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?

I bring a unique blend of cybersecurity and mentalism to conferences and corporate events. Audience members learn about the breadth of social engineering techniques and to be more observant. The show inspires attendees to think outside of the box and have a fun time doing it.

Where do you speak?

Anywhere, although generally in the United States.

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 typical fee for a keynote is $7500 within 30 miles of St. Louis, $10k elsewhere within the US, and more than $10k outside of the US. Discounts are available for multi-event commitments made at the same time. The price can be higher or lower than these typical fees and depends upon a number of factors, such as the specific timing and travel involved, whether you’d like your attendees to take home magic kits, and what customizations may be needed. A 50% deposit is due at the time of booking, and the remainder is generally due on the event date. The exact terms and details can be negotiated and are in the contract that you will have an opportunity to review.

What is your cancellation policy?

The cancellation fee is generally the deposit amount. The exact terms and details are in the contract that you will have an opportunity to review.

What happens if you cancel?

I’ve never cancelled on a client before. But if I ever need to cancel, 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, and I’ll respond within a day to ask for a video call. We’ll talk about what you are looking for and whether my show would be a good fit for your audience. I’ll also provide you with a quote at that time. With this information in hand, you can let me know if you’d like to hire me to enhance your guests’ experiences with a mentalism performance!