DISRUPTOR Pushing the boundaries of innovation and inclusivity in cybersecurity by SCOTT CASON photography by HUWA PHOTOGRAPHY
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rom attacks on oil pipelines to annoying robocalls attempting to gain access to your personal information, cyberattacks are a constant threat to individual citizens, corporations, power grids, water supplies, and even national security. Criminals and foreign states seek access to data that they can exploit, and often they succeed because proper precautions have not been taken. Poor password choices like “123456” or the all-too-frequent use of “password” often allow hackers easy victories. It may seem like the criminals have all the advantages in this fight, but one Tiger alum believes the good guys will win, and he is on a mission to turn the tide against cyber-attacks. Dallas Haselhorst was born in Hays. He grew up with four sisters, a brother, and a big extended western Kansas family. As early as he can remember, Dallas has been fascinated by what computers could do and how they work. “I got pretty good at breaking and then fixing computers,” Haselhorst said.
This curiosity was first fueled by his dad, who began tinkering with personal computers back when they were still a novelty. In middle school, Dallas discovered he could download games from a version of what would ultimately become the Internet. And, using early bulletin board systems, he quickly ran up a bill of more than $400 in games. Despite getting into trouble with his father, this experience opened his eyes to the power of what would become the worldwide web. It wasn’t until he attended Fort Hays State University that Dallas realized he could turn his fascination with computers into a job. Dallas began his college career as a political science major. When he discovered he could turn his passion for computers into a campus job, he changed to a dual major — information networking and telecommunication and computer information systems. He still found political science fascinating, so he kept it as his minor. “I learned a lot in my poly sci courses at FHSU that help me as ROAR
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an entrepreneur and small business owner today,” Haselhorst said. “The understanding of public policy and the interpersonal skills I use every day as a negotiator come from my poly sci background.” At first glance, Haselhorst may seem an unlikely cyberwarrior. While much of the cybersecurity struggle is conducted in carefully guarded laboratories and top-secret military facilities, Haselhorst believes the path to defeating cyberattacks is through
SPRING/SUMMER 2021
