James Eckart is an Executive Security Advisor with the Microsoft Modern Work and Security. In this role, he is a trusted advisor to IT, security, privacy, compliance, legal and business executives as they proceed on their digital transformation journeys. Jim is also an expert advisor to Microsoft’s M12 Venture Capital Fund to drive the growth and success of portfolio companies. He regularly engages in public speaking, thought leadership, policy and standards engagements in support of secure digital transformation across the public and private sectors in the United States and internationally. He is also a board member on the National Security Technology Coalition where he continues to influence public and private standards and policy. Jim joined Microsoft following prior Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) roles at Eli Lilly and Company and most recently The Coca-Cola Company. In these roles, Jim delivered global business aligned digital risk programs, that balanced cyber risk, compliance and growth across multi-national organizations, global franchise systems and complex supplier networks. As a cybersecurity executive, Jim has extensive experience explaining to boards of directors how difficult-to-understand cybersecurity programs translate into results that boards do understand governance/risk/compliance, policy/standards/controls, third party risk management, information protection, insider threat, business continuity and shop floor security. Jim has also contributed thought leadership in forums such as World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Cybersecurity, Gartner’s Information Risk Management Research Board, National Technology Security Coalition and others. Jim is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana and now resides with his family in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Purdue University. He went on to earn his Chief Information Security Officer certification from the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy at Carnegie Mellon University. In his free time, he enjoys golfing and motorcycling with his family.
