Nathan Burow

I connect deeply with the Laboratory’s mission of technology in support of national security.

Tell us about broadly about your work at the Laboratory. What kinds of problems are you researching or developing technology to address?

Since starting at the Laboratory, I’ve been focused on how to automatically secure existing code bases. Existing code tends not to have been developed with security in mind, and it is impractical to replace all of it. Consequently, we need automated technologies that can meaningfully harden existing projects. Such hardening can take the form of removing unnecessary code, better testing practices, and developing new security policies that can easily be retrofitted in.

What inspired you to pursue a career in cybersecurity?

I was fortunate enough to play football in college. A large part of that experience was learning to analyze how your opponent was going to attack you, and the most efficient way to defeat their strategy. That same type of analysis is at the heart of cybersecurity — understanding how your system will be attacked and developing novel technologies to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Why is Lincoln Laboratory a good fit for you?

I connect deeply with the Laboratory’s mission of technology in support of national security. A large part of what drew me here were the two parts of that mission: not only developing technology but also seeing it fielded and having a tangible impact on the nation’s security.

What is a goal you'd like to accomplish in your lifetime?

I’ve always enjoyed backpacking and would love to complete a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail someday. In the meantime, I’ve enjoyed exploring trails around New England.