Francisca Afua Opoku-Boateng

Francisca Afua Opoku-Boateng, PhD, (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in Cybersecurity at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). She holds a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Cyber Defense from Dakota State University, South-Dakota. She also holds a Master of Science in Computer Science and Information Systems from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining CSUSB, she served as a Senior Cybersecurity Consultant specializing in Cyber-threat Intelligence, Vulnerability Management and Operational Technology.

Opoku-Boateng’s extensive research portfolio encompasses areas such as Black girls in Cyber, Dark Web, Cyber Forensics, Open-source Intelligence (OSINT) investigations, Cyber Threat Awareness, Education and Intelligence, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence (AI). She is a current New America #Share the Mic in Cyber Fellow where she combines her passion for OSINT with her expertise in cyber forensics investigation to examine the intersection between AI, OSINT, and Cyber Investigations particularly in relation to individuals’ privacy considerations. Opoku-Boateng’s research aims to provide a framework that will provide valuable insights into the ethical utilization of OSINT in investigations while it addresses impact on individuals’ rights to privacy and contributes to the education of investigators in this rapidly evolving field.

Dr. Opoku-Boateng actively contributes to underrepresented communities, including mentorship, ambassadorship, and participation as a speaker and presenter at numerous events. She also serves as a committee and board member, highlighting her dedication to fostering inclusivity and diversity.