B.A., Computer Technology, 2015

Erica Nicole Tinsley holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Technology from California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), where she studied cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities and identified countermeasures to critical issues in her research on Money Laundering in Virtual Worlds and Wireless Hacking of Implantable Medical Devices. In addition to Erica’s passion for cybersecurity and technology, she has also successfully completed a minor in Labor Studies and core coursework in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding at CSUDH and was commended on her strong negotiation and mediation skills.  Erica received her Master of Science in Law with a specialization in Cyber Security and Data Privacy with honors from Loyola Law School Los Angeles. The programs unique curriculum combined relevant law with a detailed analysis of current and approaching Cybersecurity, Intellectual Property and Data Privacy threats taught by industry leaders including federal Cyber Prosecutors and Practitioners from the Intelligence community, resulting in Erica’s ability to contribute a specialized level of knowledge as a Cyber professional in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

Erica joined Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in May 2017 as a Cyber Security Specialist. Her responsibilities include ensuring classified information systems are in compliance with federal government regulations as well as the implementation of cybersecurity requirements mandated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Before joining Raytheon, Erica was a Computing Specialist at the Aerospace Corporation where she supported the Information Technology infrastructure and made significant contributions to various projects that included securing data on corporate mobile devices and the quality assurance of the Virtual Private Network. She was recently promoted to Senior Systems Engineer at Raytheon.

Erica is the recipient of multiple Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) honors and scholarships. Among them are the STEM Advantage Scholarship, Women in Technology Scholarship and Department of Homeland Security Research Scholarship. Erica serves as the Executive Director of PROWESS (Partnership of Women Excelling as Scientist and Scholars), a group committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of female STEM and Cybersecurity professionals. Erica is committed to leading and encouraging K-12 girls and underrepresented minorities in hopes of closing the gender gap and diversifying the STEM and Cyber workforce.