Reginald Hyde Joins University of Alabama Cyber Institute as Executive Director; Joe Benson Comments

Reginald Hyde, former Defense Department deputy undersecretary for intelligence and security, has joined the University of Alabama’s Cyber Institute as executive director.

He will be responsible for the institute’s interdisciplinary research and educational programs on cybersecurity, big data, digital forensics and embedded systems, UA said Tuesday.

“Taking a comprehensive approach to cyber research and education is a priority for the University of Alabama, and we are very pleased to have an individual of Reg Hyde’s caliber to lead these efforts,” said Joe Benson, UA interim provost.

“Reg’s experience with the challenges of cyber security and related technologies will be extremely valuable as we build our programs in this area,” Benson added.

Hyde most recently oversaw core defense intelligence enterprise areas within the DoD and served as a CIA operations officer before concluding his 30-year career at the department.

Promoted to a senior intelligence service role in 2012, he worked with then Defense Secretary Robert Gates to integrate and develop intelligence capabilities.