Problem solver: Kennesaw State professor’s career follows suit

by James · March 27, 2023

KENNESAW, Ga. | March 27, 2023

In 2004, Humayun Zafar was a young computer programmer working for Kodak when a hacker nearly derailed his first major project. That incident was the catalyst that changed the course of his career.

“At that time there was a lot of uncertainty with the company and my boss, who realized that I like to solve problems, suggested that I do a PhD, which is about learning how to solve problems,” said Zafar, who was already on his way to obtain a master’s degree in information technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

With the Kodak incident fresh in his mind, Zafar earned his doctorate in business administration with an emphasis in information technology from the University of Texas, San Antonio. His research focused on organizational information security strategies, known today as cyber security.

“When I started out, information security was seen mainly as a compliance issue,” Zafar said, adding that many businesses began to take information security seriously only after the 2013 Target data breach that saw hackers steal 70 million of the retailer’s customer credit card numbers. “From that moment, cyber security became a risk management issue, and suddenly the chief information officer was part of senior management.”

Today, as associate director of the Department of Information Systems and Security and professor of information security and safety in the Michael J. Coles College of Business, Zafar continues to look for ways to solve problems. Recently, he was appointed director of the college’s new financial technology programs.

KSU’s fintech degree programs are an extension of the university’s involvement in the Georgia FinTech Academy, a statewide initiative to create a talent pipeline for Georgia’s fintech industry.

Zafar says that KSU’s focus on digital payments within the fintech area is in line with the market requirements of the state. According to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, 118 billion digital transactions – or 70% of the total US volume – are processed by more than 170 fintech companies based in Georgia. Given the volume, companies including FIS Global, NCR, Equifax, Fiserv and Global Payments are creating new fintech jobs at a rate of an estimated 1,000 jobs annually.

For Zafar, the focus on fintech is a natural extension of his work in cybersecurity and complements his own love of solving problems.

“This is one of the few times where industry and academia are on the same page when it comes to understanding an industry,” Zafar said. “In most fields, the industry is at the forefront. But both sides are currently working on what fintech will look like. Our students have the chance to help shape the direction of the industry.”

-Patrick Harbin

Kennesaw State University is a leader in innovative teaching and learning, offering undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 43,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from across the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated Graduate Research Institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of US colleges and universities with R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.