Meet Jason Dow: Information Security Project Manager
About Jason: Jason Dow joined the NGN team just four months ago, stepping into the pivotal role of Project Manager for Information Security initiatives. With a rich background in engineering, cloud infrastructure, and identity and access management, Jason brings a unique blend of technical expertise and project leadership experience to the team. His journey from engineer to project manager was launched at Microsoft, where he focused on identity and security—skills that have seamlessly translated to his role on the NGN team.
Jason’s NGN Journey: Jason’s responsibilities include managing the Extended Network Authentication project for wired devices (ENA wired for short) and overseeing key information security initiatives, such as the Yale Police Department migration. These projects require coordination with multiple teams across Yale, a challenge Jason embraces with curiosity and adaptability. He takes pride in untangling complex issues, bringing order to chaos, and helping impactful and important projects regain momentum.
Exciting Challenges and Innovations: One of the most exciting innovations Jason sees in the NGN project is the adoption of identity-based authentication. “All security projects today rely on properly defined identity,” he explains, highlighting the critical role this technology plays in modernizing Yale’s network. Navigating the university’s vast network of teams and resources has been both a challenge and an opportunity for Jason to make new connections and continue to learn.
Words of Wisdom: Jason’s advice to new colleagues is simple but impactful: Be curious. He finds the team to be helpful and supportive, even when he’s not sure if he’s asking the right question. This mindset fuels his approach to problem-solving and team collaboration.
Beyond the Office: When Jason isn’t securing Yale’s data, you’ll find him drawing from a deck of Magic: The Gathering cards, tending to his garden, or experimenting in the kitchen. His latest culinary conquest is a pizza oven, because nothing in New Haven has quite filled the void left by a proper New York slice (sorry, Elm City, but the bar is high). A former middle and high school swimmer, Jason hopes to dive back into the pool someday soon. True to his New York roots, his loyalties are clear: Yankees over Red Sox, Knicks over… everyone, and Shake Shack over In-N-Out—”no contest,” he insists. Music-wise, he’s traded his punk rock past for electronic vibes and lo-fi beats, but some things never change: Swingers will always be his go-to movie.
Fun Fact: Jason spent over a year studying abroad in Kyoto, Japan—a period that left him with a deep appreciation for Japanese culture. While his Japanese is a bit rusty now, the experience remains a defining chapter in his life.
Favorite Spot on Campus: For now, Jason’s go-to spot is 25 Science Park, but he has a lot more exploring of campus left to do!