Andrew Whitaker (M.Sc., CISSP, CEI, LPT, CEH, CEPT, CPT, CICP, CHFI, ECSA, CCNP, CCSP, CCVP, CCDP, CCNA:Security, CCDA, CCENT, LPIC-1, MCT, MCTS, MCSE, CNE, EMCPA, CTP, A+, Network+, Security+, Convergence+, Linux+, CEREA, WAPT, CSSA) is a nationally recognized expert on computer hacking, an author of best-selling networking and security books, and an award winning technical trainer. He is a contributing author to seven books, including being the lead author on Penetration Testing and Network Defense (Cisco Press) and Chained Exploits: Advanced Hacking Attacks From Start to Finish (Addison-Wesley). His work has gathered media coverage by the Wall Street Journal, NBC, The Philadelphia Inquirer, San Francisco Gate, Business Week Magazine, and others. He is a frequent conference speaker and has given talks at GFIRST8, DefCon, TakeDownCon, ChicagoCon, and SecurePhilly. He has over 18 years of experience in information technology, with 13 of those years focused on ethical hacking. He currently works as the Senior Manager of the Cyber Attack Penetration Division at Knowledge Consulting Group. His team conducts penetration test assessments for numerous high-profile federal agencies and commercial organizations.