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Erik Pace Birkholz was a Founder of Special Ops Security. Since 1995, Birkholz has performed hundreds of vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, host security reviews, web application assessments and security infrastructure reviews for many of the largest corporations in the world. He is the author of the best-selling book, SPECIAL OPS: Host and Network Security for Microsoft, UNIX and Oracle. He is also a contributing author of five international best-selling books including SQL Server Security, Hacking Windows 2000 Exposed and three editions of the international best-selling series, Hacking Exposed: Network Security Secrets and Solutions. Most recently, as Series Editor he authored the Foreword for Security Sage’s Guide to Hardening the Network Infrastructure.

Erik is an award-winning speaker who has presented to audiences worldwide, including NATO, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council including the Federal Reserve System, FDIC, NCUA, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of Thrift Supervision and to members of many United States government agencies, including the Pentagon, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency and most branches of the Department of Defense. Additionally, Erik has presented at five of the Black Hat Briefings, RSA Conference, SANS Institute, Microsoft Global Briefings, Microsoft’s Windows Development Team, ISSA, ISACA, TISC, WCSF and as a VIP speaker for the Microsoft Exchange Conference.

Before starting Special Ops, Erik was a charter employee of Foundstone, a leader in security consulting and training, until its acquisition by McAfee in October 2004. Prior to his role of Principal Consultant at Foundstone in 2000, he served as the West Coast Assessment Lead for Internet Security Systems, a Senior Consultant for Ernst & Young's National Attack and Penetration team and a Consultant for KPMG’s Information Risk Management group.

Erik earned a degree in Computer Science from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (established 1773) and was later named a Metzger Conway Fellow in 1999, an award presented to distinguished Dickinson alumni who have achieved excellence in his or her field of study.