FAQ

Who am I?

Gary S. Chan, Security Mentalist and Speaker, https://www.linkedin.com/in/gschan2000/

I have decades of experience in security and am trained in behavioral profiling, conflict management, negotiation, interrogation, and mediation. I architected anti-fraud systems for state agencies, led the information security teams for a large-cap technology company, currently own a security consulting company (Alfizo.com), currently lead the security teams for a large multi-state healthcare system, and was an evaluator and mentor for cybersecurity start-ups as part of a venture capital fund. I served as President of the FBI St. Louis Citizens Academy Alumni Association and Technology Officer for the Greater St. Louis Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. I hold four security certifications and a degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science from MIT.

What types of events do you specialize in?

Conferences and corporate events. Audience members learn about the breadth of social engineering techniques and to be more observant. The presentation inspires attendees to think outside of the box and have a fun time doing it.

Where do you speak?

Anywhere in the world, although primarily in the United States. The audience must be proficient in English.

Are there any physical items that audience members can bring home?

The learning and fun don’t need to end at the end of the event.  Your participants can bring home a magic kit to play with and share with their kids.  These teach security concepts, provide entertainment, and build confidence for public speaking.

What is the fee?

The fee for a keynote is typically at least $10k, including travel expenses and taxes. Discounts are available for multiple bookings committed at the same time. Most clients also purchase $500 worth of magic kits for their attendees; some clients prefer not to buy kits. There are no additional fees or gratuity.

A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking to reserve the date, and the remainder is generally due within 14 days after the event date. The exact terms and details are in the contract that you will have an opportunity to review.

How long is the keynote?

Every keynote presentation is customized for the client and ranges in duration from 15 minutes to 80 minutes.

Almost all clients opt for a 50-minute keynote to fit into a 1-hour time slot.  The remaining 10 minutes are for an emcee introduction, other event announcements, and a break before the next session.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you cancel, the cancellation fee is generally the deposit amount. If I cancel (which I’ve never done before), I’ll refund anything you already paid. The exact terms and details are in the contract that you will have an opportunity to review.

What is a mentalist?

Mentalists and magicians both create magical outcomes, so they are both commonly referred to as magicians.  However, mentalists and magicians create magic in different ways.

A mentalist specializes in psychological games, whereas a magician oftentimes relies upon dexterity.  Whereas a magician might use sleight of hand to find your card, a mentalist will use mind games to determine which card you thought of.

Similar to a magic show, my show is highly interactive and engaging with the audience.  Audience members will be joining me on stage throughout the event.

Why are you called a “security mentalist” and not just “mentalist”?

Many of my demonstrations are based on security concepts and can also be used as part of a security awareness program.  I use game theory, math, and other techniques to understand, predict, and influence people.  For example, I use interrogation techniques to perform a truth or lie detection.

How do I hire a security mentalist?

Please fill out the contact form below with as many details as you can, and I’ll generally respond within a day.