Howard A. Schmidt

Howard Schmidt joined Trident Capital as a Venture Consultant in May 2003. Previously, Howard served as Vice Chair of the President’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, reporting to Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor and Gov. Tom Ridge, Director of Homeland Security. Upon leaving his White House post, Howard joined eBay as its Chief Security Officer. With eBay’s consent, Howard agreed to consult with Trident on venture opportunities within the IT Security field and to serve on the board of directors of one or more Trident portfolio companies. He is currently on the board of Trident portfolio companies Qualys and Sygate.

Prior to joining the Critical Infrastructure Protection Board, Howard was the Chief Security Officer for Microsoft Corporation, where he oversaw the Security Strategies group, ensuring the development of a trusted computing environment via auditing, policy, best practices and incubation of security products and practices.

Howard has over 31 years of public service in law enforcement, computer forensics and IT Security. Before joining Microsoft, he was a Supervisory Special Agent, Director of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Computer Forensic Lab and Computer Crime and Information Warfare. (HQ AFOSI/CCI). He directed establishment of the first dedicated computer forensic lab in the government. Before AFOSI, Howard was with the FBI at the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) where he headed the Computer Exploitation Team as a Computer Forensic Specialist. He has also served as a municipal police officer, as an instructor at the FBI academy, and as a special investigator for the US Army Reserves. He is a current or former executive or board member on numerous national and international IT Security and Forensic Science organizations.

back to Team