Charles Green ’93: Computer Information Science Forged in Curiosity, Fueled by Innovation
Charles Green’s path to becoming a trailblazing force in cybersecurity began with curiosity, adversity, and a PC Jr. in his grandmother’s living room. A 1993 graduate of SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), Green is now a founder and CEO of Assured Information Security (AIS), a company that provides critical cyber and information security services, products, and operations to commercial and government customers, including the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community.
Green’s fascination with computing took root in middle school, fueled by his time on that PC Jr. and a stack of “teach yourself” programming books. “I remember just sitting down with this thing and plowing through all these programs,” he recalls. “They were basic, but I loved it.”
After initially attending Jefferson Community College, Green transferred to SUNY Poly—a natural next step in his educational journey. It provided a collaborative environment where students and faculty pushed boundaries together. He worked closely with computer science professors Ray Jeasistis and Scott Spetka to develop new courses in Unix, programming, and web technologies.
“We started developing new curriculum on the fly to keep pace with where the industry was rapidly heading,” he says. “It wasn’t just the students driving the momentum – Ray and Scott were committed to building the future with us.” Despite his early skepticism about the web, Green credits Spetka and others for steering him in the right direction. “They told me, ‘No, this is the future.’ And wow, were they right.”
Green fondly recalls his early involvement in DogNet, a student-run computer network where people could experiment, build, and mess around with new technology. One pivotal moment came when his professors invited him to attend USENIX, a prestigious industry conference that brought together top minds in computing and cybersecurity.
“I actually had tickets to see Pink Floyd on what ended up being their last tour,” Green says. “But I sold them to go to USENIX instead, and I’m so glad I did. That experience opened doors I didn’t even know existed and really helped shape my future.”
Launching a Cybersecurity Career
Upon graduation, Green began looking for jobs in the newspaper. While he had offers from multiple companies, Spetka had submitted his resume to a lesser-known organization focused on government R&D work.
“The job was fascinating,” said Green. “It had a cybersecurity slant, it was R&D focused, and they told me I could propose my own projects. That was it—I was in.”
The opportunity would change his life as that role led him to the Air Force Rome Lab, where he became one of the first members of their Information Warfare Team, working on exciting DoD projects that he hopes he’ll be able to talk about someday.
As companies he worked for were acquired and reorganized, Green and a few colleagues began developing a small side project to support local businesses and banks. Upper management discovered it and gave him an ultimatum: stay or go.
“They said, ‘If you think this cybersecurity thing is real, we dare you to do it yourself.’ So, I did and off we went.”
Green’s side project became AIS. Over time, the company grew into a national leader in cybersecurity research and defense.
What he’s most proud of isn’t just the scale of AIS, but its adaptability: “You have to evolve. What worked when we had 25 people doesn’t work when you have 100 or 200. We’ve been able to pivot and grow and still stay true to who we are.”
Lifelong Connection to SUNY Poly
Green remains deeply involved with his alma mater. Over the years, AIS has sponsored youth drone camps, supported SUNY Poly’s strategic planning efforts, and most notably, formalized a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) this past spring to deepen the partnership between the two organizations.
“There are really two organizations that, had they not existed, AIS wouldn’t exist,” Green says. “SUNY Poly, for giving me a place to explore and evolve. And Rome Lab, for giving me a seat at the table in cybersecurity before it even had a name.”
For Green, giving back is part of that legacy.
“If our collaboration with SUNY Poly leads to someone coming to work for AIS, then great. But if these opportunities give a student the foundation to start a company that overshadows us someday—that would be amazing too.”
He also emphasizes the importance of SUNY Poly’s role in the community:
“A rising tide lifts all ships. The more the institution is tied into the community, the more opportunities it creates for everyone.”
That sense of purpose fuels his passion for preparing the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs.
“You can bring in big companies, and they’ll invest here. But if you help a local student build a company, they’ll invest in the community for life. That’s the real game-changer.”
