Jonathan Hafner
Jonathan HafnerM.S. Information Management ‘09B.S. Information Management and Technology ‘04Syracuse, NYBeing from the area, Baldwinsville, NY, Syracuse University seemed like the right choice for both undergrad and grad school. The School of Information Studies at SU offers a great mix of technology, business, management and process knowledge through class work and other opportunities available to students. Because I had a strong interest in technology, but also wanted to have a “management” aspect to the work I’d being doing, the iSchool was a great fit.
After I received my BS in information management and technology from the School of Information Studies in 2004, I went to work at General Electric in the Information Management Leadership Program. This was a 2 year, rotational program which gives participants an opportunity to gain business, technology and leadership experience through four six month rotations or assignments. My education at the School of Information Studies really gave me a strong foundation to build upon in the “real world.” After completing the program I worked as an Information Security Architect and focused on leading data protection projects. Some of the projects I completed were in the areas of securing data in various forms such as through file transfers, on USB drives or information transferred on back-up tapes.
After working for three years, I returned to grad school in the iSchool with the Scholarship for Service (SFS) Program. The SFS program is designed to increase the Information Security and Information Assurance workforce in the United States Government. My Masters degree is in Information Management and I also completed a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Information Security Management.
Between my first and second year of grad school, I interned with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Alexandria, VA. My projects were focused on Information Security policy and included research and policy work in the areas of portable storage encryption and electronic discovery. After graduation, I will be going to work for the Federal Government in the field of Information Security.
Current students, prospective students, alumni or faculty can contact me at
jhafner@syr.edu. If you have any questions about the School, the programs I attended, my work experience, the working world or any Information Security topics, I’d be happy to speak with you.
Jon