Dr. Christopher Copeland is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and the Director of the Institute for Homeland Security and Cybercrime at Tarleton. He is considered an authority on the topic of cybercrime and cybersecurity. With a specialization in technology, his research interests include cybercrimes, homeland security, critical infrastructure, human trafficking, and the application of technology in law enforcement. In 2022, Dr. Copeland served as a Fulbright Specialist in Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure for the U.S. State Department and the World Learning Organization. In addition to completing his D.Sc. degree from Dakota State University, he has obtained several professional certifications including the coveted CISSP and vendor specific certifications. Prior to entering an academic environment, he spent over nineteen years in the field of information technology working and consulting for companies including American Airlines, Sabre, EDS, National Checking, Vertis Communications, and subsidiaries of Berkshire Hathaway.