Dr. Mark Fearer

Dr. Mark Fearer Faculty Profile

Adjunct Professor

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
mdfearer@captechu.edu

Dr. Mark Fearer is an adjunct professor with Capitol Technology University and a Branch Chief with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Division of Examinations Technology Controls Program. He leads a team of information security auditors who examine the infrastructure of stock exchanges for good practices and efforts to keep them available and secure. His team references NIST standards for baseline information security. With three decades of system and network administration experience, Dr. Fearer holds several degrees in computer science and industry certifications from ISC2 and ISACA. He has authored an information technology ANSI standard focused on the human element. Dr. Fearer received his Executive Juris Doctor from Concord Law School and Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity from Capitol Technology University.

Innovations in his field include increasing federal, state, and municipal cyber regulations, cloud migration models, and business reasoning in information security risk and oversight.

When he is not teaching, he enjoys binge-watching romcoms with his significant other. 

A favorite quote of his is: “There is no limit to what can be accomplished if you do not care who receives credit.”

Some simple advice he offers his students is: “Make an honest attempt at the assignments and everything else will fall into place.”

Areas of Expertise:

  • IT Audit
  • Intellectual Property
  • Information Security
  • Physical Security
  • Business Continuity Planning
  • Unix System Administration
  • Analog and Digital Circuitry

Biography:

Education

  • Executive Juris Doctor, Concord Law School
  • Doctor of Science, Cybersecurity, Capitol Technology University
  • Master of Science, Computer Science, Fitchburg State University
  • Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, Fitchburg State University

Professional Achievements

Certifications and Licenses 

  • ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor
  • ISC2’s Certified Information Systems Security Professional
  • USPTO’s Registered Patent Agent
  • Ham Radio Technician License

Honors & Awards 

  • 2018 Four Pillars Award of the National Exam Program, SEC
    • In recognition of: 'Improve Compliance; Prevent Fraud; Monitor Risk; and Inform Policy'
  • 2017 John P. Wheeler Veterans Charity Award
    • Issued by SEC Veterans Committee

Research and Publications

Organizations and Affiliations

  • Vice President of Education, Information Systems Security Association National Capital Chapter, 2018 – present: http://www.issa-dc.org/index.php/board
  • Chair, ASIS - Chapter 151 Quantico Fredericksburg Virginia, Jan 2023 – Present: https://asis151.org
  • Chair, Woodbridge Virginia Linux Meetup, 2019 – Present: https://www.meetup.com/Woodbridge-Linux-Meetup/ 
  • Chair, Scholarship Committee and member of Engagement
  • Board of Directors, Fitchburg State University Alumni Association, 2020 – Present
  • Saxifrage Society of Fitchburg State University, 2020 – Present
  • Legacy Society of Capitol Technology University, 2020 – Present

Volunteer/Service Experience

  • Trustee, Mickey Finn Detachment 333 of the Marine Corp League
  • Trustee, Dale City Virginia Moose Lodge

Portfolio/Personal Website