Cybersecurity Trends in SEC Filings

About the Project:

Corporations file several documents a year with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to report their financial statements and other formal reports due to the U.S. Government. In recent years, the SEC has changed its reporting requirements to include material cybersecurity incidents. In other words, corporations are now required to document when they have suffered cybersecurity breaches that have or may adversely affect stockholders and investors. This big data project collects these filings and analyzes the details of the reports to learn about cybersecurity trends in business over the past few years.

Please note this research project involves applied mathematics and programming in Python, R, and Linux.

Professor Lombardi maintains an active research program focused on the application of information systems, technology and data in many fields. Prior to joining Eckerd College, Professor Lombardi taught information systems and technology at University of the Virgin Islands and served as IT Manager and Software Developer at OrangeWave Innovative Science, LLC. Most recently, his academic and professional work addressed the information systems required to support the Virgin Islands Robotic Telescope at Etelman Observatory in the U.S. Virgin Islands. His past research includes studies in digital humanities, bioinformatics, and network science. Currently, he is investigating the role of trade secrets in small business development.

The First-Year Research Associate Program at Eckerd College honors academically outstanding students with awards of up to $1,000. The program also provides the opportunity, during the freshman year, for the award winners to work closely with a sponsor (faculty or administrative personnel) on a project of mutual interest. Associates might assist with research for faculty publication or new courses, conduct scientific experiments, work with creative artists, or develop projects related to any phase of the academic, cultural, and social life of the college. Scholars are selected on the basis of achievement in high school and on the creativity and depth of responses to items on this application.

Online submission due no later than February 2, 2026.

Student Information

First Name

Preferred Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Birthdate

Email Address

Mailing Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Intended college major(s):

Possible intended career:

Name of high school:

Reference / Letter of Recommendation

A letter of recommendation is required for your First-Year Research Associateship (FRA) application. Please make sure letters of recommendation include the contact information of the writer. Letters of recommendation for the FRA can be uploaded with this application, emailed to admissions@eckerd.edu, or submitted via mail to the address below:

Eckerd College
Office of Admission
4200 54th Ave S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33711

Would you like to use the letter recommendation provided with your application to Eckerd College for your FRA application?

Yes

If you already have a reference or letter of recommendation (.doc, or .pdf only), upload here:

Academic Performance

Unweighted GPA (4.0 max):

Class rank ______ of _____ (if applicable)

Did you apply test-optional?

Yes

Please list your SAT and/or ACT scores.

SAT Score (Critical Reading, Math, Writing)

ACT Score (Composite: Math, Science, Reading, English)

Personal Responses

For the following questions, please include detailed descriptions and/or examples in paragraph form.

Honors

Please list any significant academic honors accomplishments you have received while in high school (academic excellence awards, special recognition of any kind, etc.). Please do not list athletic awards or participation. Where appropriate, provide a brief description. If none, write N/A.

Activities

Describe any academic extracurricular activities you have participated in. Examples include: volunteer research, academic competitions, academic summer camps, volunteer work, etc. If none, write in N/A.

Short Answer

In one paragraph, describe why you would like to participate in this project for Eckerd College's First-Year Research Associate Program.

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