Michael La Barge, the CEO of Datassurant, Inc., is a specialist in conducting vulnerability assessments, application security reviews, threat analysis, and building security controls into the software development lifecycle and conducting Enterprise Risk Assessments. Michael has taught Cyber Security Training to cadets at the New York State Trooper Academy in NY. Michael has also performed security, compliance and assurance services for many large government organizations and commercial companies, such as DHS, AOL, Freddie Mac and SecureInfo to name a few.

With over 20 years of security experience, Michael’s prior experience includes security consulting for Cybertrust, a Global Security Services organization recently acquired by Verizon Business, in the consulting firm's Risk Management and Compliance group. There he conducted security engagements in Canada, the United States, and Europe for a variety of Fortune 500 companies. Michael performed application security reviews, security governance strategy, threat risk assessments, Sarbanes-Oxley general computer controls, Payment Card Industry audits and remediation, identity management strategy, customer data privacy assessments and segregation of duties analysis and remediation.

Michael has also performed extensive threat analysis, source code reviews, and penetration testing for clients in many market segments including financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, and healthcare. He is often consulted for his expertise in application and network penetration testing. In his free time Michael often donates his time as a CISSP Instructor teaching the Application Security domain for local ISSA chapters.

Michael holds a dual concentration Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Management Information Science and Finance from the SUNY State University of New York at Albany, School of Business. Michael, among many other credentials, is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), a Certified Ethical Hacker (C | EH), a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and a GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH).