Rate My Professor Humayun Zafar

Humayun Zafar is Professor of Information Security and Assurance and Chair of the Department of Information Systems and Security in the Michael J. Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. He also directs the Mobile Application Development Center and coordinates the university's FinTech programs. Zafar earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration with an emphasis on information technology from The University of Texas at San Antonio, where his dissertation focused on organizational information security strategies in cybersecurity. Prior to his doctorate, he obtained an M.S. in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology and a B.S. from St. Mary's University. His professional certifications include CEH, CISM, and CRISC.

Zafar's career trajectory shifted toward academia following his early role as a computer programmer at Kodak in 2004, when a hacker attack on a major project highlighted the critical need for advanced cybersecurity expertise. This experience propelled him into doctoral research on cybersecurity as a risk management discipline, particularly after high-profile breaches like the 2013 Target incident. At Kennesaw State University, he has risen to leadership positions, including assistant and interim department chair, while spearheading fintech initiatives tied to Georgia's prominent fintech sector, which processes 70% of U.S. digital transaction volume through state-based companies. His research specializes in information systems and cybersecurity, with notable publications such as 'Human Resource Information Systems: Information Security Concerns for Organizations' (2013), 'Financial Impact of Information Security Breaches on Breached Firms and their Non-Breached Competitors' (2012), 'The Russian and Ukrainian Information Technology Outsourcing Market: Potential, Barriers and Management Considerations,' 'Student Perceptions of Computer Use Ethics: A Decade in Comparison,' 'Security Risk Management in Healthcare: A Case Study,' 'HRIS Privacy and Security,' and 'Rethinking FS-ISAC: An IT Security Information Sharing Network Model for the Financial Services Sector.' Zafar has been honored with the 2014 Distinguished Graduate Faculty Award in Research and Creative Activity, the Distinguished Service Award, University Scholar nominations, and Google Community Grants Fund awards via the Tides Foundation. His contributions extend to teaching cybersecurity courses and providing expert commentary on global hacking incidents.