Spafford featured on cover of Communications of the ACM for the second time
08-28-2025
Eugene H. Spafford, Distinguished Professor of Computer Science at Purdue University
Distinguished Professor of Computer Science Eugene H. Spafford, a leading authority in cybersecurity and information assurance, once again has his work featured on the cover of Communications of the ACM, the flagship publication of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
The cover article is titled “Grand Challenges in Trustworthy Computing at 20: A Retrospective Look at the Second CRA Grand Challenges Conference.” Co-authored with Richard A. DeMillo, the piece reflects on the landmark Computing Research Association conference and report in 2003 that set an ambitious agenda for the future of cybersecurity. While many of the original goals remain unmet, the article highlights the progress made, lessons learned, and the evolving challenges that continue to shape trustworthy computing today.
This marks the second time Spafford’s work has been highlighted on the magazine’s cover. His first feature appeared in June 1989, making this recognition a rare honor that underscores his decades-long impact on the field of computing and security research. Widely recognized as a pioneer in cybersecurity education, policy, and practice, Spafford’s contributions continue to shape the discipline and guide global conversations on digital trust and resilience.
Communications of the ACM is distributed to over 100,000 members worldwide, making it one of the most influential publications in computer science.
About the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University
Founded in 1962, the Department of Computer Science was created to be an innovative base of knowledge in the emerging field of computing as the first degree-awarding program in the United States. The department continues to advance the computer science industry through research. U.S. News & World Report ranks the department No. 8 in computer engineering and No. 16 overall in undergraduate and graduate computer science. Additionally, the program is ranked No. 6 in cybersecurity, No. 8 in software engineering, No. 13 in systems, No. 15 in programming languages and data analytics, and No. 18 in theory. Graduates of the program are able to solve complex and challenging problems in many fields. Our consistent success in an ever-changing landscape is reflected in the record undergraduate enrollment, increased faculty hiring, innovative research projects, and the creation of new academic programs. The increasing centrality of computer science in society, academic disciplines and new research activities — centered around foundations and applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as natural language processing, human computer interaction, vision, and robotics, as well as systems and security — are the future focus of the department. Learn more at cs.purdue.edu.