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Students
Rooted in History, Wired for the Future
When Steven Schiavone ŮٱƵ26 cracked his dadŮٱƵs laptop password in seventh grade, he wasnŮٱƵt trying to launch a cybersecurity careerŮٱƵhe just wanted to play a video game. ŮٱƵAnytime I wanted to download a new game, I needed his permission because I didnŮٱƵt have administrator access,ŮٱƵ he says. With help from his best friend, he cracked the password and got in.
ŮٱƵI proudly showed my dadŮٱƵwho happened to be a Senior Vice President of Global Technology at Bank of America.ŮٱƵ
This pride was the start of StevenŮٱƵs fervent passion for cybersecurity. HeŮٱƵs three years into his BS in Information Technology, a CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service scholarship recipient, the incoming president of the , and a student manager in the Digital Forensics Lab at PaceŮٱƵs New York City Campus.
Companies and individuals donŮٱƵt have a choice about cybersecurity anymore.
Steven takes cybersecurity seriously because, according to him, it affects us all. ŮٱƵIt's 2025. Companies and individuals donŮٱƵt have a choice about cybersecurity anymore,ŮٱƵ he says. In a world where our most sensitive informationŮٱƵbanking details, medical histories, even genetic dataŮٱƵis stored online, cybersecurity affects everyone. ŮٱƵWhether or not you have ever touched a keyboard, the security of your data affects your livelihood.ŮٱƵ
StevenŮٱƵs dedication to cybersecurity is rooted in serviceŮٱƵespecially to his fellow cybersecurity peers. As the team captain for the Cybersecurity ClubŮٱƵs competitive Collegiate Cyber Defense Team, he created a 120-page contingency guide to help his teammates prepare for the competition against professional hackers for the U.S. government. But that dedication goes beyond school, as he prepares to bring that mindset to government service. Recipients of the CyberCorps® scholarship are expected to work for a federal, state, or local government for a time equal to their amount of aid. ŮٱƵThis opportunity recognizes a dream of mine,ŮٱƵ says Steven. ŮٱƵI want to keep these critical systems secure. I want to keep soldiers secure. I want to protect our nationŮٱƵs infrastructure from hackers that are taking down hospitals and gas pipelines.ŮٱƵ
While his cybersecurity work is focused on defending the systems of tomorrow, Steven also works to preserve the past. Steven volunteers close to home at in Wall, New Jersey, where he maintains and demos one of the first ever digital computers fielded by the Navy. ŮٱƵI run a 1969 naval firing computer called the UNIVAC 1219,ŮٱƵ he explains. ŮٱƵThese half-ton gray behemoths of computing were installed on United States naval ships for managing their Terrier, Talos, and Tartar missile systems.ŮٱƵ
Even his decision to come to Pace is at least partially rooted in an appreciation of the past. Not only is his mother a Pace alumna of the Class of ŮٱƵ96, but both of his parents worked in New YorkŮٱƵs Financial District, and his father worked in the World Financial Center during the ŮٱƵ90s and early 2000s. ŮٱƵThree of my four grandparents came through Ellis Island, and all put down roots here,ŮٱƵ he says. ŮٱƵWe're in the capital of the world. Culturally, diplomatically, financially, you name it. Everything happens here.ŮٱƵ
But beyond an amazing location, Pace also offered the expertise he was seeking. ŮٱƵI talked to people in the Cybersecurity Club and they all seemed very knowledgeable and qualified.ŮٱƵ The faculty also serve as a great inspiration to him. ŮٱƵI have these professors who do incredibly meaningful workŮٱƵProfessor Joe Acampora is probably one of the smartest minds in cybersecurity, and Pace is so lucky to have him,ŮٱƵ he says. ŮٱƵAnd Dr. Darren Hayes, my direct supervisor in the Digital Forensics Lab and Director of Cybersecurity, is incredibly intelligent and well networked.ŮٱƵ
I have these professors who do incredibly meaningful work.
From cracking his dadŮٱƵs password at age twelve and running a Cold War naval computer, to leading his teams to victory in cybersecurity competitions, Steven SchiavoneŮٱƵs passion is grounded in history and powered by his sense of duty. Our digital future is in safe hands.
Read more about cybersecurity at Pace or .
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