Kevin Durkin expected his Introduction to Cybercrime class at USF to be just another required course for his criminology degree – but it was a spark that ignited his career. He says he wasn’t a “techy person” and didn’t know much about computers, but by the end of the course, he was sold. What began as an elective in his criminology degree led him to a master’s in cybercrime, hands-on research experience, and even a role as an instructor in the field.
Today, while serving as a school resource officer for the Hillsborough County School District, Durkin is also helping shape the next generation of cybercrime professionals by teaching an online course at USF.
Discovering a Passion for Cybercrime
After earning his associate’s degree from Pasco Hernando State College, Durkin transferred to USF to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminology.
One of the required courses – Introduction to Cybercrime – fascinated him, and as he learned more about how law enforcement uses technology and digital forensics to track criminal activity, he discovered a new passion.
“I remember wanting to take this class to become a more well-rounded criminology student,” Durkin said. “By the end of it, I was blown away. Previously, I had no idea about the complexities of how law enforcement uses digital forensics.”
Advancing in Cybercrime Studies
Inspired by his coursework, Durkin consulted with Professor Colby Valentine to explore his options for graduate studies. He ultimately chose USF’s online Master of Science in Cybercrime program, with a concentration in digital forensics.
The program provided hands-on training in critical areas such as network forensics and digital evidence analysis.
He decided a concentration in digital forensics would be the best fit to learn how to analyze computers, phones, gaming consoles, and other digital devices for evidence collection.
Durkin particularly enjoyed the Networks Forensics and Digital Evidence Recognition and Collection courses in that program.
“We used these virtual machines to simulate how to search for evidence on a computer,” he said. “Sometimes we’d discover files and then run them through different programs to find more information. For example, you can track down a lot of information from a simple photograph – where it was taken, what kind of camera was used, the shutter speed, etc.”
Real-World Experience in Cybercrime
Durkin gained practical experience through USF’s Cybercrime Lab, where he collaborated on a research project analyzing the impact of romance scams. The team studied how victims were targeted and how financial fraud affected their lives, while also exploring ways to prevent future scams.
This project aligned with his internship with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he studied scam tactics targeting elderly individuals in nursing homes. He also trained alongside special agents, gaining exposure to investigative techniques used in financial crimes, child exploitation cases, and ransomware attacks.
Transition to Teaching
Now, four years later, Durkin is paying it forward by teaching the Introduction to Cybercrime course at USF. Inspired by his uncle, who works at the Tampa Police Department and teaches, Durkin enjoys introducing students to this exciting field and helping them discover the many career paths available in cybercrime investigations.
“As a first-time instructor, teaching a class that I’ve taken myself eliminated some of the trouble of how to acclimate to the instructor’s side of Canvas,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Now equipped with a master’s degree and hands-on experience, Durkin is preparing for his next step: joining a federal agency where he can expand his impact on cybercrime investigations while continuing to educate future professionals. “Now that I’ve unlocked this wealth of cyber knowledge through USF, I’m ready to put it to use,” he said.
Working for a federal agency would allow him to expand his impact, he said, as he would get to serve the entire country. It would also allow him more work-life balance, which is essential for him as a husband and father.
Visit the website to learn more about how a master’s in cybercrime can equip you for the next stage in your career.