The current COVID-19 crisis has created a series of “new normals.” One resultant effect of the crisis is more working from home ... a trend that will likely continue for much of the rest of the year. With that trend comes more reliance on technology and more time online, for individuals, small businesses, and large corporations. With that comes an increase in hacking and cyberattacks. Three Rensselaer graduates are working together on the frontlines of that cyber battlefront. Josh O’Sullivan and Ray Mendenilla both graduated in 2001. Jessica Lawrence graduated in 2002.

Josh cofounded the Annapolis-based cybersecurity and digital transformation company Ardalyst. Ray is the senior vice president for sales and marketing. Jessica is the lead analyst. As a report from the World Economic Forum says, “It is imperative that leaders strategically manage information risks, work toward a culture of shared cyber-risk ownership across organizations, and take a strategic approach to cyber resilience.”

The three Rensselaer graduates are taking the friendship they formed in school while in the Navy ROTC program — utilizing the experience they received while serving their country in the Navy — and educating people about cyber risk, and helping companies locally and nationally to withstand the current cyber threats in the world.

JOHN SCHOFIELD, Washington, D.C.