As an AWS Enterprise Security Strategist, Clarke is passionate about helping executives explore how the cloud can transform security and working with them to find the right enterprise solutions.

Clarke joined AWS in 2016, but his experience with the advantages of AWS security started well before he became part of the team. In his role as CISO for a multinational life reinsurance provider, he oversaw a strategic division’s all-in migration to AWS in 2015. At a time when some companies avoided moving to the cloud because of strict security requirements, their migration was actually driven by security requirements, with a goal of achieving Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 accreditation to demonstrate the company’s protection of its very sensitive personal data.

The move was a resounding success. Not only did the division receive the accreditation, but the switch resulted in higher availability and operational agility, increasing security while reducing operational overhead.

Now, Clarke brings his AWS migration experience and more than 20 years in security, risk, and compliance roles to guide enterprise customers in their cloud transformation journeys.

Clarke knows firsthand that moving to the cloud is not trivial. But he firmly believes that most organizations can be more secure in the cloud than in their own data centers. He’s an evangelist for helping enterprises achieve business, IT, and security outcomes that ultimately free them up to focus on their core business.

Clarke attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and began his career in a different type of security — serving as a United States Marine. Clarke resides in San Diego, CA.