Campus News

April 28th, 2026

GC professor offers tools to foil cyber crime

Allman: Goal is to find 'balance between protection and usability'

In discussing cybersecurity, Kenny Allman first described what it isn't.

"Cybersecurity isn't about hiding from technology," said Garrett College's assistant professor of cybersecurity. "It's about defending yourself in a world where your data is always exposed."

Allman also noted staying clear of the internet isn't an effective strategy.

"Staying offline doesn't make you safe – it makes you blind," Allman recently told a group of coworkers taking a personal cybersecurity course through Garrett College's Learning Hub.

Allman advised employees on how to effectively address a lost or stolen cell phone, including remotely wiping a cell phone if necessary to keep others from getting access to your information. He also said simple steps – such as establishing a PIN number on your cell phone – can slow down phone thieves.

Allman also recommended that people consider instituting a "credit freeze" with all three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

"Credit freezes are easy to implement and easy to remove," said Allman, noting a credit freeze reduces the ability for anyone to create fraudulent accounts in someone else's name without impacting an individual's ability to use existing credit accounts.

Allman also offered strategies for dealing with online scammers, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

"Technological advances have killed blind trust in voice and video," said Allman, who noted a scammer can use three seconds of a person's real voice to produce and disseminate high-quality fake messages. This includes messages purportedly from family members, saying they need money for an emergency immediately.

Allman said there are steps people can take now to ensure their families are not scammed by fake voice and video.

"Create a family 'safe' word, and use a verification step on a second-hand channel you control," advised Allman. "Slow everything down... urgency is their weapon – time is your defense. A good rule is 'no immediate decisions – and no exceptions.' "

Allman said it's important for families to "set expectations," including "I will never ask for money or passwords over a call or text."

Allman said cybersecurity is about effectively operating in an increasingly technological world.

"Security," Allman said, "is about finding the balance between protection and usability."