Alan Rea

Dr. Alan Rea is a Professor of Business Information Systems at Western Michigan University (WMU), affiliated with the Haworth College of Business. He holds a Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University. His teaching focuses on Information Security, Risk Management, CyberEthics, Linux, and Digital Forensics, emphasizing free and open-source software in coursework. He co-directs WMU’s cybersecurity programs and actively participates in academic and industry security working groups.

His research explores secure system development, organizational information assurance, and risk management, particularly in cloud services, IoT devices, and mobile applications. He frequently engages with media as a cybersecurity expert and has published widely in journals like the Journal of Information Systems Security and Communications of the ACM. His work also addresses legal challenges in digital forensics, privacy in virtual environments, and innovative pedagogical approaches.

Rea’s contributions include developing frameworks such as the Secure Cloud Internetwork Model with Economic and Social Incentives (SCIMES) and the Layered Virtual Reality Commerce System (LaVRCS). He advocates for integrating technology with community health, exemplified by initiatives like the Smart Consumer-Empowered Diabetes Education System (SCEDES).