Dan Diessner joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in late 2020, where he is currently the Executive Director for the Center for Aerospace Resilient Systems, which is the Embry-Riddle wide research center focused on Aerospace Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning (AI/ML). He has personally receive and led over $2.3M in Aviation Cyber Data Science (AI/ML) research grants work over the last 3 years. Dan also serves the aviation community as a member of several organizations and advisory boards, including:
- UN International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): As a Secretary General appointed Technical Advisor to the ICAO Trust Framework Panel (TFP), and TFP leadership team member.
- FAA Research Engineering & Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) – Subcommittee on Aircraft Safety (SAS): Advisory committee member for Aircraft Cybersecurity and Aircraft Systems.
- Cyber Safety Commercial Aviation Team (CSCAT): Leadership team member, (formerly the founding Chairperson).
- Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Subcommittee: Invited observing member, (formerly the founding Chairperson).
- Member of the Aviation Cybersecurity Initiative (ACI) N-Factor Industry Advisory Board on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Initiatives.
Prior to joining Embry-Riddle, Dan worked at The Boeing Company for over 34 years leading innovation in airplane systems, product cybersecurity, network systems, and mission communications & data systems, with a career focused on the implementation of new technology & product development for both commercial and military transport aircraft. Two capstone positions Dan held prior to retiring from The Boeing Company included: Chief Engineer for Airplane Systems Product Development & New Technologies for Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), and Senior Manager of the BCA Product Cybersecurity and Airplane Software Integration organization. During this time, he was committed to the global community in many areas including as an ICCAIA Security Committee member and leadership team member of the ICAO Trust Framework Study Group as well as an early member of the ICAO Secretariate Study Group Cybersecurity. Dan was a founding member and Chairperson of the AIA Civil Aviation Cybersecurity Subcommittee, a founding member and Chairperson of the Cyber Safety Commercial Aviation Team, and a member of the Board of Directors (BoD) of the Aviation ISAC.
Dan looks forward to working together in continuing to help shape the cybersecurity, cyber resilience, and cyber safety of the global aerospace ecosystem.
February 2024