Mark Nelson

About Mark Nelson

I have the best job in the world and I’m excited to go to work (just about) every day…. I’m a Visiting Professor at The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Engineering. I teach Software Reverse Engineering, C, C++, Object Oriented Programming, Data Structures, and Wireless Communications. I’ve got a Fall class focused on doing the NSA’s Codebreaker Challenge and I’ve recently stood up a new lab focusing on securing SCADA systems using Software Defined Networks. I’ve passed my Ph.D. Qualifying Exams and I’m starting work on my literature review. I’m using Intel’s Software Guard Extensions (SGX) as a research platform for deploying software modules into secure enclaves. Previously, I was a Systems Architect for HP Networking, providing leadership for HPN products and supporting HPN’s wireless, security and unified communications portfolios.

Experience

1. Founder

   Applied Enclaves

   Nov 2025 — Present · Honolulu, HI, US

   I founded Applied Enclaves LLC.We reimagine how computer processes are structured in light of (1) modern security threats and (2) advances in hardware-based security. My innovation places each executable and library into its own encrypted memory region—an enclave.One of our core research questions is: If we can’t eliminate malware, can we contain it? The model is biological: Humans coexist with dangerous pathogens because infections are isolated. A single cell may die, but it doesn’t kill the organism. Our enclave model applies this same principle to software.Systems adopting this design are potentially an order of magnitude more secure. Our approach cuts off dozens of attack vectors, reduces and protects attack surfaces, provides attribution, protects processes from compromised operating systems, and remains fully backward compatible with existing source code.I have a working proof of concept and have spent the last year developing a minimum viable product (MVP).Given current geopolitical, cyber defense, and AI-driven threat trends, the timing is ideal for a paradigm shift in hardware-enforced security. The potential impact spans every modern operating system, program and device globally. I\'m looking for a strategic partner who shares my vision, appreciates its value, and can help get this in the hands of ordinary users.I believe this is game-changing cybersecurity innovation hiding in plain sight. If you have any questions, please reach out.

Education

• California State University, Chico

  Computer Engineering

  1986 — 1995

• University of Hawaii at Manoa

  Information and Computer Science

  2015 — 2018

Skills

• Solaris
• Public Key Cryptography
• Databases
• Undergraduate Teaching
• Sql
• Linux
• Tcp/Ip
• Cyber Operations
• Java
• Active Directory
• Unix
• Information Security
• Software Development
• Communication Protocols
• Testing
• Apache
• Servers
• Product Management
• Actor Networks
• Sql Server Management Studio
• Voip
• Data Center
• Cryptography
• Cyber-Security
• Software Engineering
• Cyber-Physical Systems
• Networking
• Teaching
• Architecture