Randy Marchany
Randy Marchany has been involved in the computer industry since 1972. He is currently the Virginia Tech Information Technology Security Officer and the Director of the Virginia Tech IT Security Lab.
Start in IT
Randy came to Virginia Tech to study chemical engineering. However when he found out his dormmates were making over $2 more an hour at their jobs than he was, he switched majors.
First job at the computing center
In 1975, Randy took a break from his studies to work in the computing center at Virginia Tech.
People of the computing center
Those involved in the early days of the computing center later became legends of IT at Virginia Tech.
Rent-a-computer
Vinod Chachra had an idea for the computing center - let's rent computers and programmers to help faculty with research.
Why have you stayed here so long?
Randy shares what makes Virginia Tech an exciting place to work for an IT professional.
Teaching
Virginia Tech was one of the first universities to offer cybersecurity courses, and Randy was one of the first instructors.
Virginia Tech on the leading edge
Other universities at the time designed their computer networks for computer science and engineering departments. But Virginia Tech designed its networks for the entire university.
Community-oriented computing
George and Anne Gorsline took care of their computer science students and in turn, taught the students to pay it forward.
Creation of the vice president for information technology position
Virginia Tech was one of the first universities to add the role of vice president for information technology as a direct report to the president of the university.
Starting in cybersecurity
A hack and an offer to speak at a conference led Randy into the world of cybersecurity.
Changes in cybersecurity
Cybersecurity has changed from focusing on the device to focusing on the data.
Gender gaps in computing
In the early years, the computer science department at Virginia Tech was 40 to 45 percent women. Now it is slowly getting back to those numbers.
How our university website became vt.edu
Sometimes it is best to just keep it simple.
Biggest achievements
Randy talks about the many achievements in cybersecurity at Virginia Tech.
Hitting the sea
"Your careers in life are like the river. They're they're going to go all over the place, but eventually they're going to hit the sea." This piece of advice from Randy's dad is reflected in Virginia Tech's journey as a leader in information technology over the last 40 years.