Jabbour retires from Air Force Research Lab in Rome

ROME, N.Y. — The Air Force Research Laboratory Rome Information Directorate’s (AFRL/RI) senior scientist for information security has retired after more than 20 years at the organization.

Kamal T. Jabbour stepped down, effective June 1. He had served as a member of the scientific and technical cadre of senior executives for the past two decades.

Jabbour served as the principal scientific authority and independent researcher in the field of information assurance, including defensive information warfare and offensive information warfare technology. He was instrumental in monitoring and guiding the quality of scientific and technical resources and providing expert technical consultation to other Air Force organizations, the Department of Defense, government agencies, universities, and industry, per the AFRL/RI.

“[Jabbour] not only has years of outstanding service to our country and the local Central New York community, but has provided strategic leadership through the years to scores of personnel at AFRL and has continued to provide valuable counsel to the highest levels of government,” Fred Garcia, AFRL/RI commander, said in a news release. “I want to publicly thank [him] for his service and dedication to our country. He is one of a kind and has innovated cybersecurity in a way nobody else has, which is a huge win for our national security. His legacy will live on in his cadre of protégés.”

AFRL/RI Deputy Director Michal Hayduk added his thoughts. “Those of us who know Kamal personally admire him for his scientific achievements and his lifelong commitment to the Air Force core values of integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do,” Hayduk said. “I wish Kamal well and am confident the community will continue to benefit from his valued leadership and technical contributions.”

Jabbour began his professional career as part of the computer-engineering faculty at Syracuse University, where he taught and conducted research for two decades and served a three-year term as department chair. In 1999, he joined the Cyber Operations Branch at AFRL through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. Jabbour contributed to building the Offensive Cyber Operations Program at AFRL before assuming his most recent position. His research focuses on building cybercraft that shapes cyberspace as the domain for the new revolution in military affairs.

In response to President George W. Bush’s National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, Jabbour created the Advanced Course in Engineering (ACE) in 2003 to develop the best ROTC cadets into future cybersecurity leaders. The ACE combines advanced academic training, hands-on internships, officer development, and weekly eight-mile runs into a challenging cybersecurity boot camp. The ACE received designation of a special-interest item for its role in developing officers for the new Air Force Cyberspace Command.

Jabbour holds one U.S. patent, has published more than 60 papers in refereed journals and conference proceedings, and penned 317 articles on running. He also supervised 21 theses and dissertations. He is an avid distance runner who has participated in marathons in all 50 states. 

In his retirement, Jabbour plans to spend more time with his wife, two dogs, four telescopes, and seven grandchildren. He hopes to grow his subscriber base for his astronomy channel at youtube.com/RoosterInnObservatory.

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force and plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for air, space, and cyberspace forces. AFRL has more than 11,500 employees at 40 sites around the globe, including Rome.