Rick Baca

Rick has over 30 years of experience investigating complex matters and over 16 years of experience conducting digital forensics. Prior to joining Digital Mountain, he worked as the Director of Global Investigations and Intelligence at Seagate Technology. In this role, Rick led teams responsible for investigating internal misconduct, protective intelligence, product anti-counterfeiting and pre-employment background investigations for the enterprise. Before joining Seagate, he worked for an eDiscovery and Digital Forensics firm as the Senior Director of Digital Forensics in Northern California. Rick also had the opportunity to work for Chevron as an IT Forensic Investigator and received a service award for leading Chevron’s internal threat monitoring team. He served as a police officer for the Walnut Creek Police Department for 10 years and was assigned to the Investigations Bureau where he investigated high-tech crimes and conducted digital forensics.

Rick provided digital forensics and investigative assistance to law enforcement agencies throughout the SF Bay Area and taught Peer to Peer network investigations for the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at the FBI Regional Lab in Menlo Park. He received a variety of recognition for digital forensic work including the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office National Victim’s Rights Week Award, Walnut Creek Police Department Officer of the Year Award, Walnut Creek Police Department Chief’s Commendation, and was nominated for the California Peace Officers Association Award of Distinction.

Rick earned his BS in Computer Forensics and Digital Investigations with honors from Champlain College and successfully passed the California Department of Justice Computer Forensics program. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner.