Steven J. Templeton, Ph.D., is a cybersecurity engineer, researcher, and consultant with more than 20 years of experience protecting critical infrastructure. As President of Secure Reasoning, he has led major security and compliance initiatives for large water and energy organizations, designed SOC and monitoring capabilities for SCADA environments, and developed advanced Splunk-based analytics supporting operations and NERC CIP requirements. His work spans ICS/OT security, machine learning applications, cyber-deception, cryptography, and regulatory audit support.
Dr. Templeton brings a strong research background to the University of San Diego’s Cyber Security Engineering program. His doctoral research at UC Davis focused on bio-inspired models for cyber-attack detection and resilience, and he continues to publish and speak on AI security, cyber-deception, and industrial control system security. He also develops AI-driven teaching tools to support student learning and hands-on skill development.
In the classroom, Dr. Templeton emphasizes practical, real-world learning to build capable and confident practitioners. He prioritizes analytical thinking over memorization and strives to create an environment where students feel supported in asking questions and exploring new ideas. He promotes the thoughtful use of all learning resources, including AI tools, as aids to inquiry rather than substitutes for understanding, fostering the critical thinking essential for success in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.