Research Philosophy

Research is necessary for all who serve in the univesity academic setting. But it can also be a rewarding experience. Dr. Schuessler has a passion for researching interesting phenomena in the area of information systems security, privacy, and computer forensics as outlined below. Research serves as a way for faculty to stay current in the field but also to incorporate materials into the class room in order to enrich student learning.

Information Systems Security: Developing a Stage Theory

This is the beginning of a research stream focused on examining information systems research from a stage theory perspective. This paper outlines the approach proposed by first giving a detailed look at stage theory in general and then stage theory as it has been applied to information systems specifically. The author then moves on to discuss a proposed methodology to investigate this phenomenon. The paper then concludes with stating the goals that developing such a model will hopefully fulfill.

Information Systems Security: Developing a Stage Theory (PDF - Full Paper)

Hacking Framework Extended: The Role of Vulnerabilities

Information Systems Security (ISS) has become a major concern in the United States following the rapid commercialization of the Internet, terrorism awareness after 9/11, and changes brought about by Sarbanes-Oxley and similar acts. The compromise of systems by extending the hacking framework (Bento and Bento, 2004) is explored. System vulnerabilities are applied to the framework to investigate user compromise. The number of broadband connections and vulnerabilities were found to be significantly related to user compromise. Implications for practice are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.

Hacking Framework Extended: The Role of Vulnerabilities (PDF - Full Paper)

Portable Privacy: Mobile Device Adoption

Mobile devices are becoming ubiquitous in both commercial and personal environments. They come in the form of smart phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), among others (Ng-Kruelle et al., 2003). With the proliferation of mobile devices comes the risk associated with securing personal information located on these devices. How one perceives the ability of a mobile device to secure personal information is likely to influence one’s perceived utility and ultimately one’s adoption of such devices. This study identifies the location where the information is stored, encryption, volume of communication, and the sensitivity of the information stored on the device as important factors for users when they are determining the utility of a portable device. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Portable Privacy: Mobile Device Adoption (PDF - Full Paper)

Portable Privacy: Mobile Device Adoption (PDF - Slides)

An Information Systems Security Framework

Ever evolving Information Systems Security (ISS) risk requires that we as researchers constantly review our body of work to identify potential gaps. If we can successfully understand the nature of ISS incidents, we can begin to eliminate or mitigate the risks so that damage can be limited or occur in a more controlled fashion. This paper is an attempt to identify relevant research gaps as they relate to ISS by developing an ISS framework and identifying gaps within the existing literature.

An Information Systems Security Framework (PDF - Full Paper)