# Parham Eftekhari

> Founder and Chairman of ICIT (Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology, founded 2014) and Executive Vice President, Communities at CyberRisk Alliance. Two decades at the intersection of critical infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and national security. Based in Chicago.

## Focus areas
Critical Infrastructure · Cybersecurity · National Security · Emerging Technology · Policy · Public-Private Partnership

## Expertise
- Domain Expertise: Draws from thousands of one-on-one hours with senior technology and national security executives.
- Executive Insights: Knows how CISOs and C-suite leaders engage, learn, and make decisions.
- Trusted Convener: Curates rooms, sets agendas, and leads conversations where the C-suite shows up and speaks candidly.
- Products + Partnerships: Builds and launches new offerings, brands, and partnerships, with a track record of innovation from consumer products to executive programs.
- Consensus Builder: Hears what each stakeholder needs and translates it into a shared message that moves everyone toward the same outcome.
- Operational Leadership: Brings financial fluency and hands-on experience integrating businesses.

## Current roles
- CyberRisk Alliance — Executive Vice President, Communities (2019 to present)
- ICIT — Founder & Chairman (2014 to present)
- ArmorxAI — Advisor + Seed Investor (2025 to present)
- Gray Space Strategies — Senior Advisor (2024 to present)
- MazeBolt — Advisor (2022 to present)
- Harvard Business School — Visiting Mentor (2025 to present)

## Recognition
- 2025 — Champion Award, The Cyber Guild Leadership Recognition Awards
- 2024 — Congressional Commendation from the Ranking Member, House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, recognizing 10 years of service to national security and critical infrastructure resilience
- 2017 — (ISC)² Government Information Security Leadership Award, Most Valuable Industry Partner

## Education
- BBA, Marketing & International Business — University of Wisconsin–Madison, Grainger School of Business, 2002
- International Business & Marketing — ESCP Business School, Paris
- Executive Program: AI + Business Strategy — MIT Sloan School of Management, 2023

## Media, speaking, and publications
- [TEDx: Are You Our Best Hope for Cybersecurity?](https://www.ted.com/talks/parham_eftekhari_are_you_our_best_hope_for_cybersecurity)
- [Congressional Briefing](https://youtu.be/8tJwxnpQD8s)
- [C-SPAN](https://www.c-span.org/person/?104415)
- [ICIT founder on AI, quantum, and critical infrastructure — SC Media, 2026](https://www.scworld.com/feature/icit-founder-on-ai-quantum-and-critical-infrastructure)
- [Why Hackers Want Your Health Information — The Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/why-hackers-want-your-health-information-8780ed0d)
- [CEOs Must Lead a Whole-of-Nation Response to Ransomware — SC Media](https://www.scmagazine.com/news/critical-infrastructure/an-operational-imperative-and-competitive-advantage-ceos-must-lead-whole-of-nation-response-to-ransomware)
- [Supply Chains Must Deliver Uncompromised Systems — National Defense Magazine](https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2018/12/5/viewpoint-supply-chain-must-deliver-uncompromised-systems)
- [Securing the Nation's Critical Infrastructures — Routledge (contributor)](https://www.routledge.com/Securing-the-Nations-Critical-Infrastructures-A-Guide-for-the-2021-2025/Spaniel/p/book/9781032152080)

## Disambiguation
This Parham Eftekhari is the cybersecurity and national security executive based in Chicago, not the physician of the same name.

## Contact
[LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/parhamtech/)