Marshall S. Rich

Marshall S. Rich, PhD, explores the human choices involved in digital threats and the consequences when trust, technology, and security intersect. A cybersecurity expert, researcher, educator, and U.S. Army veteran, he combines practical experience with insights into human behavior in his nonfiction works and realistic thrillers.

With a career extending over thirty years, he has worked in military service, cybersecurity, and education, including 23 years in the U.S. Army. His expertise covers cyber defense, digital forensics, risk management, and international missions. He earned a PhD in Forensic Cyberpsychology from Capitol Technology University and a Doctor of Business Administration in Information Systems. His research explores the intersection of cybersecurity, psychology, and behavioral science, focusing on how individuals behave in digital spaces, how adversaries manipulate trust, and how evidence can inform better decision-making.

In his Cyber Behavioral Sciences nonfiction series, Rich examines the importance of understanding human behavior in protecting technology. His books, such as The Digital Mind and Advanced Network Forensics, link research to practical concerns about threat analysis, attribution, governance, and resilience. His writing prompts readers to go beyond technical signals and consider the underlying behavior, context, and uncertainties involved.

He is also the author of The Confidence Layer, a six-book thriller series starting with Dead Water. Inspired by themes from his professional work, the series examines critical infrastructure, disputed evidence, institutional pressures, and the fallout from decisions made without knowing the full facts. His stories focus on people, not just technology, during crises, questioning whom to believe, what can be proven, and the repercussions when confidence outpaces the facts.

Through RichOnCyber and RichOnCyber Press, Rich introduces readers to these interconnected themes, whether they are seeking a deeper grasp of the digital landscape or an engaging story centered on its weaknesses. In both fiction and nonfiction, his work centers on the core question: How can we make wise decisions when evidence is limited, and the risks are significant?