One of The University of Tulsa’s newest faculty members holds an unconventional yet fascinating background. Justin Miller, associate professor of practice of cyber studies, says his career trajectory is a testament to the seamless integration of law enforcement, the U.S. Secret Service, and cybersecurity expertise.

Miller’s aspiration to join the Secret Service was ignited during a visit from former Vice President Dan Quayle. Earning a master’s degree in history and U.S. diplomacy from New Mexico State University, then briefly serving with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Department as a fugitive recovery deputy, Miller embarked on a 25-year career with the Secret Service. He served many roles during his time, including the Albuquerque field office, a detail to the Protection Operations Division for former President Gerald R. Ford, and a pivotal position in the Dallas field office’s Electronic Crimes Task Force, where he led significant cyber investigations and collaborated with international agencies.

In 2019, Miller seized a remote cyber teaching opportunity at the National Computer Forensics Institute training law enforcement personnel in cyber investigations, lab management, and digital forensics. By 2022, he was reassigned to establish the first domicile office in southern New Mexico, partnering with the Department of Homeland Security Investigations to lead a financial intelligence strike team targeting cross-border money laundering. Miller’s driving force to transition from law enforcement to cyber security was a desire for new challenges and a meaningful impact, strongly supported by his wife, who encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree in information security operations. 

While in New Mexico, Miller leveraged expertise to solve a murder and a child exploitation case by partnering with a Tulsa government branch, successfully rebuilding cell phones and obtaining crucial evidence for prosecution. His Tulsa connections, partnered with his passion for teaching and ability to infiltrate real-world experiences into the curriculum, garnered excellent reviews from students. Demonstrating that it is possible to learn and succeed in cyber security as an adult, he sought opportunities to teach cyber or criminal justice courses ultimately leading him to UTulsa. 

Miller described a defining moment in his career occurring early in his assignment with the electronic crime group, “where I led an investigation into a major retailer network breach successfully guiding discussions with the CEO, IT professionals, and attorneys, successfully identifying the infiltration point.” His career has been marked by protection assignments across the globe, including China, Ireland, Romania, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Italy, ensuring the safety of high-profile individuals and critical systems.

Currently, Miller teaches an introductory UTulsa course that allows him to utilize his work experience while helping cyber majors and other students understand how to protect themselves while using a networked device. “It’s amazing to demonstrate technical concepts through practical applications. This is the first step in operating intelligently and safely in our severely digitally connected world,” he said.