Robert Andrews is a Principal Security Consultant, Senior Technical Staff Member (STSM), and Team Lead for the IBM i Security and Authentication Technology Expert Labs team in Rochester, MN. An IBM Certified Thought Leader and The Open Group Distinguished Technical Specialist, Robert has specialized in IT security since 1994, helping organizations worldwide strengthen their security posture.
Widely respected for his deep expertise in IBM i systems, Robert excels at translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights. His engaging and informative speaking style earned him induction into the COMMON Speaker Excellence Hall of Fame. Beyond security, he is an expert in Db2 database management, journaling, and DDM/DRDA communications.
In addition to his technical career at IBM, Robert has dedicated over 18 years to Emergency Management and Communications, contributing at local, state, and federal levels. A prolific author, he has published seven books, numerous trade articles, and holds four U.S. patents. His academic background spans mathematics, computer science, education, and management.
Whether you seek practical guidance on securing your IBM i environment or forward-thinking insights into the future of cybersecurity, Robert Andrews is a must-see speaker.
I have spoken publicly on many occasions and privately even more. Here are some of the larger public events I have presented at:
- COMMON POWERUp 2025, Anaheim, CA, May 2025
- IBM i Security Best Practices
- Moving to a Higher Level: Password Resilience
- Configuring Single Sign on for IBM i
- NEUGC, Boston, April, 2025
- IBM i Security Best Practices (double session)
- Ransomware and IBM i
- Single Sign on Overview
- Anatomy of a Password
- Securing Network Applications with Digital Certificates
- COMMON NAViGATE Toronto 2024, Toronto, ON, Canada, November, 2024
- Intro to IBM i Security
- IBM i Security Best Practices
- Ransomware and IBM i
- Single Sign On (SSO) Overview for IBM i
- IBM i Security Futures at IBM Executive Briefing Center, Rochester, MN, October, 2024
- IBM i Security Futures at Sécurit.i, Montpellier, France/Virtual, September, 2024
- iChime Live and In-Person from COMMON Navigate 2024!, September, 2024
- COMMON NAViGATE Florida 2024, Bonita Springs, FL, September, 2024
- Intro to IBM i Security
- IBM i Security Best Practices – certified COMMON GOLD Medal presentation
- Ransomware and IBM i
- Single Sign On (SSO) Overview for IBM i
- IBM i Security at IBM Innovation Studio, Poughkeepsie, NY, June, 2024
- IBM i Security Ask me Anything at IBM LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2024
- COMMON POWERUp 2024, Fort Worth, TX, May 2024
- Anatomy of a Password
- IBM i Security: What’s new for IBM i 7.4 and 7.5
- Pioneer Parley – Sound Security Advice
- Configuring Single Sign on for IBM i
- Ransomware and IBM i
- WMCPA iCON 2024, Delavan, WI, March 2024
- Advanced Authentication for IBM i
- Ransomware and IBM i
- Securing Network Applications with Digital Certificates
- IBM i Security Best Practices at COMMON FOCUS 2024, Virtual, February 2024
- IBM i Security Ask Me Anything (AMA) at IBM LUG, Rochester, MN, February 2024
- COMMON Navigate 2023, Virginia Beach, VA, October 2023
- Ransomware and IBM i
- Multi-Factor Authentication for IBM i
- Configuring Single Sign on for IBM i – certified COMMON GOLD Medal presentation
- IBM i Security: What’s new for IBM i 7.4 and 7.5
- Securing Network Applications with Digital Certificates
- IBM i Embraces Syslog
- IBM LUG, Rochester, MN, September 2023
- IBM i Security Best Practices
- Ransomware and IBM i
- IBM i SSO Under the Covers
- 7.5 and 7.4 Security Refresher
- Keeping IBM i Bulletproof: Ransomware Defense Tactics at IBM TechXchange 2023, Las Vegas, NV, September 2023
- Security for IBM i across the Hybrid Cloud at IBM Tech Fest 2023, Virtual, June 2023
- SSO and Biometrics at IBM Common America Advisory Council, Rochester, MN, May 2023
- COMMON POWERUp 2023, Denver, CO, April 2023
- Anatomy of a Password – certified COMMON BRONZE Medal presentation
- Configuring Single Sign-On for IBM i
- IBM i Security: What’s new for IBM i 7.4 and 7.5 – certified COMMON GOLD Medal presentation
- Multi-Factor Authentication for IBM i – certified COMMON SILVER Medal presentation
- Ransomware and IBM i – certified COMMON BRONZE Medal presentation
- Securing Network Applications with Digital Certificates
- Anatomy of a Password – certified COMMON BRONZE Medal presentation
- Securing Remote Db2 Access at New Hampshire IBM i User Group, Virtual, March, 2023
- WMCPA iCON 2023, Delavan, WI, March 2023
- Advanced Authentication for IBM i
- Anatomy of a Password
- Securing SSH for IBM i
- Anatomy of a Password at IBM Technical Vitality Council, Rochester, MN, November, 2022
- Anatomy of a Password at COMMON i on Security, St. Louis, MO, October, 2022
- COMMON Navigate 2022, St. Louis, MO, October, 2022
- Best Practices of IBM i Security
- Modern Authentication Methodologies
- The Incredible i Show – Security Week, September 2022
- IBM LUG, Rochester, MN, September, 2022
- Ransomware and IBM i
- Integrating OpenID Connect with IBM i
- PowerSC with IBM i
- P-TECH 535 Cybersecurity Careers Presentation, Rochester, MN, August, 2022
- Newburgh Free Academy P-TECH Cybersecurity Careers Presentation, Virtual, August, 2022
- COMMON POWERUp 2022, New Orleans, LA, May 2022
- Multi-Factor Authentication for IBM i – certified COMMON GOLD Medal presentation
- Best Practices of Security – double session
- Anatomy of a Password
- Multi-Factor Authentication for IBM i – certified COMMON GOLD Medal presentation
- COMMON IBM i Security Bootcamp, Virtual, March 2022
- System-Level Security
- IBM i Auditing
- Experts Panel
- WMCPA iCON 2022, Delavan, WI, March 2022
- Experts Roundtable
- Modern Authentication Methodologies
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks
- IBM i Embraces Syslog
- Fight Cybercrime with Power 10, Virtual, February 2022
- IBM TechU, Virtual, October 2021
- Securing SSH for IBM i
- Protecting your IBM i from Administrative Risks
- COMMON PowerUP, Virtual, October 2021
- Best Practices of Security
- Securing SSH on IBM i
- Anatomy of a Password
- Modern Authentication Methodologies
- COMMON iNSIGHT, Virtual, July 2021
- Best Practices of Security
- Introduction to IBM i Security Remediation
- Security Considerations for Application Developers presented at IBM LUG, Virtual, June 2021
- COMMON NAViGATE, Virtual, May 2021
- Modern Password Policy Theory
- Setting up Multi-Factor Authentication on IBM i
- The Open Door – DDM/DRDA
- Office Hours
- Introduction to IBM i and Security presented at IBM CISO Team, Virtual, May 2021
- Staying Safe from the Storm presented at Rochester Morning Pride Lions Club, Rochester, MN, May 2021
- Modern Authentication Methodologies at Southeast Michigan IBM i Users Group, Virtual, April 2021
- The Incredible i Show – Security Week, April 2021
- IBM Systems Tech U, Virtual, October 2020
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks
- IBM i Embraces Syslog
- COMMON Virtual POWERUp, Virtual, September 2020
- Best Practices of Security on IBM i – Part 1
- Best Practices of Security on IBM i – Part 2
- Security Panel
- IBM i Administrative Security Risks at Southeast Michigan IBM i Users Group, Virtual, June 2020
- IBM LUG, Rochester, MN, February 2020
- Security Best Practices
- Modern Authentication Methodologies
- Securing Remote Db2 Access for IBM i
- Securing Remote Telnet and FTP Access for IBM i
- PowerSC and IBM i
- IBM Technical University, Las Vegas, NV, October 2019
- PowerSC Tools for IBM i
- Modern Authentication Methodologies
- Anatomy of a Password
- IBM i Fast Start: Security
- A Disastrous Year presented at IBM Call for Code, Rochester, MN, May 2019
- IBM Technical University, Hollywood, FL, October 2018
- PowerSC for IBM i
- Modern Authentication Methodologies
- IBM i embraces Syslog
- Anatomy of a Password
- Security Considerations for IBM i Application Development presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, September 2018
- IBM i Embraces Syslog Update! presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2018
- IBM Technical University, Orlando, FL, May 2018
- IBM i Security Best Practices
- IBM i Embraces Syslog
- IBM i Authority Collector
- Anatomy of a Password
- IBM i Embraces Syslog presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, January 2018
- IBM Technical University, New Orleans, LA, October 2017
- What’s New in IBM i Security in V7.1, 7.2 and 7.3
- IBM i Security Best Practices
- IBM i Multi-factor Authentication
- Anatomy of a Password
- Securing Remote Db2 Access presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, September 2017
- Hacking IBM i presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2017
- IBM Technical University, Orlando, FL, May 2017
- Protecting you IBM i from Administrative Risks
- Securing Remote Db2 and FTP Access
- Single Sign-On Overview
- Compliance Assessment and Reporting Tool with Real Time Event Monitoring for IBM i
- Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association User Meeting, Milwaukee, WI, April 2017
- Protecting your IBM i from Administrative Risks
- Anatomy of A Password
- IBM i Two Factor Authentication
- Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association Spring Technical Conference, Delavan, WI, March 2017
- IBM i Security Best Practices
- What’s new in IBM i 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 Security
- Two Factor Authentication on IBM i
- Authority Collection Utility in 7.3
- Single Sign on Overview
- What’s new in IBM i 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 Security presented at QUser, Minneapolis, MN, February 2017
- Staying Safe from the Storm presented at QUser, Minneapolis, MN, February 2017
- IP Packet Filtering Rules presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, January 2017
- Two Factor Authentication and IBM Lab Service Offerings presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, January 2017
- IBM Edge 2016, Las Vegas, NV, September 2016
- IBM i 7.3 Authority Collection: Locking Down Security for Your Sensitive Data Files
- Securing Db2 on IBM i in the Cloud
- Securing Telnet and FTP on IBM i in the Cloud
- What’s New in IBM i 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 Security
- Securing Passwords and Authentication on IBM i in the Cloud
- Security Considerations for Mobile Applications presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, September 2016
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks presented at AgVantage National Conference, Minneapolis, MN, July 2016
- Single Sign On Overview presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2016
- Securing Remote Telnet and FTP presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2016
- Wisconsin Midrange Computer Professional Association Spring Technical Conference, Delavan, WI, March 2016
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks
- Securing Remote Db2 Access
- Anatomy of a Password
- Security Considerations for Mobile Applications
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks co-presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, January 2016
- Securing Remote Db2 Access presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, January 2016
- Security Considerations for Mobile Applications presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, September 2015
- Anatomy of a Password presented at Midrange Support Power Systems Day, Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 2015
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks presented at Midrange Support Power Systems Day, Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 2015
- Anatomy of a Password presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2015
- Securing Remote Db2 Access presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2015
- A Disastrous Year presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, June 2015
- A Disastrous Year presented at Sunrisers Kiwanis, Rochester, MN, May 2015
- IBM Edge, Las Vegas, NV, May 2015
- Protecting Your IBM i from Administrative Risks
- Security Considerations for Mobile Applications
- Securing Remote Db2 Access
- Is Your SAP Data Secure? presented at IBM SAP Summit, Rochester, MN, April 2015
- Staying Safe from the Storm: Weather Basics presented at IBM, Rochester, MN, March 2015
- Securing Remote Db2 Access presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, February 2015
- Security Considerations for Mobile Applications presented at LUG, Rochester, MN, February 2015
- Security considerations and topics presented at the IBM Executive Briefing Center, Rochester, MN, Multiple dates, 2014, 2015
- A Disastrous Year presented at IBM, Rochester, MN, October 2014
- Welcome to COM-Land: An IMAT and Communications Adventure presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, September 2014
- Weather Basics for Emergency Operators presented at FEMA, Washington, DC, April 2014
- Emergency Satellite Communications presented at FEMA, Washington, DC, March 2014
- Emergency Satellite Communications presented at the Emergency Management Institute and National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, March 2014
- Finance and Investing Basics presented at FEMA, Washington, DC, January 2014
- Weather Basics for Emergency Operators presented at DR-4130-MO, Jefferson City, MO, August 2013
- NIMS, ICS, NRF and Bears, Oh My! An Overview presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, March 2013
- IBM Power Systems Technical University, Las Vegas, NV, October 2012
- Db2 for IBM i Database Re-Engineering
- Db2 for IBM i 7.1: What’s New
- Exploring the IBM OmniFind Text Search Server
- Beyond Query/400: Experience Db2 Web Query
- What’s New in Db2 Web Query
- Hands on Db2 Web Query for i Lab
- Omni User GroupDay of Education, Chicago, IL, September 2012
- Introduction to the Query Optimizer and Database Engine
- 7.1: Db2 for IBM i – Hot Off the Grill
- Beyond Query/400 – Introduction to Db2 Web Query for IBM i
- COMMON Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, May 2012
- Db2 day at Washington Area Midrange User Group, Richmond, VA, March 2012
- What’s new in Db2
- Why i for BI?
- Experience Db2 Web Query for i
- Building Db2 Web Query for i
- Expanding Db2 Web Query for i
- Db2 Web Query two day workshop at the TLM, Bogotá, Columbia, February 2012
- IBM Power Systems Technical University, Miami Beach, FL, October 2011
- Db2 for i Advanced SQL
- Db2 for i Stored Procedures
- Introduction to Database Optimization
- Introduction to Database Modernization
- Expanding Db2 Web Query for i
- Hands on Db2 Web Query for i Lab
- DBA Tools Lab
- Volunteer Safari presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, September 2011
- IBM Power Systems Technical Symposium, Sydney, Australia, August 2011
- Introduction to Database Modernization
- Db2 for i Advanced SQL
- Experience Db2 Web Query for i
- Hands on Db2 Web Query for i Lab
- Db2 Web Query full day workshop at the Association of Mid-Range Computer Users, Atlanta, GA, July 2011
- Experience Db2 Web Query presented at Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative Annual Conference, Alexandria, MN, June 2011
- COMMON Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, May 2011
- Experience Db2 Web Query
- Basic Db2 Web Query Lab
- Advanced Db2 Web Query Lab
- IBM Power Systems Technical Symposium, Orlando, FL, April 2011
- Expanding Db2 Web Query
- Hands-on Db2 Web Query
- Db2 for i Advanced SQL
- DBA Tools Lab
- IBM Systems Technical University, Prague, Czech Republic, April 2011
- Experience Db2 Web Query
- Expanding Db2 Web Query
- Hands-on Db2 Web Query
- What’s New in Db2 for i
- DB for i Advanced SQL
- DBA Tools Lab
- Adaptive Query Processing presented at Omni User Group Day of Education, Chicago, IL, October 2010
- SQL Stored Procedures presented at Omni User Group Day of Education, Chicago, IL, October 2010
- IBM Power Systems Technical University, Las Vegas, NV, October 2010
- Getting Started with Db2 Web Query
- What’s New in Db2 Web Query for 2010
- I Didn’t Know I Could Do That with Db2 Web Query
- Turning Data into Information with Db2 Web Query
- Db2 Web Query Basic and Advanced Labs
- Meet the Experts Panel Speaker
- Intro to Db2 Web Query and user workshop at Daffron User Group Meeting, St. Louis, MO, September 2010
- IBM POWER Systems and System Storage Symposium, Melbourne, Australia, August 2010
- What’s new in Db2 7.1
- Business Intelligence Intro using Db2 Web Query
- Advanced features and Administration of Db2 Web Query
- Art and Science of Query Optimization
- IBM POWER Systems and System Storage Symposium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2010
- What’s new in Db2 7.1
- Business Intelligence Intro using Db2 Web Query
- Advanced features and Administration of Db2 Web Query
- Art and Science of Query Optimization
- COMMON Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, May 2010
- Introduction to IBM i Journaling
- Deadly Journal Sins for HA Users to Avoid
- Putting Your Journal on a Diet to Save Space and Overhead
- IBM i Chock Full of New Journal Enhancements
- OPEN LAB: End-to-End Replication Recovery on a Shoestring
- OPEN LAB: Try Out Tools to Analyze Journal Behavior
- OPEN LAB: Dig into High Availability Journal Enablers
- Ask the Experts: High Availability Expert
- Radio merit badge presented at 2010 Gamehaven Council Merit Badge Fair, Rochester, MN, March 2010
- SQL Fundamentals presented at QUSER, Bloomington, MN, February 2010
- Trunked Radio Traffic presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, January 2010
- Intro to Data Warehousing presented at COMMON Belgium, Brussels, Belgium, October 2009
- Intro to Data Warehousing and Intro to Web Query presented at COMMON Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Luxembourg, October 2009
- Db2 6.1 Enhancements presented at COMMON Austria Rochester Day, Vienna, Austria, October 2009
- IBM Server Systems Technical Conference, Mannheim, Germany, October 2009
- IBM i 6.1 Db2 for IBM i Overview
- Getting Started with Db2 Web Query
- The What, Where, and Why about Data Warehousing with IBM i
- Db2 Web Query Open Lab
- Application Modernization: Db2 for IBM i Style
- The Science & The Art of Query Optimization for IBM i
- Advanced Db2 Web Query Functions
- Meet the Developers Panel
- Intro to Db2 Web Query at Daffron User Group Meeting, St. Louis, MO, September 2009
- Intro to Db2 Web Query at IBM Power of i Roadshow, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2009
- Intro to Db2 Web Query at IBM Power of i Roadshow, Indianapolis, IN, June 2009
- IBM Early Career Conference Presenter, one of 20 people selected IBM-wide, June 2009
- Web Query Introduction, Advanced, and Report Broker presented at MiTEC, Detroit, MI, June 2009
- Db2 Web Query Report Broker, Online, April 2009
- MicroTrak AIO and APRS presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, February 2009
- Digital Modes and APRS for Free presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, November 2008
- Web Query Report Broker and SDK presented at FASUG, Danbury, CT, October 2008
- Web Query Report Broker and SDK presented at LISUG, Woodbury, NY, October 2008
- Web Query Report Broker and SDK presented at NESTU, Fairfield, NJ, October 2008
- Web Query Breakout Session at IBM Large User Group, Rochester, MN, October 2008
- Internet Basics presented at RARC, Rochester, MN, September 2008
- Web Query Introduction presented at the IBM Executive Briefing Center, Rochester, MN, Multiple dates 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011
- Web Query Introduction, Advanced, and Tips and Tricks presented at MiTEC, Detroit, MI, June 2008
- Dale Carnegie Course graduate, June 2008
- Selected by peers for the Human Relations Champion award
- Web Query Introduction, Advanced, and Open Lab presented at NEUGC, Boston, MA, April 2008
- Web Query Introduction and Advanced presented at COMMON, Norwalk, CT, February 2008
- Web Query Introduction and Advanced presented at COMMON, Melville, NY, February 2008
- Web Query Introduction and Advanced presented at COMMON, Fairfield, NJ, February 2008
- Internet Basics presentated at AART Rochester, Rochester, MN, October 2007
- Web Query Introduction at IBM Large Users Group, Rochester, MN, June 2007
- COMMON Annual Meeting, Anaheim, CA, May 2007
- Introduction to System i Journaling
- High Availability on a Shoestring
- Tools to Analyze Journal Performance in an HA Environment
- OPEN LAB: Try Out New Journal and Commit Goodies
- OPEN LAB: Try Out Tools to Analyze Journal Behavior