Nicholas Arico

As a non-lawyer, technical cybersecurity expert, Nick bridges the gap between our legal and technical professionals, working hand in hand to solve the most challenging cyber issues for clients.

Prior to joining the Firm, Nick began his FBI agent career in 2004 assigned to the Fresno Resident Agency of the Sacramento Field Office, where he worked violent crimes, bank robberies, white collar crime and cyber matters. During his tenure in Fresno, Nick established the Fresno Area Cyber Crimes Task Force, which brought federal state and local agencies together to combat computer intrusion violations and cybercrime. In 2008, Nick reported to the San Diego Field Office where he was assigned to their criminal cyber squad focusing on criminal computer intrusion matters.

Nick served as the case agent on numerous complex cyber investigations to include cyber undercover operations and high-profile criminal and National Security investigations. Nick spent two years at FBI Headquarters where he served as the Unit Chief for the Cyber Training and Education Unit and holds numerous industry recognized cyber certifications. He also completed a special assignment as an FBI Cyber Liaison Officer (LNO) to the Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

• Regularly engaged and presented to C-Suite, board members, and critical infrastructure partners, proactively identifying cybersecurity threats and guiding mitigation efforts while ensuring awareness of relevant ongoing national security challenges.
• Coordinated with public and private sector partners to identify and mitigate the impact of several Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups worldwide computer-hacking campaigns, safeguarding trade secrets and sensitive data from intrusion attempts targeting universities, companies, and governmental organizations across the globe.
• Played a key role in the investigation and exposure of a Chinese Advanced Persistent Threat group responsible for stealing trade secrets and sensitive data from various industries and countries.
• Led the development of the multi-agency Ransomware Task Force (JRTF) for CISA, coordinating resources and intelligence from 12 federal agencies to strengthen the nation’s ability to combat ransomware threats.

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), (ISC)
• GIAC Information Security Professional (GISP), Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
• Attorney General’s Award for Excellence in Furthering US National Security (2024)
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Award (2023)
• Excellence in the Pursuit of Justice Award, Southern District of California (2021)
• FBI Medal of Excellence (2016)
• Outstanding Performance Award, Eastern District of California (2008)

• InfraGard National Members Alliance, San Diego Cyber Council Representative
• Information Systems Audit and Control Association
• San Diego Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Roundtable
• San Diego Cyber Center of Excellence (CCOE)
• International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)