Bio of Gregory D. Evans

“Innovator,” “leader,” “visionary”—just a few of the terms that describe Gregory D. Evans, and the extraordinary range of talents and expertise that distinguish this multi-faceted author and cyber-security expert.

Gregory Evans is a man driven by two passions: technology and community, and he has made it his mission to use the former to serve the latter.  It was this mission that led him to found LIGATT Security (LIGATTSECURITY.com) in 2004.

Mr. Evans is a man of many sides, and wears many hats.  Following is a brief look at some of the roles he plays in the course of his exceptional career.

Entrepreneur

Providing helpful services to the public has always been at the forefront of Mr. Evans’ mind.  His abiding interest in the benefits of technology also enabled him to recognize the ways in which it could be misused by dishonest people—an insight that also placed him at the forefront of the movement to establish effective means of cyber-security.

Prior to founding LIGATT, Mr. Evans formed and operated The Cyber Group Network Corporation, a publicly traded computer security company specializing in stolen computer recovery.

While at the helm of Cyber Group, Mr. Evans became the first African-American to write a computer encryption program: Password Protection Information Retrieval Technology (PPIRT), which was sold in all major computer retail stores across the United States.

PPIRT was the first security software of its kind.  With its 2,048-bit encryption program and computer recovery technology, it had the ability to track stolen computers over both the Internet and landline telephones.

Since founding LIGATT, Mr. Evans has guided the company to spectacular growth.  It currently has over 65 computer security experts on staff, and has conducted more security penetration tests—designed to evaluate the effectiveness of businesses’ information systems defenses against intrusion by hackers— than any company in the nation. Its client list includes the FBI and other government agencies, banks, and even such entertainment luminaries as Jim Carrey and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges.

Educator

As a successful businessman, Gregory Evans has learned many secrets of success, and he shares those secrets with others as a renowned business educator. 

Mr. Evans has spoken and taught courses on many critical high-tech crime subjects, including Computer Crime Investigation, Identity Theft and Password Cracking and Recovery, to students and fellow professionals at dozens of community colleges, universities and government facilities, including Concordia College, Santa Monica City College, Irvine Valley College, Cal State Los Angeles and San Marcos, Pepperdine University, Anaheim City College, Rancho Santiago College, ITT in Duluth, Ga., and Los Angeles City College.

Media Personality

Gregory Evans’ leadership in high-tech security has even extended to his presence in the media.  Since the beginning of his career, he has been a consistent presence in broadcasting and print, informing millions of listeners, viewers and readers of ways to protect their valuable computer information against intrusion and theft.
 
In 2000, he produced and co-hosted Cyber Crime Radio, one of the first radio talk shows addressing high-tech crimes, on KIEV in Los Angeles, the nation’s second-largest radio market.  Mr. Evans also had a daily show, “The Cyber Security Minute,” on KNX 1070, on which he advised listeners on defending themselves against high-tech crime.

Aside from his own radio shows, Mr. Evans has also been a guest on other high-profile radio outlets, including the very popular syndicated Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden shows, discussing Identity Theft.

In addition to radio, Mr. Evans frequently appears as an authority on high-tech crime prevention on television and in print.  On The History Channel’s series, “Modern Marvels,” he demonstrated the often-startling capabilities of computer surveillance and the potential for destruction at the hands of cyber-terrorists, showed how spyware works, and taught viewers how to protect their wireless networks. In addition, he served as a consultant on NBC’s highly rated Dateline series, “To Catch a Predator.”

In the first 30 days of 2009, Mr. Evans appeared twice on Fox network’s “Fox & Friends,” as well as CBS news, and the world-famous Frank Ski morning radio show on Atlanta’s v103.  He was also named one of Black Enterprise magazine’s Top 20 “Masters of Innovation,” and has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines, including the LA Times, USA Today, Wells Fargo Business Journal, and JET magazine.

Author

Gregory Evans has written eight books on high-tech security issues.  His first, dedicated to laptop security, was entitled, “Laptop Security Short & Simple.” He also authored the first book ever dedicated to spyware, “The Spyware Reference & Study Guide.” 

Mr. Evans’ other titles include, “Memoirs of a Hi-Tech Hustler,” “The Hi-Tech Hustler Scrap Book,” “Hi-Tech Identity Theft Short and Simple,” “125 Ways to Protect Your Computer Short and Simple,” “How to become of the World’s No. 1 Hacker,” and “The Layman’s Guide to Fighting Hi-Tech Crime.”  He has also written articles for Upscale and Essence magazines.

High-Tech Innovator

Gregory Evans not only writes about, but also contributes to, the state and future of high-tech security.  He invented eSnitch (Electronic Snitching Device), the first wireless tracking device for computers, which makes it possible to track the position of a stolen computer anywhere in the world. 

Mr. Evans also developed and introduced one of the more sensational products of recent years with SPOOFEM.COM, a product that enables a caller to post any number in the recipient’s caller ID.  Since it launched in January 2007, SPOOFEM has attracted over 100,000 registered users, gaining so much popularity that Viacom network, BET, is slated to kick off a huge promotion campaign in the near future.

Community Benefactor

As a successful African-American entrepreneur, Gregory Evans realizes he has overcome the obstacles that block many others from similar accomplishments.  He believes in giving back to the community that has given so much to him, and is very much aware of his power to serve as a positive role model for young people who might otherwise gravitate toward unproductive or unlawful lifestyles.

Gregory Evans’ passion for technology was the key that opened the doors to his success.  He wants to pass that key to young people looking for their way in life, and help open their eyes to possibilities other than the popular but often unrealistic desires to become famous entertainers or athletes—sparking a flame of interest in technology in inner city youth, so that more computer geniuses can be developed.

One outstanding example of how Mr. Evans “walks the walk” in his efforts to serve his community is the computer giveaway program he created, in which he presents brand new laptop computers to four noteworthy students from inner-city churches and schools.  In partnership with renowned bishop Noel Jones, he completed this program in Sept. 2007 at the City of Refuge Church in Gardena, California, one of the nation’s largest churches.

In 2008, the City of Compton (Calif.) Planning and Economic Development Department honored Mr. Evans for his contribution of computers to the city’s Youth Day Celebration, as part of his ongoing efforts to increase technology awareness and knowledge in low-income communities

Trailblazer

Even after all his books, media appearances, and inventions, Gregory Evans still considers himself as being at the beginning of his task, standing on the brink of the vast, still largely unexplored frontier of technological security. 

There is still much work to be done, and much to be discovered; and that is the way Gregory Evans likes it.  Like those before him who set out in search of new and better solutions, Gregory Evans is a trailblazer, continuing his quest to excel and reach higher heights.

Gregory Evans’ Media & Recognition Portfolio