USF Sarasota-Manatee instructor wins technology award

Rasmussen, a partner and chief technology officer at the Tampa-based cybersecurity company Abacode, was presented the award by Tampa Bay Tech, a regional technology advocacy organization. Rasmussen has taught more than 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students at USFSM in an attempt to create environments where “innovation can thrive.”

“I am very grateful to Tampa Bay Tech and honored to receive this recognition,” he said. “This award is the culmination of a journey that began nearly 18 years ago when I taught the first ‘Intro to computer security’ class at USF. Now, awareness of cybersecurity issues is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and I feel as if I’ve done a small part in helping raise that awareness in our community.”

Rasmussen has been teaching cybersecurity courses at USFSM since the start of the program in 2007. In addition to chairing USFSM’s IT External Advising Committee, he advises the student-based Whitehatters club and takes student teams to cybersecurity hacking competitions, such as the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition and DEFCON Capture the Flag.

Currently, he teaches Principles of Information Technology and Mobile and Wireless Security.

“Students love him,” IT instructor Dr. Sunita Lodwig said. “His classes fill up fast, and Abacode provides internships to our students. Also, I’m working with Jeremy regarding the setup of a security center on the campus.”

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