Meet the Team
At IT Audit Labs, we understand your unique challenges and look forward to providing you with peace of mind and robust protection. Meet our specialists who combine deep technical knowledge with a personal commitment to addressing your information security needs.
Eric Brown
Managing Director
Eric enjoys the challenge of creating order from chaos, gravitating toward opportunities to improve organizational strategy and technical controls. In vCISO/vCIO roles, he excels at empowering technical teams by removing roadblocks and serving as a strategic technical voice within senior leadership. Eric's first vCISO role was actually landed during a vacation in Iceland, initially filling in for a couple of months but ultimately staying in the role for five years. Eric aspires to make valuable connections and solve challenging problems with our partners, clients, and the entire ITAL team. Outside of work, he enjoys aviation, finding peace and perspective offline, and above the clouds.
Expertise: vCISO, vCIO, Strategic Leadership
Kelly Venzke
Director of Business Operations
Kelly's dedication to cybersecurity stems from her commitment to protecting sensitive information and ensuring digital integrity. With a strong background in operations and project management, she excels in security awareness training and keeping partner organizations secure. At IT Audit Labs, Kelly has spearheaded initiatives to safeguard Personally Identifiable Information (PII) within Business Operations and HR, significantly reducing business risk and enhancing compliance. Her certifications, including PMP, KMP, and ITIL Foundations 4, underscore her expertise and dedication to the field. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys hiking, exploring nature, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, blending her professional rigor with a love for creativity and relaxation.
Expertise: Security Awareness Training, PMP, KPM
Victor Barge
Global Delivery Director
Victor's background in digital transformation, and change management makes him a valuable asset to IT Audit Labs and our clients. Before joining, he served as an Enterprise Solutions Director at Daugherty Business Solutions, where he developed capabilities, created solutions, and provided sales enablement. He also led DEI initiatives for the Twin Cities. At Prime Therapeutics, Victor led Infrastructure & Security PMO organizations, addressing the challenges of HIPAA, the Affordable Care Act, ransomware, and GDPR. He is particularly interested in how generative AI will shape the future of cybersecurity, creating new careers and opportunities to make the world more secure. Outside of work, Victor enjoys tennis, cycling and spending time with his dog.
Expertise: PMO, IT Transformation, HIPAA
Bill Harris
Principal Architect, CISSP
Bill entered the field of cybersecurity for the satisfaction of doing something meaningful, such as securing businesses and government agencies. He focuses on risk management, maturity and vulnerability assessments, and IT governance, holding a CISSP certification. Bill believes the next decade in cybersecurity will be shaped by advancements in AI and quantum computing, impacting both offense and defense. Outside of work, in his words, he enjoys "reading fiction and raising a child. I recommend both; you’ll get perspectives you wouldn’t otherwise have."
Expertise: vCISO, vCIO, Strategic Leadership
Nick Mellem
Security Engineer
Nick's fascination with technology, cultivated through hands-on experience in the Marine Corps, led him to a career in cybersecurity. He specializes in social engineering, enhancing clients' defenses by understanding adversary tactics, and compliance, navigating standards like PCI, FTI, CJI, CMMC, and NIST to ensure adherence to rigorous protocols. A career highlight was successfully leading a team to recover from a significant social engineering attack, reinforcing his passion for cybersecurity. Outside of work, he enjoys photography and firearm marksmanship with a focus on safety and technique.
Expertise: Social Engineering, Compliance, CMMC
Cameron Birkland
Security Engineer
Cameron found his passion for cybersecurity through an interest in computer viruses and analyzing massive cyber-attacks. As a key member of our Blue Team, he focuses his efforts on optimizing networking and firewalls to restrict attackers' movements. Outside of work, Cameron enjoys building his home lab with vintage hardware and spending time outdoors.
Expertise: Networking, Blue Team Operations
Mike Sorenson
Information Security Advisor
Mike began his cybersecurity career in 2007, helping customers automate patch management and security configurations to stay protected and compliant. With a background in endpoint management, he more than recognizes the growing need to protect customers' assets, helping them reduce risk and improve their processes. He sees the future of cybersecurity involving an explosion of AI, creating both new threats and prevention tools. When he's not in the office, Mike spends time with his family or playing a round of golf.
Expertise: Customer Success, Account Management
James Joyce
Information Security Advisor
James entered the cybersecurity field with a passion for preventing potential crimes and quickly found his niche. He recognizes the critical need for offensive security and attack simulation engagements, helping clients enhance their security posture through a unique, client-focused approach. His expertise in improving clients' security postures post-breach highlights his dedication to ensuring client success and peace of mind. Outside of work, he is a dedicated Minnesota sports fan, runner, golfer, and rec-league sports enthusiast.
Expertise: Offensive Security Assessments, Client Engagement
Bobby Dorman
Security Engineer
Bobby's curiosity and passion for computers naturally led him to a career in cybersecurity. Initially focused on teaching others to use computers, he soon moved into protecting and securing them as he noticed configuration issues. As a blue-team, defensive security expert with a background in sysadmin and infrastructure, Bobby excels in understanding business goals and implementing secure operations. At Essentia Health, he contributed to the $1 billion+ Level 1 trauma center project, gaining invaluable experience in large-scale, complex environments. Bobby enjoys spending quality time on his hobby farm with his family, four-wheeling, canoeing, and chopping wood.
Expertise: Blue Team, Defensive Security, Sysadmin/Infrastructure