# Richard Proto

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Richard_Proto
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Richard_Proto.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proto
> Source revision: 1307329630
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Richard C. Proto** (February 9, 1940 – July 27, 2008)[1][2] was a noted American [cryptographer](/source/Cryptographer) and former Director of Research and Advanced Technology at the [United States National Security Agency](/source/United_States_National_Security_Agency). He was elected to [NSA Hall of Honor](/source/NSA_Hall_of_Honor) in 2013.

## Early life

Proto was born and Fair Haven section of [New Haven, Connecticut](/source/New_Haven,_Connecticut) and graduated from [Wilbur Cross High School](/source/Wilbur_Cross_High_School) in 1958, where he was a member of 1958 team that won the New England High School basketball championship in the Boston Garden. Proto then received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from [Fairfield University](/source/Fairfield_University) in 1962, and his master's degree in mathematics from [Boston College](/source/Boston_College) in 1964.[3]

## Cryptography career

Proto joined the [United States National Security Agency](/source/United_States_National_Security_Agency) ("NSA") in 1964 as a cryptologic mathematician in the Communications Security Research & Development organization. He then dedicated the next thirty-five years to the NSA where he served in key roles in the research organization and the operational side of [information security](/source/Information_security), he worked in security component design, security system architectures, vulnerability finding, and risk management.[4] Proto eventually served as the NSA Director of Research and Advanced Technology from 1994 to 1999.[4]

Proto is credited with creating the NSA Applied Mathematics Program to train mathematicians to apply their knowledge to a range of problems beyond the traditional cryptologic mission. He also created the Laboratory for Telecommunications Sciences to focus resources on mastering network technology.[4] Proto authored 28 technical papers at NSA and was responsible for the invention of several information security devices, two of which were patented in his name.[5]

## Awards

During his career, Proto received the [Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service](/source/Presidential_Rank_Awards) and the [National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal](/source/National_Intelligence_Distinguished_Service_Medal). In 2009, Proto was recognized by the NSA with the naming of the *Richard C. Proto Symposium Center* within the NSA compound at [Fort George G. Meade](/source/Fort_George_G._Meade) in Maryland. It is only the second time the NSA has formally named one of its facilities.[3] In 2013, Proto was elected to [NSA Hall of Honor](/source/NSA_Hall_of_Honor) in 2013 for distinguished service to American cryptology.[4]

## References

1. ["Richard C Proto"](https://www.fold3.com/record/82832156/social-security-death-index-richard-c-proto). Retrieved December 21, 2020.

1. ["Richard Proto"](https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic-heritage/historical-figures-publications/hall-of-honor/Article/1621556/richard-proto/)

1. ["155 Cong. Rec. E1269 - Tribute To Richard Proto"](https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CREC-2009-06-02/html/CREC-2009-06-02-pt1-PgE1269-4.htm). *Congressional Record*. U.S. Government Publishing Office. Retrieved May 7, 2017.

1. ["NSA Hall of Honor: Richard Proto"](https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic-heritage/historical-figures-publications/hall-of-honor/2013/rproto.shtml). *nsa.gov*. United States National Security Agency. Retrieved May 7, 2017.

1. ["Patents by Inventor Richard C. Proto"](http://patents.justia.com/inventor/richard-c-proto). *patents.justia.com*. Justia Patents. Retrieved May 7, 2017.

## External links

- [NSA Hall of Honor profile](https://www.nsa.gov/about/cryptologic-heritage/historical-figures-publications/hall-of-honor/2013/rproto.shtml)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Richard Proto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proto) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Proto?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.