Executive Team

About Lares | Why Lares? | Executive Team

Chris Nickerson

Founder, Principal Security Consultant

CISSP, CISA, BS7799, NSA IAM, CCNA, MCSE+I, NCSE

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) whose main area of expertise is focused on Information security and Social Engineering in order to help companies better defend and protect their critical data and key information systems. He has created a blended methodology to assess, implement, and manage information security realistically and effectively. At Lares, Chris leads a team of security consultants who conduct Security Risk Assessments, which can cover everything from penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, to policy design, computer forensics, Social Engineering, Red Team Testing and regulatory compliance.

Professional Experience

Manager Information Security Services-Alternative Technology.
Senior Associate/Auditor for SOX audit programs-KPMG.
Senior Information Security Compliance Manager-Sprint.
Senior Security Architect-Sprint.
Senior Network/Security Engineer-Shook, Hardy & Bacon.

Eric M. Smith

Senior Partner, Principal Security Consultant

CISSP, CISA, CCSA, CCNA, B.Sc. Information Security Systems

Highly qualified, trained, and certified Ethical Hacker with over 12 years of experience in the IT/IS industry. In depth focus on helping companies to design, implement, and improve their security controls resulting in better protection of their critical information assets. Well versed in a variety of Risk Assessment services helping clients to meet compliance with local laws, government regulations, and corporate initiatives. Experienced in network and application level vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, social engineering, wireless audits, architecture review, system hardening, and policy/ procedural development.

Professional Experience

Senior Security Consultant-Alternative Technology.
Senior Security Analyst-Equifax.
Senior Network Security Consultant-International Network Services.
Senior Information Security Engineer-GE Power Systems.
Information Security Engineer-Bellsouth.

Chris Gates

Partner, Principal Security Consultant

CISSP, CISA, GPEN, GCIH, B.Sc. Computer Science

Certified Professional with over 10 years of experience in the IT/IS industry whose main area of expertise is Network Security, Web Application Security, and Information Operations. Chris has a varied background working with government, military and commercial clients helping them improve their overall security posture through training, mentoring, performing vulnerability assessments and penetration testing.

Professional Experience

Senior Security Consultant-Rapid7.
Network Attack Team Lead-Applied Security Inc.
Penetration Tester-Booz Allen Hamilton.
Computer Exploitation Technician-US Army Red Team.
Signal Officer-US Army.