UCF’s information technology teams must continuously maintain and improve our cybersecurity capabilities with the most up-to-date technologies and experienced personnel to cope with the ever-increasing threats from criminal enterprises and nation-state actors against the University of Central Florida, our students, staff and faculty.

Keeping with this commitment, UCF’s deputy chief of police, David Zambri ’92 ’95MPA has been appointed as associate vice president and chief information security officer.

“The deputy chief’s FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force background, his access to the FBI’s network as a National Academy graduate, and his relationships with agencies like the Central Florida Intelligence Exchange and the U.S. Secret Service will enhance UCF’s ties with these critical law enforcement and national security agencies. I am thrilled he agreed to take on the role,” says Matthew Hall, UCF’s vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer.

Zambri, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in public administration from UCF, is already familiar with the university’s information technology deployment. He started his law enforcement career at UCF nearly three decades ago. With 14 years in senior leadership roles, he most recently served as the deputy chief of the UCF Police Department where he oversaw law enforcement information technology and criminal justice information systems.

“When I think of this (new) position, it really is a component of what I’ve done throughout my career,” Zambri says. “It’s keeping the community safe. It’s a shift from traditional crime prevention, law enforcement, and public safety to the cyber landscape. It’s serving the UCF community — keeping it safe from cybercriminals or nation-state actors who can cause immeasurable damage to our institution.

“My top priority is to build a network of support between UCF Information security and its law enforcement partners, the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and others to ensure that we have the best prevention and response to cyberattacks.”

The FBI National Academy admission for Zambri was a life-changing experience. This exclusive program for senior leaders in law enforcement is a coveted professional development experience for both U.S. and international law enforcement participants. The nationally nominated participants have referred to it as “to law enforcement as to what West Point is to the military.”

IT @ UCF would like to thank former chief information security officer Chris Vakhordjian for his 20 years of dedication to the university and to IT. Under his leadership, he led the IT Security division, peers, students, staff and faculty to a greater understanding and appreciation of security. His contributions have left a positive impression on the success of IT @ UCF and the university as a whole.