UA Little Rock Hires Expert Digital Forensic Examiner as New Cybersecurity Professor
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has welcomed a highly experienced digital forensic examiner and cyber analyst, Rebecca Passmore, as its newest cybersecurity professor.
With an extensive background in investigative work, Passmore will bring valuable real-world expertise to the classroom, preparing students for the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity.
Having taught part-time at UA Little Rock as an instructor since 2020, Passmore is excited to join the Department of Computer Science as an assistant professor, where she teaches Introduction to Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Advanced Digital Forensics, and Incident Response.
“I am so excited to join the talented cohort of innovative faculty members at UA Little Rock,” she said. “Many of my previous classes have been online because of the COVID-19 pandemic, so I love interacting with the students, experiencing the college atmosphere, and seeing the enthusiasm the students have about their future careers. I tell my husband all the time that I love going to work because it is so much fun.”
Passmore also serves as the faculty advisor to the Cybersecurity Club, which has grown to about 45 students this year. The Cybersecurity Club hosts guest speakers from the cybersecurity industry, participates in competitions like Jolt, and presents at career fairs and recruiting events.
Passmore is dedicated to equipping her students with the skills to become proficient cybersecurity professionals, ready to meet the growing demand for their expertise in an increasingly digital world.
“Cybersecurity is an incredible career field,” Passmore said. “My goal is to help build the cybersecurity program into a world-renowned hub of opportunity for our students by incorporating guest speakers, hands-on presentations, and real-world applications that go beyond theory. Every day, we witness small and large organizations facing data breaches, and the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals continues to grow.”
Before joining UA Little Rock, Passmore previously served as a senior vice president at Kroll, Inc. in digital forensics and incident response, working on investigations in ransomware, business email compromise, cloud enterprise, and intrusions.
She has more than 20 years of investigative experience, honing her skills as a senior digital forensic examiner with the FBI. Throughout her career, she has successfully conducted several challenging digital investigations ranging from national security to insider threats, internet fraud, child exploitation, terrorism, and public corruption.
Passmore has a bachelor’s degree in information technology from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Science degree in Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigations from the University of Maryland University College. She is also earning a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Sciences at UA Little Rock.
Passmore and her husband Revel Passmore, vice president of field operations of Platinum Drywall, Inc. live in Cabot with their four dogs.
