Professor Nichols is internationally respected, with 50 years of experience in leadership roles in cryptography, counterintelligence, INFOSEC, sensitive computer applications. He is recognized by the USDOJ as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in both Cryptography and Computer Forensics. Professor Nichols research and textbooks on offensive / defensive cyber countermeasures applied to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (especially SWARMS) has brought his work to international attention.