Robert Bierman, CISSP Lecturer, San Francisco State University

I am a computer scientist, engineering leader, cybersecurity professional, product executive, researcher, and educator with more than four decades of experience building software, leading technical organizations, protecting intellectual property and consumer accounts, and teaching the next generation of computing professionals.

My career spans the evolution of modern computing—from IBM mainframes, CP/M, DOS, OS/2, and early personal computers to cross-platform application frameworks, commercial games, internet publishing, embedded Linux, cloud systems, and cybersecurity.

At San Francisco State University, I teach Machine Structures, Operating Systems, Embedded Linux Systems and Physical Computing, and Web Development. My courses emphasize hands-on systems work, including computer architecture, C programming, processes, synchronization, memory management, file systems, device interaction, networking, and embedded computing. I previously taught at SFSU from 2006 to 2011 and returned full-time in 2019.

I also have taught cybersecurity through UC Berkeley Extension, where I have led multiple six-month cybersecurity bootcamp cohorts covering the practical, technical, and operational skills required to defend modern systems.

At Electronic Arts, I served as Senior Manager of Intellectual Property and Consumer Security, where I led cross-functional security initiatives, developed standards for intellectual-property handling and consumer gaming assets, investigated account theft and information leaks, and improved EA’s overall consumer and cybersecurity posture. Previously, as a Senior QA Manager, I oversaw testing across studios, platforms, and online services, managing more than 400 QA personnel and helping ship products including Dead Space, Godfather II, Spore, Littlest Pet Shop, and Sonic Chronicles.

Earlier, I served as Vice President of Business Development at UserLand Software, managing sales, marketing, strategic partnerships, business operations, customer support, and e-commerce. I helped introduce an early software-subscription business model and developed VAR relationships and strategic alliances.

As Vice President of Engineering and Executive Producer at Sanctuary Woods, I oversaw engineering, art, QA, production, budgeting, purchasing, and packaging, shipping 38 consumer products in 36 months with a staff of approximately 40 people.

At Symantec, I founded and architected the Bedrock cross-platform development project, including its internationalization architecture. I also worked on MORE, ThinkTank, Ready!, and Q&A, developed advanced DOS memory-management technology, and designed and implemented what was among the world’s earliest commercial OS/2 applications.

My published research includes work in lossless compression and analysis of scientific imagery, and my broader interests include operating systems, embedded systems, computer architecture, cybersecurity, software quality, accessibility, and technical education.

Across every role, my focus has remained consistent: understand how systems work at a fundamental level, build dependable technology, develop strong teams, improve processes, and help others become better problem solvers.