Computer Information Systems

Senior Lecturer

• M.B.A., Appalachian State University
• B.S.B.A, Appalachian State University

Christopher W. Taylor is a Senior Lecturer of Computer Information Systems in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. He obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Appalachian State University. He currently holds the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) Certification, is a Certified Security Analyst from EC-Council (ECSA) and has a Business Analytics Certificate from Appalachian State University.

He was previously the Network Operations Manager for Quadrant Information Security for five years, a firm that specializes and focuses on Information Security. He remains a security consultant with the firm to keep his knowledge of real-world security threats up to date while delivering these tactics and methods in his classes.

His works have been published in a number of journals and conference proceedings such as the Southeast Decision Sciences Institute Conference Proceedings, The Journal of Information Technology Management, The Journal of Information Systems Applied Research as well as the Appalachian State University archives.

Teaching Highlights

• Taught a variety of face-to-face and online undergraduate and graduate courses at Appalachian State University including Essential Business Tools and Techniques, Information Technology in the Organization, and created the following undergraduate courses: Information Technology Auditing, Audit Analytics, Managing Security, Ethical Hacking and Countermeasures, Advanced Security, Advanced Data Communications and Networking; and the following graduate courses: Web Analytics and Cyber Security, and Web Analytics, Data Privacy and Security.
•  A two-time recipient of Most Memorable Professor Award at Appalachian State University Walker College of Business Honors Convocation (2018, 2019)
• Appalachian State University Walker College of Business Sywassink Non-Tenure Track Award- May 2013

Recent Publications

Books

• Cazier, J., Wink B., and Taylor C., “Hacking to Learn: A Hands On Prep Guide for CEH Certification” Amazon Kindle Edition October 2013.

Publications

• Hartley, R., Iyer, L., Taylor, C. “Ethical Hacking Skills: Review of Pedagogical Approaches and Recommendation of Best Practices,” Proceedings of the EDSIG Conference. November 2018.
• Nakayama, M., Taylor, C. Chen, C. “The Effects of Perceived Functionality and Usability on Privacy and Security Concerns about Adopting Cloud Applications,” Journal of Information Systems Applied Research, Volume 10, Number 2, 2017
• Taylor, C., Hunsinger S. “A Study of Student Use of Cloud Computing Applications,” Journal of Information Technology Management. Volume XXII, Number 3, 2011.
• Taylor C. “Cloud Computing at the University Level: A Study of Student Use of Cloud Computing Applications,” Appalachian State University Archives. May 2011.
• Taylor, C. “Cloud Computing: A Newer Phenomenon in the IT Segment of Supply Chain,” SEDSI 2011 Proceedings. February 2011.

Conferences

• EDSIG Conference on Information Systems & Computing Education (EDSIGCON), November 2018, Norfolk, VA
• Information Systems Applied Research (CONISAR), November 2016, Las Vegas, NV
• Association of Information Technology Professionals National Collegiate Conference (AITP NCC), March 2011, Orlando, Florida.
• Southeast Decision Sciences Institute (SEDSI), February 2011, Savannah, Georgia.

Service Highlights

• Co-Faculty Advisor 
  • Appalachian State University (ASU) Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP)- August 2012 
    • Over 40 national awards 
    • Bring industry speakers on campus and take students on academic & company trips 
    • Over 1/3 of 2013-14 and 2014-15 CIS graduates landed a job at a company that recently presented at ASU AITP meetings
• Professional Memberships 
  • Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)- August 2019
  • Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)- April 2017
• Editorial Board Member- Journal of Information Systems Applied Research (JISAR)- January 2018