Bill Green is tasked with safeguarding the data of nearly 10,000 digitally savvy young adults, who might often be overly trusting about what they click. His job is a relentless battle against hackers, phishing scams, and AI-driven cyberattacks that constantly evolve.
Green, a Cape Girardeau native and SEMO alumnus, has had a diverse career path that eventually led him back home. After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees at SEMO, he moved to Southern California in the early 1990s, working in fields as varied as history education, archaeology, and finally IT. It was a security breach in Riverside County in 2000 that set him on the path to cybersecurity.
"All the county’s websites were defaced by a government-backed hacking group upset about political events at the time. I became fascinated with how the threat actors managed to access the servers and change the websites," Green said. "After that, I knew my calling was cybersecurity."
Now SEMO’s Information Security Officer, Green faces a constant and ever-changing digital threat landscape. Green's responsibilities range from monitoring security alerts to investigating potential breaches and ensuring SEMO complies with federal and state regulations. His work is both proactive and reactive—he must anticipate potential vulnerabilities while responding swiftly when attacks occur.
"One of the biggest challenges in higher education cybersecurity is that threats are always happening and constantly evolving," said Bill Green, SEMO’s Information Security Officer. "AI-driven cyber threats, phishing emails, and ransomware attacks continue to be significant risks, requiring constant vigilance and adaptation."
Beyond defending SEMO’s digital infrastructure, Green plays a key role in the operations of the Charles Stamp Cyber Command Center in collaboration with IBM that opened in Dempster Hall in October 2024. He has been actively involved in configuring the center’s systems while also leveraging his two decades of cybersecurity experience to shape the curriculum. SEMO holds the statewide designation for computer science and cybersecurity education. It has also received recognition from the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
"The Stamp Cyber Command Center allows students and business partners to experience real-world cybersecurity challenges," Green said. "With my background spanning everything from Security Operations Center analysis to governance and compliance, I can help ensure the training reflects the latest industry needs. The nature of cybersecurity means there's always something new to incorporate, and it is exciting to think about. I am always looking for ways to incorporate what I see day-to-day into the curriculum at the Stamp Cyber Command Center."
To safeguard SEMO’s network, Green and the rest of SEMO IT employ a multi-layered approach. Tools like Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, endpoint detection software, and the Admin By Request tool allow the team to detect and neutralize threats before they cause damage. But technology alone isn’t enough.
"IT can employ tools and protections to guard our data, but students, faculty and staff play a vital role in campus cybersecurity by staying alert and reporting suspicious emails or activity,” Green said.
Despite the University’s strong security measures, Green acknowledges that no system is completely immune to cyberattacks.
"There is an old adage that many don’t like but is, unfortunately, true: ‘It is not if you will be breached, but when.’ A person or an institution can do everything right and still have a security incident or a data breach," he said. "Understanding there will always be a risk is a bitter pill for any security professional because we tend to take things like account compromises or data loss personally."
To strengthen campus-wide awareness, SEMO IT provides annual cybersecurity training for faculty and staff, while students receive ongoing security updates and alerts through the University’s IT portal. His mission extends beyond defense—he also works to build a culture of cybersecurity mindfulness across the SEMO community.
Green wants students to take ownership of their digital security.
"If I could stop each student on campus and explain security to them, I would stress three key things: Use a password manager to create unique passwords for every site, be suspicious of urgent emails or texts that demand immediate action and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) for everything, not just SEMO resources," he said.
After years in California, Green returned to Cape Girardeau in search of a different pace of life and the opportunity to shape SEMO’s cybersecurity efforts.
"The position was relatively new, and I was excited at the prospect of creating an Information Security program and watching it mature; honestly, that is probably every security professional’s dream, and I remain excited about it every day," he said. "The job of an Information Security Officer is never dull. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and staying ahead requires both vigilance and adaptability. Every day brings new challenges, but protecting the University’s data and ensuring a secure digital environment makes the work incredibly rewarding."
From defending its own network to preparing students for cybersecurity careers, SEMO strives to stand at the forefront of digital security. February serves as a timely reminder of the importance of online safety with events like Change Your Password Day, Safer Internet Day, and Clean Out Your Computer Day, encouraging everyone to take proactive steps in protecting their digital presence.
To learn about becoming a cybersecurity expert like Bill Green, visit semo.edu/computer-science.