Donnie Wendt, D.Sc.
Lecturer
TSYS Center for Cybersecurity
Synovus Center for Commerce & Technology 137A
Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Machine Learning
Education and Certifications
DSc Computer ScienceMS Cybersecurity
BA Business Administration
CISSP
Biography
Dr. Donnie Wendt is a cybersecurity educator, author, and AI security specialist focused on the secure and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence. He is the author of The Cybersecurity Trinity: AI, Automation, and Active Cyber Defense and AI Strategy and Security: A Roadmap for Secure, Responsible, and Resilient AI Adoption, where he presents practical approaches for building resilient and trustworthy AI programs.With more than 30 years of experience spanning software development, security engineering, and advanced threat research, Dr. Wendt previously served as a Principal Security Researcher at Mastercard. His work has explored adversarial AI, AI-driven defense, and emerging cybersecurity technologies, helping bridge executive strategy with real-world implementation. Throughout his career, he has focused on aligning innovation in artificial intelligence with strong governance, risk management, and security practices.
At Columbus State University, Dr. Wendt serves as a cybersecurity lecturer within the Nexus program, preparing students for careers in cyber defense and AI security through applied, hands-on learning. He holds a Doctor of Science in Computer Science with a focus on information security and is recognized for translating complex AI and cybersecurity challenges into practical strategies that students, practitioners, and organizations can apply in real-world environments.
Academic Areas
CybersecurityArtificial Intelligence
Responsible AI and AI Governance
AI Security Adversarial
Machine Learning