Gartner Expert

Zachary Smith

Director Analyst

Zachary Smith is a Director Analyst for Identity and Access Management (IAM), creating insights and actionable guidance for CISOs, CIOs, and IAM leaders on their most important IAM challenges. Specific areas of expertise include IAM Program, Leadership, Governance, Communication & Metrics, and IAM AI strategy.

Zachary lives in Fort Washington, MD USA with his wife and their three cats who can usually be found sleeping on his desk.

Previous experience

In previous roles, Zachary led research in the areas of cybersecurity risks (and uses) of generative AI, CISO effectiveness, executive communications, and third-party cybersecurity risk management, and Prior to joining Gartner, Zachary was a university professor, teaching students across all majors and researching how to translate complex topics into modern solutions.

Areas of coverage
  • Identity and Access Management

  • Cyber Risk

  • Cybersecurity Leadership

  • Demonstrate Value and Collaborate With Business Partners

  • Build and Optimize Cybersecurity Programs

Education

PhD, Yale University

MA, MPhil, Yale University

BA University of Missouri-Kansas City

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

Identity and Access Management Program

02

Identity and Access Management Leadership

03

Identity and Access Management Communications and Metrics

04

Identity and Access Management Business Case

05

Identity and Access Management for GenAI & AI agents