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Information Technology

Quantum Information Science: A Q&A With NIST's Carl Williams

September 25, 2018

Quantum information science will contribute to one of the next revolutions in computing, but realizing that promise will stretch our scientific understanding

Millions of Rewarding Jobs: Educating for a Career in Cybersecurity

October 9, 2018

Cybersecurity professionals are among the most sought-after workers in the United States, but there is a massive shortage of trained applicants. We spoke with

An Invention in Focus: When Science Gets Real

June 18, 2018

As a research scientist, I often face a difficult problem when discussing my work with family or friends. Everyone seems initially fascinated that I am a

The Next Big Health Care Merger: Biomedical Imaging and Artificial Intelligence

May 22, 2018

Two worlds just collided at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland. On May 16, 2018, experts from the medical

Local Realism, Bell’s Inequality, and T-Shirts: An Entangled Tale

April 30, 2018

For this past Christmas my wife, Rebecca, gave me a T-shirt that says "Quantum mechanics: The dreams stuff is made of." This is an allusion to the book The

A Framework for Protecting Our Critical Infrastructure

November 1, 2017

There’s no disputing the importance of a reliable and well-functioning critical infrastructure when it comes to our daily lives—in fact, our national and

Turning Cybersecurity Awareness into a Cybersecurity Career

October 26, 2017

Immediately after I successfully defended my dissertation for my Ph.D. in educational technology, I began to think about all the benefits that came along with

Riding the Carousel of Progress to Tomorrow’s Internet (of Things)

October 18, 2017

Every few years, my family takes a trip to Walt Disney World. After all, when you live on the East Coast and have two kids, it’s easy to make an excuse to visit

Small-Business Cybersecurity is Twice as Nice as Pumpkin Spice

October 11, 2017

I think we’ve taken this pumpkin spice thing too far. Don’t get me wrong, I love fall. That first crisp evening when you need to put on a sweater, the crunch of

Timothy Zimmerman checking connections in the Cybersecurity for Smart Manufacturing Systems testbed

Ensuring the Cybersecurity of Manufacturing Systems

October 6, 2017

Cybersecurity, at this point in the technological age, has become a household word. Every week, almost like clockwork, it seems there is a story on the news

Easy Ways to Build a Better P@$5w0rd

October 4, 2017

Last year I provided a number of simple steps to lower the risk to your online presence without making your life harder. This year, I'm focusing on making

Why Security and Privacy Matter in a Digital World

September 28, 2017

One cannot pick up a newspaper, watch TV, listen to the radio, or scan the news on the internet without some direct or veiled reference to the lack of

man standing in front of a white board filled with equations. Four other men sit around a table watching.

Quantum Information: Changing the Rules of the Game

August 2, 2017

I was a math researcher at the University of Michigan back in 2008 when I had the crazy—one could even say random—notion to shift from studying pure mathematics

'Cybersecuring' the Internet of Things

June 27, 2017

I recently had the chance to talk with the legendary Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the internet. We had a wide-ranging discussion about the past

Deciphering: The Thrill of a Lifetime

June 9, 2017

When I went to graduate school to pursue my master’s degree 35 years ago, I couldn’t have predicted where my study of mathematics would end up taking me. I

Ideas Whose Time Has Come (and Gone), v. 2017

December 20, 2016

A catchphrase from a popular reality show goes: “One day you're in. And the next day, you're out.” For the purposes of the show, the host is referencing fashion

Ignoring Cybersecurity is Risky Business

November 17, 2016

They say opposites attract. While my husband and I have many important things in common, we are complete opposites in one area. He’s a “risk taker,” and me

Rethinking Cybersecurity from the Inside Out

November 15, 2016

After four years of research and development, NIST has published a groundbreaking new security guideline that addresses the longstanding problem of how to

Sizing Up the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

October 31, 2016

Those of us who work for small businesses regularly perform duties outside our job description. I’ve experienced the “all hands on deck” approach that drives

SoS: Securing Wireless Infusion Pumps in a System of Systems

October 27, 2016

Aristotle once said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Two gears together can accomplish much more than one gear alone. And when you connect

Protecting Businesses and Consumers from Email Scams

October 21, 2016

Like it or not, email is a central component of modern day life. The average person spends 6.3 hours a day checking their messages, and email continues to be

Creating a Smart, Skilled Cybersecurity Workforce

October 12, 2016

Acronyms. The world, and especially the government, is overflowing with them. You’d be hard-pressed to pick a favorite. People might even look at you funny if

Six Small Cybersecurity Steps You Should Take. Today.

October 7, 2016

There’s no cybersecurity silver bullet. Be risk-based. Pick low hanging fruit. We’ve all heard lots of clichés about what it means to—here are some more—be

Revolution by Design: The Materials Genome Initiative

August 17, 2016

The creation of a new material has long been either an accident or a matter of trial and error. Steel, for instance, was developed over hundreds of years by

Building a Firearms Toolmark Database

July 22, 2016

Although they are mass produced, every firearm is unique, and when fired, they leave unique markings called toolmarks on the bullet and cartridge casing. Law

A “Certified” Stamp for the Smart Grid

May 26, 2016

When I go home after work, my wife and I are typically focused on the present moment, especially on our young son. As new parents, we benefit from many

Bringing Clarity to the Cloud

May 16, 2016

Doors that are obviously meant to be pushed not pulled, footprints painted on the floor telling you where to stand at the airport—these are examples of good

Smart Cities: Bringing Tech Benefits Directly to You

March 25, 2016

Earlier this week at NIST, we brought together a diverse group of people who will have a profound influence on the future of our cities and the services

Lady on left and man on right at desks facing lab equipment

The Pioneering Life of Programmer Ethel Marden

March 22, 2016

Over the course of its 100-plus year history, NIST has had some colorful characters who were also pioneers in their fields. For computer scientist Karen Olsen

Ida Rhodes and the Problem with ‘Water Goats’

March 16, 2016

As a professional reference librarian and amateur history buff at NIST, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with all kinds of extraordinary

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About this blog

Taking Measure is the official blog of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

It provides a behind-the-scenes look at NIST’s research and programs, covering a broad range of science and technology areas. Through this blog, NIST’s researchers and staff share why they do what they do and how today’s research will lead to tomorrow’s innovations.

The views presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of NIST.

If you have any questions about our blog or reprint requests, please contact us at takingmeasure [at] nist.gov (takingmeasure[at]nist[dot]gov).

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