Road to the CISO – Culminating Project Course

Dr. Herbert J. Mattord is a Professor of Information Security and Assurance at Kennesaw State University, where he teaches courses in cybersecurity and serves as the Director of Education and Outreach at the KSU Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development. With 26 years of experience in the IT industry prior to his academic career, which began in 2002, Dr. Mattord has held various roles including application developer, database administrator, project manager, and information security practitioner. His practical expertise was further enhanced during his tenure as the Manager of Corporate Information Technology Security at Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Additionally, he has taught as an adjunct professor at several institutions and is a co-author of key textbooks in the field, including Principles of Information Security and Management of Information Security. Dr. Mattord earned his Ph.D. in Information Systems with a focus on Information Security from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Michael Whitman is a Professor of Information Security in the Information Systems and Security Department at Kennesaw State University, where he also serves as the Executive Director of the KSU Institute for Cybersecurity Workforce Development. With a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems, Dr. Whitman teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses in cybersecurity and has made significant contributions to the field through numerous publications in top academic journals. He is a co-author of several widely used textbooks in information security and has played a crucial role in establishing Kennesaw State as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education, recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Under his leadership, the university's cybersecurity programs have flourished, reflecting his commitment to advancing education and workforce development in this critical area.