Director of Security and Compliance, Eric Karkau, just completed his fourth year at Guidant Partners. Eric has multiple Microsoft certifications, and is also a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Certified SonicWall Security Administrator (CSSA). Eric was hired in 2006 to build an internal IT Security department at Guidant Partners. He is constantly researching security trends and educating Guidant Partners' clients on the benefits of having pre-emptive antispyware, pre-emptive anti-virus, intrusion detection/prevention systems, and content filtering tools.

Eric is the security advocate for all of Guidant Partners' clients. His goal for 2010 is to continue to deliver enterprise level security services, and show clients the cost benefit to having Guidant Partners as their exclusive outsourced IT Security provider. He wants businesses to view Guidant Partners as their Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

Eric's business philosophy is "love what you do, and always communicate with others in a way that lets them know you appreciate their partnership." Eric is a member of ISSA, and a board member of Spring Meadows Academy.Karkau graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 1999 with a BSBA degree in Business Management/Management Information Systems. He is married and a proud father of four. Eric has a heart for missions, and is very involved in his church. And when he takes off his "security hat," he entertains as a part-time professional magician.