# Simson Garfinkel

> American academic and journalist

**Wikidata**: [Q7521264](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7521264)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simson_Garfinkel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/simson-garfinkel

## Summary
Simson Garfinkel is an American computer scientist and journalist known for his contributions to digital forensics and computer security. He is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and has authored influential books on Unix and digital forensics.

## Biography
- Born: July 12, 1965
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
- Known for: Digital forensics, computer security, Unix systems
- Employer(s): National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Naval Postgraduate School, Harvard University, United States Census Bureau
- Field(s): Computer science, digital forensics, computer security

## Contributions
Simson Garfinkel has made significant contributions to digital forensics and computer security through both research and writing. He co-authored "The Unix-Haters Handbook" (1994), a landmark critique of Unix systems that became influential in the computing community. Garfinkel developed bulk_extractor, an open-source digital forensics tool for extracting features from digital media. His work at NIST focuses on privacy and security in statistical databases, particularly for the Census Bureau. He has published extensively on digital forensics, including the book "Digital Forensics with Open Source Tools" (2011). Garfinkel's research has helped establish standards and best practices in digital forensics, and his tools are widely used in law enforcement and academic settings.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Simson Garfinkel known for?
A: Simson Garfinkel is known for his work in digital forensics, computer security, and as the author of "The Unix-Haters Handbook." He's also recognized for developing the bulk_extractor forensics tool.

### Q: Where does Simson Garfinkel work?
A: Simson Garfinkel works at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and has also been affiliated with the Naval Postgraduate School, Harvard University, and the United States Census Bureau.

### Q: What awards has Simson Garfinkel received?
A: Simson Garfinkel was named an ACM Fellow in 2012 for his contributions to digital forensics and computer security education. He was also elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2021.

## Why They Matter
Simson Garfinkel's work has fundamentally shaped the field of digital forensics and computer security. His development of bulk_extractor provided law enforcement and researchers with a powerful, open-source tool for analyzing digital evidence. His research at NIST has helped establish privacy-preserving techniques for statistical databases, which is crucial for maintaining public trust in government data collection. Garfinkel's writings, particularly "The Unix-Haters Handbook," have influenced how technologists think about system design and usability. His academic contributions have trained multiple generations of computer scientists in security and forensics principles. Without his work, the field of digital forensics would lack many of the standardized tools and methodologies that are now considered essential for investigating cybercrimes and analyzing digital evidence.

## Notable For
- Co-author of "The Unix-Haters Handbook" (1994), a seminal critique of Unix systems
- Developer of bulk_extractor, a widely-used open-source digital forensics tool
- ACM Fellow (2012) for contributions to digital forensics and computer security education
- Author of multiple influential books on digital forensics and computer security
- Research on privacy-preserving techniques for statistical databases at NIST

## Body
### Academic Background
Simson Garfinkel earned his Ph.D. from MIT, where he studied under David D. Clark and Robert C. Miller. His doctoral work focused on digital forensics and computer security, establishing a foundation for his later research contributions.

### Professional Career
Garfinkel has held positions at several prestigious institutions. At NIST, he works on privacy and security in statistical databases, particularly for the Census Bureau. His work at the Naval Postgraduate School involved teaching and research in computer security. At Harvard University, he contributed to research on digital forensics and privacy.

### Publications and Research
Beyond "The Unix-Haters Handbook," Garfinkel has authored numerous books including "Database Nation: The Death of Privacy in the 21st Century" and "Digital Forensics with Open Source Tools." His research papers have been published in top computer science conferences and journals, covering topics from file carving to privacy-preserving data analysis.

### Open Source Contributions
The bulk_extractor tool, developed by Garfinkel, has become a standard tool in digital forensics. It can extract email addresses, credit card numbers, URLs, and other features from digital media, making it invaluable for law enforcement and digital investigations.

### Industry Impact
Garfinkel's work has influenced both academic research and practical applications in computer security. His tools and methodologies are used by law enforcement agencies, corporate security teams, and academic researchers worldwide. His writings have shaped how both professionals and the public understand issues of privacy and security in the digital age.

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## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://www.nist.gov/people/simson-garfinkel)
4. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-1294-2831/employment/18504264)
5. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-1294-2831/employment/3900850)
6. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2012/december/acm-fellows-named-for-computing-innovations-that-advance-technologies-in-information-age)
7. [Simson L Garfinkel PhD](https://awards.acm.org/award_winners/garfinkel_2595445#158)
8. [Mathematics Genealogy Project](http://www.genealogy.ams.org/id.php?id=103745)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. SNAC
12. [ORCID Public Data File 2020](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0_rc1/0000-0003-1294-2831/external-identifiers/74869)
13. Goodreads
14. [Source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:EntityPage/M17900842)
15. LIBRIS. 2002
16. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File