James Potter
Security Architect,
Founder, Mentor, Speaker
James Potter is a tinkerer by nature. A true son of Detroit, some of his earliest problem solving skills developed under the engine block of an American-made V8.
This passion for untangling complex issues has driven James since the start of his career. By the time his friends were preparing for college graduation, James had already spent 5 years working full time in IT. His first stop was the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business followed by H&R Block where he helped propel his team to the coveted position of Michigan's top office for security for two consecutive years.
Those early wins were just a taste of things to come. When Microsoft released Active Directory in 1999, James found himself on the vanguard of this foundational tool. He immersed himself in all things AD, finding a niche that would become a focal point of his work—including a stint with Microsoft as an Active Directory Architect.
With this experience in his back pocket, James was courted into the world of consulting firms, working for three of the “Big Four” consultancies: EY, PwC, and KPMG.
As a consultant, James became part of a nimble workforce that enabled rapid security deployments within organizations with vastly differing structures. His experience spanned verticals, deciphering the cultures, needs, and pitfalls that faced Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 organizations in retail and hospitality, banking and finance, technology, healthcare, and more.
The consulting world showed James the importance of mentorship. Observing the widening skills gap in cybersecurity, James knew the importance of the knowledge he held and took up another mantle: teacher. He quickly began to live a double life as consultant and professor at CodeFellows. As one of James students said:
“I spent 18 months taking classes including Advanced Java, Python, and Cyber Security at Code Fellows. James was by far the most knowledgeable instructor, he always had the answer. Especially when it comes to Windows Active Directory and PowerShell, his depth of knowledge and experience was an asset to all of his students. ”
After years working with the “Big Four,” James found himself yearning for a different type of consulting environment. James knew he had an arsenal of experiences few could match, and a deep pool of former colleagues and experts he trusted. With this and his unyielding commitment to safeguarding digital landscapes as a foundation, James Potter founded DSE in 2019. By 2020, James had pulled together a team he trusted, all while forging a culture of growth and inclusion.
As the CEO, James channels his insights and acumen into the development of cybersecurity solutions that fortify and empower businesses to thrive securely in the digital age. Leading executives trust James and the DSE team with proactively protecting them against some of the most menacing cybersecurity threats the market faces today.
In 2023 James and DSE launched their Global Threat Report as way to share insights with the broader cybersecurity community. DSE experts identified and analyzed thousands of pages of metrics and reports from around the world comparing them with in-house experience and data to help organizations prepare for potential cyber threats.
James continues to grow DSE, helping organizations large and small secure their digital infrastructure. When he’s not working with clients or guest speaking at a conference or on a podcast, James can be found getting back to his Michigan roots. He spends his free time elbow deep in the engine block of a vintage truck, often with one of his kids (human or goat), possibly a chicken by his side. He is grateful for the love and support of his family, and in particular his wife Jenny.
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