Virgil Dorin Gligor – A Visionary in Cybersecurity and a Model for the Global Academy

With a career spanning nearly four decades, Virgil Dorin Gligor is a respected professor, prolific researcher, and visionary leader who has significantly contributed to the creation and protection of the digital infrastructures we rely on daily. This reality is reflected not only in the prestigious academic positions he holds but also in the tangible impact of his work in the real world.

At the core of this success lies an impressive educational and professional journey. Professor Gligor earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of California, Berkeley, one of the world’s most prestigious institutions. He then began his career at the University of Maryland, where he taught and conducted research for over three decades. What sets his journey apart is not just its longevity, but the diversity of his academic and professional experiences. Professor Gligor has taught and collaborated with renowned universities such as Cambridge, ETH Zurich, and EPF Lausanne and has provided consultancy to major tech corporations like IBM and Microsoft.

What makes Virgil Gligor a standout name in the field of cybersecurity? The answer lies in his innovative vision and ability to foresee the needs and challenges of the digital future. Throughout his career, Professor Gligor has tackled a wide range of subjects, from access control and applied cryptography to protection against denial-of-service attacks and the development of a secure internet for future generations. These topics form the foundation of the security of networks, systems, and data used daily by billions of people.

One of the most remarkable aspects of his work is his continuous focus on trustworthy computing in the presence of active adversaries – an increasingly urgent issue in a world where cyber threats are constantly evolving. The fact that Virgil Gligor has not limited himself to theoretical research but has applied his findings in consultancy for major corporations and governments highlights the practical relevance of his work. In a field often dominated by theorists, Professor Gligor stands out for his ability to translate complex concepts into actionable solutions.

The awards and honours he has received throughout his career confirm the value of his contributions. The National Information Security Award, granted by the U.S. National Security Agency, and the ACM Award for Outstanding Innovation are just two examples of the many international recognitions he has received. These accolades underscore not only his technical expertise but also his significant contributions to the development of a global cybersecurity framework.

Perhaps the most important legacy Professor Virgil Gligor leaves behind is not a tangible one, but a symbolic one: a model of academic excellence and real-world impact. Through his work at CyLab, one of the most prestigious university research institutions in information security and privacy, Professor Gligor continues to shape future generations of experts who will fight for a safer and more secure internet.

Professor Virgil Dorin Gligor is not only a leading figure in academic research but also a pioneer in cybersecurity. His influence is felt not only in the articles and books he has published but also in the secure technologies we use every day. In an increasingly vulnerable digital world, his contributions are more relevant and necessary than ever. It is clear that his legacy will continue to inspire and protect future generations.

In this interview, Professor Gligor shares insights into his research, the evolution of cybersecurity, and the challenges that lie ahead for both the field and the global community.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: What initially inspired you to focus on the field of information security, and how has your motivation evolved over the years?

Professor Gligor: I began my research in information security during the early stages of my doctorate, around 1973-1974. Back then, this field was still in its infancy, but it was clear to me that fundamental changes in operating systems and computer processors were essential to ensure security. Between 1972 and 1976, there were only six doctorates awarded in this field across the United States, and even fewer in cryptography, as research in cryptography was prohibited by law until 1976. Over time, my motivation has only strengthened as the importance of securing digital infrastructures continues to grow.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: You have collaborated with large corporations like IBM and Microsoft. In your view, what have been the most significant technological advancements in cybersecurity in recent decades?

Professor Gligor: The last two decades have seen substantial advances in cybersecurity research, but many of these innovations have been slow to be implemented in practice. For example, multi-factor authentication—combining a password with a verification code sent to a phone—was developed long before it became widely used. This delay in applying research has allowed cyber fraud to proliferate, and the cost of mitigating attacks has soared. While we’ve made notable progress, many challenges still lie ahead, particularly in terms of applying cutting-edge research in real-world settings.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: One of your current research areas focuses on trust computation in the presence of active adversaries. What major challenges have you encountered in this field, and what promising solutions have you identified? 

Professor Gligor: The primary challenge in this field is the asymmetry of advantage that active adversaries hold over defenders. An adversary only needs to find one vulnerability to exploit, while the defender must secure all possible points of attack. Along with my collaborators, I have demonstrated that in certain cases, this advantage can be mitigated. For instance, a user with physical access to a device can protect a system partition so securely that an external adversary cannot penetrate it, even if they gain control over the rest of the system. However, the general challenge remains—achieving trust in computing systems under these conditions is difficult, as the attacker often has the upper hand.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: As a professor at some of the world’s most prestigious universities, how do you inspire and motivate new generations of researchers and students to innovate in cybersecurity?

Professor Gligor: The key to inspiring the next generation is to present unsolved, interesting problems in cybersecurity through publications and lectures. Young researchers are often drawn to these challenges and reach out to collaborate. For example, my longstanding partnership with Carnegie Mellon University began years before I joined the institution. Encouraging innovation involves not only solving existing problems but also anticipating and addressing new ones. This approach fosters intellectual growth and fuels breakthroughs in the field.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: How has your Romanian background influenced your career and academic success?

Professor Gligor: I believe my Romanian roots, especially the experiences during the 1950s and 1960s under a totalitarian regime, played a significant role in shaping my academic and professional path. Growing up, there was a constant need to secure personal communications, even from state surveillance, which instilled in me a mindset of defense against strong adversaries. My father, a veterinarian and corresponding member of the Romanian Academy, provided me with invaluable advice: one of the few ways to maintain independence in a controlled state was through academia and research. This philosophy has guided my career ever since.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: You have participated in projects with Romanian researchers. Could you share some of your experiences in this area?

Professor Gligor: While most of my collaborations have been with Romanian PhD students in the U.S., I have been invited to lecture at the „Days of Romanian Cryptography” several times in recent years. I’ve also worked with professors from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest on various projects and hope to expand this collaboration to a national scale. The superior academic training traditionally provided in Romania continues to be a strength, and I am optimistic about the contributions Romanian researchers will make to global cybersecurity.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: What advice would you give to Romanian students interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity? 

Professor Gligor: I have two key pieces of advice. First, study the design, construction, and exploitation of new systems thoroughly, as they will present significant security challenges in the future. Second, instead of competing to solve well-known problems, focus on identifying and addressing new security issues. Anticipating and solving these will lead to success, both intellectually and professionally. Taking calculated risks in research reduces the chances of failure, especially when the solution paves the way for future innovations.

Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean: Looking ahead, what do you see as the most pressing global cybersecurity threats, and how should the international community respond?

Professor Gligor: Three major threats stand out to me. First, many companies are vulnerable to attacks because they have unresolved security issues, often due to budget constraints or lack of expertise. Second, the delay in detecting and recovering from system penetrations remains a significant issue. Third, the sponsorship of cyber-attacks by authoritarian states against democratic infrastructure—such as power grids and healthcare systems—poses a global danger. The international community must urgently address known vulnerabilities, improve cybersecurity knowledge among public infrastructure operators, and establish global conventions for protecting national infrastructures.

Professor Virgil Dorin Gligor’s contributions to cybersecurity continue to shape the field and protect the digital infrastructure that underpins modern society. His insights, experience, and forward-thinking approach offer invaluable guidance for future generations of researchers and professionals in the field.

Editor’s Note:

Professor Virgil Dorin Gligor is one of the 22 finalists nominated for the “Romanian Excellence Trophy – Alexandru Cioranescu” the fourth edition (2023-2024) of the “We Support Excellence!” Campaign, launched by The Romanian West in 2015 in Benidorm, Spain. This unique cultural initiative highlights successful Romanians in the diaspora. In a world increasingly influenced by financial and personal interests, this initiative emphasizes essential values such as integrity, merit, and community involvement.

This project stands out by promoting excellence in an authentic way, honouring those Romanians who, through outstanding professional and personal achievements, contribute to a positive image of Romania abroad. The campaign not only aims to recognize individual merits but also to strengthen the sense of belonging and solidarity within Romanian communities in the diaspora. Through this, The Romanian West successfully creates a bridge between Western values of transparency and meritocracy and the Romanian cultural identity, demonstrating that Romanians can excel and integrate harmoniously into various international societies.

Launched as part of a cultural initiative, the campaign provides a clear model of mobilization and recognition of values at a time when such efforts are often overlooked due to financial and political interests. Thus, “We Support Excellence!” not only promotes individual success but also contributes to improving Romania’s image on the international stage, offering an example of authentic involvement in supporting excellence and community values.

Produced by: Kasandra Kalmann Nasaudean
Photo: Professor Virgil Gligor (Personal Archive)