Gartner Expert

David Senf

Sr Director Analyst

David Senf is Sr. Director Analyst in the Technology and Service Provider (TSP) group at Gartner, researching Emerging Technologies for security product and executive leaders. He advises startups and large providers alike on when and how to adapt their offerings and go-to-market strategy to capture emerging security market opportunities involving AI TRiSM / Agentic AI security, CTEM, disinformation and preemptive security. He has more than 25 years of practitioner, research, product management / strategy and M&A experience in the security industry.

Previous experience

Mr. Senf has a background in security services on the leadership team of a high growth MSSP. He evaluated investment and M&A opportunities within this role as well. Previously, he spent over a decade analyzing managed security providers and the markets within which they compete as a VP analyst at a major research firm. Earlier in his career, he had hands-on practitioner experience as a consultant working with large insurance, healthcare and federal government agencies. Additionally, he has lectured at the University of Toronto on information management and on services-oriented architecture. He has delivered numerous keynote presentations at security conferences and led CISO Summit at Black Hat / SecTor. Mr. Senf leads one of North America's largest security communities, TASK, with over 4000 active members, founded in 2004.

Professional background

BCE, Lead Cybersecurity Strategist, 4 years

IDC, VP Security and Infrastructure Research, 16 years

University of Toronto, Lecturer, 6 years

Areas of coverage
  • Emerging Technologies and Trends Impact on Products and Services

  • Technology Markets and Companies Insights for Investors

  • Establishing Product-Market Fit (PMF)

  • Verticalize Go-to-Market Strategy for Tech Providers

  • Create Differentiated Tech Service Offerings

Education

University of Toronto

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

AI security, Agentic AI, Generative AI security

02

Disinformation, Deepfakes, etc

03

Attack surface management, Preemptive Security, CTEM, Cyber Deception, AMTD, Vulnerability Management

04

Market forecasts for security, market opportunity, TAM

05

Security startup market fit, go-to-market strategies, market message