How Tragedy and 9/11 Shaped a National Security Career | Todd Rosenthal

Todd Rosenthal never planned on attending Fairleigh Dickinson University — until a chance visit to the Florham campus changed everything.In this episode of FDU Coming Home, Todd shares the unexpected journey that led him to FDU and the defining moments that shaped both his education and his career. During his freshman year, a tragedy on campus claimed the life of a close friend — a moment that deeply affected Todd and ultimately led him to be called to active duty and reconsider the direction of his life.That experience, combined with the national impact of September 11 attacks, helped shape Todd’s commitment to security, preparedness, and public service. He later returned to FDU to earn his master’s degree, further strengthening the foundation for a career dedicated to protecting others.Today, Todd serves as the Security Awareness Training and Education Program Lead for Science Applications International Corporation, where he develops training programs focused on critical incident response, cybersecurity awareness, social engineering, and protecting digital footprints. Over the course of his career, he has worked with federal agencies, the intelligence community, all branches of the U.S. military, and some of the nation’s largest government contractors.Todd began his security career with the United States Secret Service and has become a nationally recognized trainer and speaker on topics including active violence response, insider threats, and security awareness.His contributions to industrial security were recognized in 2020 when his program received the prestigious James S. Cogswell Award from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.In this conversation, Todd reflects on the moments that shape our lives, the people who influence our paths, and how education and experience can lead to a career dedicated to service and security.