Heather Lipford is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC Charlotte), affiliated with the College of Computing and Informatics. Her research focuses on Usable Security and Privacy , bridging Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and cybersecurity. She explores privacy challenges in smart homes, mobile apps, and community-driven security practices. Key research areas include: Smart home access control and cross-boundary sharing User perceptions of wearable and fitness data privacy Community oversight mechanisms for digital security SMiShing susceptibility and mobile security behaviors Her work emphasizes practical solutions for everyday security challenges, such as designing apps like Mi casa es su casa and CO-OPS to facilitate secure sharing and oversight. Recent studies analyze demographic factors in phishing susceptibility and the role of extended family in mobile security management. Notable grants include the NSF-funded REU Site: Smart and Secure Future Computing and the CyberCorps® Scholarship Program. She leads the UNC Charlotte HCI/InDe Lab , which focuses on interdisciplinary security and privacy research. Her contributions span over 50 publications since 2010, addressing topics like secure programming education, vulnerability detection, and privacy in social media platforms.













