Demetrios Lazarikos (Laz), a recognized visionary for building Information Security, fraud, and big data analytics solutions, is the Founder and IT Security Strategist for Blue Lava Consulting.

Laz has more than 30 years' experience in building and supporting some of the largest InfoSec programs for financial services, retail, hospitality, and transportation verticals. Some of his past roles include: CISO at vArmour, CISO at Sears, CISO at Silver Tail Systems (acquired by RSA/EMC), VP of Strategic Initiatives at ReddShell Corporation (acquired by TrustWave), and a former PCI QSA.

Laz is an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University's Graziadio School of Business and Management. He holds a Master’s in Computer Information Security from the University of Denver and an MBA from Pepperdine University, and has earned several security and compliance certifications.