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UNO’s Gina Ligon Testifies on Security Concerns for International Sporting Events

Nebraska Examiner features UNO expert Gina Ligon on security challenges ahead of major global events.

  • published: 2025/06/13
  • contact: Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
UNO NCITE Director Gina Ligon, Ph.D. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

UNO NCITE Director Gina Ligon, Ph.D. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Gina Ligon, Ph.D., director of the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), recently testified before the U.S. Senate Homeland and Governmental Affairs Committee about security risks for upcoming international sporting events. Ligon highlighted how attackers used artificial intelligence in the New Orleans New Year’s Day incident, stressing the growing complexity of security threats.

💡Why it matters: Ligon emphasized how attackers used artificial intelligence in the New Orleans New Year’s Day incident, stressing the growing complexity of security threats.

🔍The big picture: Ligon’s testimony highlights the evolving nature of security risks and the need for significant planning, resources, and technological solutions to protect major international events like the Olympics and World Cup, both taking place in the United States. Ligon’s insights reinforce UNO’s role in addressing global security challenges, especially as technology advances and new threats emerge.

For more on Ligon’s testimony and the security concerns raised, read the full article in the Nebraska Examiner.

Read the full article on Nebraska Examiner

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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