Sam Kinch

Sam Kinch is the Director of Technical Accountment Management for Tanium with more than 20 years of cyber offense operations expertise – building, optimizing and streamlining Department of Defense (DoD), intelligence community, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cybersecurity initiatives. An adept collaborator experienced in bridging gaps across public sector organizations, Kinch brings a strong passion for solving complex challenges, leading multi-disciplinary teams, building coalitions, and establishing international partnerships and programs to his role at Tanium. Having served in two branches of the military and with roles in several defense commands, Kinch’s career includes serving as Director of the Technical Security Team for DHS, serving as the National Guard’s Chief Advisor to U.S. Cyber Command, and providing critical expertise to the Defense Science Board on studies supporting the DOD scientific and technical enterprise, among other notable accomplishments. He was also an NSA Exploitation Analyst for over 100 cyberspace and intelligence operations. Kinch gives back to important nonprofit causes that focus on cyber issues, serving as the President and Chief Executive Officer for Ascend, Inc., and as Chief Operations Officer for Hackers for Charity. He is also an active member of the National Guard Association of the United States as well as the Military Cyber Professionals Association. His decorations and honors include the Defense Superior Service Medal, meritorious service medals, U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force commendation and achievement medals, United Nations and NATO medals, as well as the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. Kinch graduated from the University of Delaware, earning his Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources and an officer commission through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corp program. He holds numerous certifications from National Defense University and the Air Force Institute of Technology Air University, along with multiple professional cyber certifications, including ISC2 CISSP, SANS GPEN, and CCNA.