Name: Dr. Cheryl Purdy
Title: Adjunct Professor
Office/Department: Computer Information Science
Office location: Remote
Phone: 270-929-4375
Cell: 270-929-4375
Email: cheryl.purdy@ucumberlands.edu
Expertise: Digital Forensics, Information Security
Education: PhD Information Technology, University of the Cumberlands, 2021
MBA, Morehead State University, 2011
Bio: Dr. Cheryl Purdy is the lead digital forensic examiner/analyst for the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department in Owensboro, KY. She has been with the department for 11 year and has performed hundreds of examinations, many of which have led to convictions in both the state and federal systems. In addition, she is the Owensboro Community and Technical College project manager for a National Security Agency coalition grant with the University of Louisville and 4 other colleges and universities that have been awarded the prestigious Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense designation by NSA.
In addition to her PhD in Information Technology with a specialty area in digital forensics, Dr. Purdy has completed training with the Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training, the National White Collar Crime Center, the Secret Service funded National Computer Forensics Institute, and the American Academy of Applied Forensics.
Recent awards for her accolades include being selected as the 2021 National Sheriff’s Association Reserve Deputy of the Year, the 2021 New Beginnings (Sexual Assault Support Services) Voice for Change Award, and the 2021 Owensboro Noon Optimist Respect for Law Award. She a member of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security Cyber Threats Working Group and the International High Technology Crime Investigation Association.
Dr. Purdy has two daughters who are professionals in their respective fields. One is a patent attorney and the other is an occupational therapist. Her favorite past time is spending time with her 6-year-old grandson.