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BETTER THAN EVER

Dorothy Denning career in cyber security. Originally Countering Cyberspace Scofflaws
Now, back to Dorothy’s illustrious
(1997), a comprehensive collection of
essays on cyber security. This was soon
pursuing an undergraduate degree
in mathematics, Dorothy planned to
Warfare and Security in 1998.
be a high school math teacher. But in followed by her book Information
the mid-60s, when a professor at the Dorothy has received over 20
From Cyber Security Legend to Lover of Fort Ord’s Natural Beauty University of Michigan asked her to prestigious awards for cybersecurity
learn to use the campus computer, innovations. Career highlights include
BY CAROLYNE WEST-KARNOFEL, SERRA VILLAGE she jumped at the opportunity! This induction into the inaugural class of the
eventually led her to earn a PhD in National Cyber Security Hall of Fame, as
It is my pleasure to introduce Dorothy computer science at Purdue University well as the National Computer Systems
Denning to the Greet HWY 68 Loop Living life to the fullest and being in 1975 with a dissertation entitled Security Award for her pioneering work.
Better Than Ever in the 50+
community. Dorothy is a cyber security crowd is celebrated on this page. Secure Information Flow in Computer She was also the first president of the
pioneer and author of numerous award- Contact Laurie.Martin@n2co.com Systems using a “lattice model.” This International Association for Cryptologic
or phone 272-4620 to share your
winning contributions to the national accomplishments. work is still in use today. Note: Dorothy Research in the 1980s. Because of her
and international arena through her did this research and work before most expertise, she has testified numerous
numerous papers and books. of us had ever heard of computers, times before U.S. Congressional
But, before I summarize her much less knowing how to use one. committees concerning cyberterrorism awarded NPS’s highest honor, Emeritus
impressive career, allow me to share her Dorothy continued teaching and encryption. Distinguished Professor.
more recent passion. at Purdue from 1975-1983. During By now, you might be thinking: As you hike, bike, or run the trails of
Upon relocating to Las Palmas from this time, she wrote her first book, How did such a remarkable individual Fort Ord’s hills and meadows, keep an
Monterey 20 years ago, Dorothy and Cryptography and Data Security. happen to come to our neck of the eye out for a beautiful and intelligent
her husband, Peter, quickly discovered From 1983-87, she was a researcher at woods? Well, in 2002, Dorothy became woman with a camera and notepad
many miles of natural beauty in the SRI International, laying the foundations a professor at the Naval Postgraduate in hand. Dorothy is an inspiration for
Fort Ord National Monument. Hiking for intrusion detection systems and School in the Department of Defense us all. With her brilliant mind and her
most days of the week, she discovers database security. This was followed Analysis. In 2009, she was named a gentle spirit, she encourages us to pause
new wonders with each hike. Dorothy by her work with Digital Equipment Distinguished Professor. Upon her and fall in love with nature in our very
recently published two books, each Corporation (Palo Alto Systems Research retirement in 2016, Dorothy was own backyard.
featuring over 1,000 photos that Center 1987-91), where she studied
illustrate what she loves about the hackers who break into computers.
plentiful, colorful plant life found Eager to return to Academia,
throughout Fort Ord. Dorothy became chairperson of the Carolyne West-Karnofel lives in Serra Village and enjoys
Georgetown University Computer her neighbors, and contributing beautiful stories to the
Dorothy did this Science Department, where she served as Greet community magazine.
research and work professor for eleven years. While there,
before most of us had she and Peter edited Internet Besiege:
ever heard of computers,
much less knowing how
to use one.

Her first book, Fort Ord A Love
Story, offers a guide to the many trails
and plants. Denning stated, “A lot of
books about plants are more scientific
and technical. But my book is a love
story. It talks about what I find beautiful
in the setting and foliage.” Her second
book, Fort Ord in Twelve Months,
highlights some natural treasures and
flowers that appeared each month in a
twelve-month period. Both books are
highly educational and designed to
assist the user of Fort Ord trails to better
understand and appreciate the habitat
with each step.

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