Tom Kirkham of Arkansas on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tom Kirkham. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Tom, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do you think is misunderstood about your business? 
A lot of people think we’re just the guys who fix computers — but that’s not what we do. Kirkham IronTech is about protecting businesses from cyberattacks that can literally take them out. And the biggest misunderstanding? People think cybersecurity is just an IT problem. It’s not. It’s a business problem that starts with leadership. We’re not trying to be the cheapest option — we’re here to be the most effective partner in keeping your company safe.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tom Kirkham, founder and CEO of Kirkham IronTech. We help businesses stay secure with smart IT and cybersecurity strategies. I’ve written two best-selling books — Hack the Rich and The Cyber Pandemic — to help people understand the real-world risks out there. Right now, I’m also working on a film project that builds on those same themes of technology, risk, and human behavior.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really changed how I see the world was when my name ended up on an ISIS kill list. It was surreal — I’m not a politician or soldier. It drove home how real and personal cyber threats can be. It’s not just about data or systems — it’s about lives, beliefs, and the ripple effects of what we do online. That moment solidified my mission to help people understand the true stakes of cybersecurity.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I used to think I had to do everything myself. After failing hard a few times trying to scale on my own, I realized leadership isn’t about doing it all, it’s about building the right team and trusting them to execute. That shift completely changed how I run Kirkham IronTech and how I think about growth. You can’t lead effectively if you’re stuck trying to control everything.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies in our industry is that cybersecurity can be fully automated — that you can just buy a product and you’re safe. That’s nonsense. Tools are important, but they’re useless without people who know how to use them and leadership that takes security seriously.

Another big lie is that ‘it won’t happen to us.’ I hear that all the time from businesses that think they’re too small or not interesting enough to be targeted. Every organization is a target. The bad guys don’t care who you are — they care about how easy you are to hack.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I left the world a little safer and a lot smarter. That I helped leaders understand cybersecurity isn’t just about technology — it’s about protecting people, livelihoods, and the future. I want to be remembered as someone who stood up, spoke the truth, and inspired others to take action before it was too late.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Life, Lessons, & Legacies

Shari Mocheit Put God first and trust the process. See God in everyone and everything.

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Del Kary Definitely what I was born to do. Since I can remember, movies have

Leadership Development
Increasing Your Capacity for Risk-Taking

The capacity to take risk is one of the biggest enablers of reaching your full