Max Kilger

Max Kilger, Ph.D., is a Professor of Practice with joint appointments in the Management Science & Statistics Department and the Department of Information Systems & Cyber Security at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). He is a core faculty member of the UTSA School of Data Science and currently serves as the Academic Director of the UTSA IC CAE Critical Technology Studies Program, which prepares students for careers in the U.S. Intelligence Community. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Stanford University and has over 20 years of expertise in information security, focusing on social and psychological factors influencing malicious online actors, hacking groups, and cyberterrorists.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology, Stanford University
• M.A., Stanford University
• B.A., Oregon State University

Research Interests: Dr. Kilger’s work explores motivations behind malicious online activities, cyberterrorism, the equivalence of kinetic and cyber attacks, data fusion, and national security policy in the cyber domain. He emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to understanding and mitigating cyber threats, particularly through behavioral analysis and policy frameworks.

Professional Contributions: He co-authored influential books like Reverse Deception and Deception in the Digital Age, and contributes to national and international cybersecurity initiatives. He is a founding board member of The Honeynet Project, a member of NATO’s Science for Peace and Security Program, and a speaker for the U.S. State Department’s SUSI program. His research spans NATO counterterrorism training, digital transformation challenges during crises, and emerging cyber threats.

Teaching & Leadership: He teaches courses on national security policy, cyber-human interactions, and statistical methods in business. His leadership roles include directing the Master in Data Analytics program and advising on critical infrastructure protection strategies.