01
Investigator
Digital evidence, incident response, privacy questions, and the technical facts behind complex disputes.
Chicago · Digital forensics · Information security
Field notes / 001Evidence before assumptions
BrianSemrau
Areas of focus
- Digital forensics
- Incident response
- Security consulting
- Privacy
01 / Profile
Investigator · Builder · Educator
Security work grounded in evidence and real-world constraints.
Brian is the Director of IT and a Senior Digital Forensic Investigator at Edelson PC, the founder of Infosec Chicago, and an adjunct faculty member at Triton College. His work sits at the intersection of technology, investigations, privacy, and practical risk reduction for small and midsize organizations.
02
Security leader
Resilient systems and proportionate controls designed around how an organization actually works.
03
Educator
Hands-on instruction that turns security concepts into practical, repeatable skills.
02 / Experience
Built across investigations, infrastructure, and instruction.
Nearly two decades of solving technical problems, from the repair bench to enterprise security, independent consulting, litigation, and the classroom.
2024 - Present
Triton College
Computer Information Systems Adjunct Faculty
Teaching applied courses in digital forensics, ethical hacking, Windows Server administration, and business technology.
River Grove, Illinois2018 - Present
Edelson PC
Director of IT / Senior Digital Forensic Investigator
Leading technology operations and conducting security, privacy, and digital-forensic investigations for complex technology-related cases.
Chicago, Illinois2007 - Present
Infosec Chicago
Founder & CEO
Helping small and midsize businesses reduce risk through practical, defense-in-depth security programs and independent investigations.
Chicagoland2015 - 2018
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock
Security Engineer
Supported enterprise security engineering and the protection of business-critical systems and operations.
Oak Brook, Illinois2014 - 2015
WIIT 88.9 FM Chicago
Technical Director
Led technical production and broadcast operations for Illinois Tech's student-run radio station.
Chicago, Illinois2013 - 2015
TigerDirect
Lead Technician
Solved a wide range of hands-on hardware, software, and customer technology problems.
Naperville, Illinois03 / Credentials
Qualified to follow the evidence wherever it leads.
Academic grounding, specialist investigation credentials, and an Illinois private detective license support work that can move from technical detail to defensible conclusions.
2021Master of Cyber Forensics and SecurityIllinois Institute of Technology
2019Board Certified Expert in Cyber Investigations (CECI)McAfee Institute
2017Board Certified Forensic HiTech Investigator (CFHI)McAfee Institute
2017OSForensics Certified Examiner & Triage CertificationPassMark Software · Credentials 90301-4 / 90301-5
2017Bachelor of Applied ScienceIllinois Institute of Technology
IllinoisLicensed Private DetectiveLicense 115.013078
04 / Teaching & public work
Making security knowledge useful beyond the case at hand.
Courses, conference sessions, research, and conversations that make digital forensics and security more approachable.
Introduction to Computer Forensics (CIS-238)
Triton College
- Fall 2026
- Fall 2025
- Fall 2024
Vulnerability Analysis & Ethical Hacking (CIS-227)
Triton College
- Summer 2026
- Spring 2026
- Spring 2024
Advanced Computer Forensics
Triton College
- Spring 2026
Administering Windows Server (CIS-174)
Triton College
- Spring 2025
Computer Systems & Business Applications (CIS-101)
Triton College
- Spring 2024
Working in Digital Forensics
University of Washington
Operationalizing an Integrated Cybersecurity and Data Protection Stack
Acronis #CyberFit
Ransomware's Impact on Businesses Today
Industry panel discussion
When Privacy Law Goes “Bump in the Night”
Semsec
Working in cybersecurity and digital forensics
Cybersecurity Expert Podcast
Hands-on Live Malware Analysis 101
ITO Compass Conference
Cyber Security for the Whole Family
Parent Pump Radio
Masochism Meets Technology: Working in Cyber Forensics
ITO Compass Conference
A Tech's Guide to Evaluating Endpoint Security
Semsec
Bose Connect Privacy Evaluation
Independent privacy analysis
05 / Beyond the brief
Curiosity does not clock out
Side projects, photography, broadcast, and stage lighting.
When Brian is not investigating or teaching, he is usually building something, shooting photos, producing audio and video, working front of house, or designing a new lighting rig.