Dr. Mustafa Kirisci Brings Real-World Cybersecurity Experience to LVC

Dr. Mustafa Kirisci doesn't just study and teach intelligence and cybersecurity-he's lived it. As a former officer trained at the Turkish Military Academy and now the Director of LVC's Master of Science in Intelligence & Cybersecurity program, Kirisci brings an insider's view of national security, law enforcement, and evolving digital threats into every course he teaches.

"My education at the Turkish Military Academy and my time as an officer gave me a strong grounding in national security, especially in areas like international relations, homeland security, intelligence, and cybersecurity," Kirisci said.

Kirisci's years in the field sparked a deeper curiosity: what are the broader political, legal, and institutional forces that drive security work? That question led him to the University of North Texas, where he earned advanced degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science.

"I wanted to take a step back and better understand the bigger picture," he said. "I thought the academic environment could give me resources or tools to analyze those issues more deeply and eventually bridge my practical experience with research and teaching."

Leading a Cybersecurity & Intelligence Program That's Built for the Real World

At LVC, Kirisci is focused on building a graduate program that gives students both practical tools and a deep understanding of the global security environment.

"My primary goal is to build a program that prepares students to confidently overcome the real-world challenges facing today's intelligence and cybersecurity professionals. We've designed the curriculum to strike a balance between technical skill development, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making."

He sees the program expanding not just in size, but in relevance-through industry partnerships, applied learning, and technology.

"Incorporating cutting-edge tools and technologies in teaching courses as well as offering students more opportunities for applied learning are my important goals in achieving growth. Ultimately, I want our graduates to be competitive in the job market, confident in their abilities, and well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to intelligence and cyber defense efforts across public and private sectors."

A Practical, Hands-On Approach to Learning

Kirisci emphasizes real-world experience across the curriculum.

"We emphasize hands-on, practical learning-students work with real-world case studies, conduct threat modeling, use analytic tools, including but not limited to, i2 Analyst's Notebook, Try Hack Me and simulate intelligence briefings or cyber incident responses."

Kirisci himself is a certified cybersecurity analyst (CySA+, SC-900) and works part-time as a Security Operations Center analyst, staying sharp on current threats.

"Whether it's detecting suspicious activity, analyzing logs, or responding to phishing campaigns and malware, these practical encounters allow me to bring current, real-world examples into the courses."

Learning From Leaders on the Front Lines

One of the standout features of the program? Students get direct access to industry and government experts.

In one course, Kirisci brought in Katherine Schweit, a former FBI official and national expert on mass shootings, to talk about the human psychology behind violence. In another, he interviewed Tanya Krewson, NATO's lead architect of its Cognitive Warfare Concept, about the strategic use of information in modern conflict.

"These guest engagements significantly enrich our curriculum by connecting theoretical learning with frontline experience."

Advice for Aspiring Analysts

Kirisci has some clear advice for students hoping to break into the intelligence and cybersecurity field:

"Be curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning. These fields evolve quickly, so developing a strong foundation in both the technical and analytical sides is essential."

He encourages students to take advantage of hands-on opportunities, build their networks early, and be open to starting from the bottom.

Kirisci also emphasizes that technology alone can't solve everything.

"The biggest vulnerability in cybersecurity is human because humans are not patchable. AI and machine learning can help a lot… but I believe resilience depends not only on technology but on a culture of security awareness and preparedness at every level of an organization."

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Under Dr. Kirisci's direction, LVC's graduate program is preparing the next generation of analysts, researchers, and cybersecurity professionals.

Whether you're looking to launch a career in cybersecurity or advance your skills in intelligence analysis, LVC's Master of Science in Intelligence & Cybersecurity program is designed to get you there.

Apply today or request more information to learn how LVC can help you reach your goals.