving up your personal information to receive money or other benefits. Schemes include:·     Fake CDC emails used for phishing·     Fake government program used for phishing attempts·     Fake GoFundMe type phishing·     Counterfeit, phony Covid-19 treatments, products, masksThe misinformation and scams leveraging fake information has led FEMA to create a Coronavirus Rumor page at: https://www.fema.gov/coronavirus-rumor-control to dispel erroneous /fake rumors.Ralph Russo, an expert and director of information technology programs in Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement, is available to speak about cybersecurity attacks and can offer steps to minimize the possibility of being hacked. For interviews, contact pr@tulane.edu or Roger Dunaway at 504-542-2906. 

Ralph Russo

2 min

Tulane expert available to speak on Louisiana's cybersecurity state of emergency

On July 29, Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency after three Louisiana school systems experienced cyberattacks. School systems in Sabine and Morehouse parishes and the city of Monroe were each affected by severe malware outbreaks.Ralph Russo, director of information technology programs in Tulane University's School of Professional Advancement, is available to speak about cybersecurity attacks and can offer steps to minimize the possibility of being hacked.   "Based on the (incomplete) information coming out of Louisiana, one could assume that these ransomware episodes are the result of using phishing attacks as the attack vector, in which malicious links are clicked or attachments are opened by government employees/contractors," Russo said.  Cybersecurity Preventative MeasuresIn this specific case, and considering the state of emergency and high likelihood of attack, local government IT leadership should take the following steps/measures to reduce the chance of being successfully hacked, and if so to minimize the impact of the breach:Assign someone to take the leadership role in ensuring that actions are taken expeditiously, and as a liaison to government on this issue. This should NOT be the person(s) responsible for responding to an attack as a technical resource.Conduct an immediate awareness/education campaign to all users on phishing. Ensure that suspected phishing attempts are captured and reported to leadership during this time.Review user privileges and remove/downgrade all privileges that are not specifically required for someone to do their specific job. Often, admin “super-user” privileges are given as a status or nod to an employee’s rank or position. If these folks, often non-technical, are successfully leveraged for an attack, then the attacker gains these rights. Ensure that a complete map/inventory of the network, servers/infrastructure, and all connections to the internet are known and documented. You can’t protect something that you don’t know you have, or don’t know how to locate.Immediately verify that system backups are up to date, and complete. Consider performing a manual backup of critical systems, and then air-gapping those backups (do not leave them accessible to the network that may be targeted).Ensure that the network is segmented to constrain successful attackers to specific areas of the network. For example, if the Education Department has been successfully attacked, invaders should not be able to move over to Public Safety or government administration. Review firewall configuration – are they configured to provide the segmentation that leadership thinks they are providing?Click here to contact Ralph Russo

Ralph Russo

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Biography

Ralph Russo is the Director of the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement Applied Computing Program, where he is focused on keeping learning delivery and the Applied Computing curriculum on pace with cutting-edge technology, security and industry advancement. Russo also holds the title of Professor of Practice. He created and delivered the first graduate and undergraduate cybersecurity courses at Tulane in 2011, and has taught in both the Homeland Security and Applied Computing programs.

Russo is a nationally recognized subject matter expert on technology in the homeland security and public safety domains. He has served in director-level leadership positions for technology/systems integration companies for over 15 years. He has also consulted for multiple federal, state and local jurisdictions to successfully guide the development, deployment and adoption of IT systems for security and public safety.

Russo retired from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) in 2005. His 20+ year career with NYPD included leadership positions in a wide array of investigative and field assignments. Of note, Mr. Russo served as the Commanding Officer of an Organized Crime Control HIDTA Task Force of Local/State/Federal law enforcement. He also served as a Commanding Officer at NYPD Intelligence RIC/Watch, where he designed, managed and implemented agency-wide law enforcement and homeland security systems for tracking Confidential Informants, Search Warrants and Counterterrorism Leads - including the NYC Terrorism Hotline (888-NYC-SAFE).

As an entrepreneur, he has co-owned two startup technology firms. These small businesses focused on delivering secure solutions to businesses handling personal data, and on creating, marketing and delivering software for police officers seeking to advance their careers.

Russo holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business and a Master of Science degree in Information Technology.

Russo is passionate about technology, and its real-world uses. He is strongly motivated to educate and prepare students in different phases of their careers to lead secure technology programs that drive innovation and safety in the community while engendering trust and bringing value to the users.

Russo lives in the New Orleans area with his wife Michelle, a Federal IT Program Manager and expert on Lean/Agile IT operations, and their family.

Areas of Expertise

Software Development
Computer Science
Emergency Management
Public Safety
Emergency Operations
Information Technology Management
Technical Operations

Media Appearances

Is Biometrics ID Security Good Enough?

Tech News World  online

2019-04-02

"Biometrics have been around as identifiers and authentication means for over 100 years, with the most well-known case being that of police/law enforcement use of fingerprints," noted Ralph Russo, director of the School of Professional Advancement Information Technology Program at Tulane University.

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New Orleans higher education news for July 15, 2018: Tulane adds master's in cybersecurity; UNO gets $50K for research

New Orleans Advocate  online

2018-07-15

“The cybersecurity management program curriculum was built with the input and advice of an industry panel of practitioners and executives,” said Ralph Russo, associate director of applied computing systems and technology at Tulane’s School of Professional Advancement. “This design ensures that our graduates possess the relevant knowledge, skills and abilities most in demand in the marketplace.”

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The College Guide for Servicemembers and Veterans

Best Colleges  online

As either an active-duty or retired servicemember, you are an individual who has demonstrated the ability to persevere, meeting the challenges of service and maintaining focus on your aspirations. A number of public and private organizations provide financial aid and unique services to active-duty and veteran servicemembers to help them pursue higher education and adapt to civilian life.

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Event Appearances

National Cyber Security Alliance

Cybersecurity Education  New Orleans

2019-02-07

National Cyber Security Alliance

Entergy/Tulane Academic Panel  New Orleans

2018-12-05