معرفی
Shawn Zwach is an Instructor in the Department of Computer & Cyber Sciences at Dakota State University, part of The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences. He teaches courses in software security, mobile communications, and offensive network security, with a strong emphasis on real-world problem solving and inclusive pedagogy.
His educational background includes:
- B.S. in Cyber Operations, Dakota State University
- M.S. in Applied Computer Science, Dakota State University
Shawn's research and development efforts focus on secure software engineering, automation, reverse engineering, and software exploitation. His projects have been adopted by faculty across campus for advising and attendance tracking, and he plans to extend his work into code analysis. His teaching philosophy emphasizes inclusivity, timely feedback, and creative problem-solving through realistic lab scenarios.
Although no publications are listed, his work is applied and impactful within the academic and cybersecurity community.
Notable awards include:
- OpenSOC Winner at DEF CON 28 (2020)
- Wild West Hacking Fest CTF Winner / Black Badge Holder (2019)
- Digital Forensics Research Workshop Forensics Challenge, Grand Champion (2018)
Shawn has secured leadership roles in federally supported education initiatives, serving as Camp Director for GenCyber Teachers at DSU (2023) and Instructional Lead (2022), which reflect grant-funded contributions to cybersecurity education. He has extensive industry experience since 2012 in cybersecurity, including code assessment, forensics, and tool development, and has been teaching since 2016 at both academic and professional levels.
He is affiliated with DSU’s cybersecurity ecosystem, including Madison Cyber Labs (MadLabs®), and contributes to programs supported by the NSA, DHS, and NSF. His certifications include GIAC Reverse Engineering Malware (GREM) and former GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE).
