Security Expert and Ethical Hacker, with three decades of experience in cybersecurity and over 30 certifications in information technology, security and privacy.

Alex Fry, Industrial Control Systems Security Professional – Alex is a well-known industry veteran with over thirty information technology, security, and privacy certifications and is a GIAC Security Expert (GSE) # 146. Alex has a background in mechanical and electrical systems engineering as an operational engineer and design engineer in manufacturing plants, power plants, and commercial ships. After transitioning careers to software development, network engineering, and cybersecurity, he conducted security testing in environments with highly sensitive operational technology assets in manufacturing plants, power plants, electric utilities, hospitals, and commercial aircraft and has held high-profile positions related to industrial control systems such as a cybersecurity subject matter expert for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Alex holds a master’s degree in information security engineering and is currently enrolled in the Industrial Control Systems Security program at the SANS Technology Institute (STI). So far in the program, he has completed the SANS ICS410: ICS/SCADA Cybersecurity Essentials and SANS ICS515: ICS Visibility, Detection, and Response courses and obtained the Global Industrial Cybersecurity Professional (GICSP) and the GIAC Response and Industrial Defense (GRID) certifications. Alex has a bachelor's degree in marine engineering systems from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA). He holds an active Chief Engineer (Limited) Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

Chris Haller is an Industrial Control Systems Security Professional with over 12 years of expertise in Penetration Testing, Incident Response, Risk Evaluation, Threat Intelligence, and System Administration. He has earned his certification as GIAC Security Expert # 329. During his tenure with the Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command, Chris spearheaded incident management for attacks on classified and unclassified global Navy networks. He holds a Master's in Cybersecurity Management and Policy, a Graduate Certificate in Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking, and numerous certifications, including CISSP, GICSP, GPEN, and GXPN. His work has led to over a dozen CVE's, showcasing his talent for identifying intricate vulnerabilities often overlooked by conventional scanning tools.

Chris is enrolled in the SANS.edu Graduate Certificate for Industrial Control System Security to complement his knowledge in securing and evaluating ICS and SCADA networks. He has completed the SANS ICS410: ICS/SCADA Cybersecurity Essentials and SANS ICS515: ICS Visibility, Detection, and Response courses and obtained the Global Industrial Cybersecurity Professional (GICSP) and the GIAC Response and Industrial Defense (GRID) certifications. His expertise focuses on identifying and attempting to exploit trust boundaries between security enclaves, allowing organizations with highly sensitive operational technologies to benefit from accurate assessments of risk leveraging Cyber Threat Intelligence.

Chris is a multiple-time champion in the National Cyber League and the Red vs. Blue coach for the US Cyber Team. He recently co-authored a book, The Hack is Back: Techniques to Beat Hackers at Their Own Games, which was published by CRC Press in August 2024.

Hitarth Patel is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with eight years of experience in attacking and securing critical systems. As a Penetration Tester at Strong Crypto Innovations, Hitarth has conducted security assessments across highly regulated industries, including financial services, education, healthcare, and critical infrastructure. His expertise in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities has made him a valuable asset in enhancing the security posture of numerous organizations.

In addition to his role in cybersecurity, Hitarth is an accomplished software developer with a profound expertise in artificial intelligence. He holds a Master of Science in Information Security Engineering from the SANS Technology Institute and a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the College of Charleston. Hitarth has crafted innovative applications and solutions that leverage his AI expertise to drive automation and efficiency.

Hitarth is a professional programmer and exploit developer. He contributes to open-source Java projects and designs interactive web components used by hundreds of organizations. He has authored a published research paper for GIAC, showcasing his commitment to pushing the boundaries of knowledge. His certifications include GSEC, GCIH, GCIA, GCPM, GWAPT, GXPN, GPEN, GCCC, and GDSA.

Beyond his technical skills, Hitarth's comprehensive training in project management, holding a certification in Project Management (GCPM), enables him to effectively manage complex projects, ensuring successful outcomes and timely delivery. His continuous pursuit of knowledge keeps him at the forefront of technological advancements, with skills in machine learning, blockchain, and generative artificial intelligence.