On the new episode of the “Behrend Talks” podcast, Chancellor Ralph Ford talks with alumnus Jeremy O’Mard, senior managing consultant at IBM, about how artificial intelligence is changing the cybersecurity landscape. The recording is available at the “Behrend Talks” webpage.

O’Mard, a 2013 graduate, returned to Behrend Nov. 6 for the college’s Speaker Series. He discussed AI and cybersecurity, including the new digital defenses the technology provides.

O’Mard has more than a decade of experience in system administration, technical operations and security applications for commercial, state and federal organizations. He is responsible for the installation, maintenance and security of the IBM Commissary Advance Resale Transaction System, which is used at U.S. Department of Defense commissaries around the world.

In addition to his work at IBM, O’Mard serves as a major in the Maryland Defense Force and as commander of the 256th Cyber Defense Unit. In 2021, he received the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award, which honors alumni 35 years of age and younger for extraordinary professional accomplishments.

“Behrend Talks” is a monthly podcast and radio show that explores issues that are important to the Penn State Behrend community, and to others in the Erie region. For an archive of previous episodes, visit the “Behrend Talks” webpage.