About Tom

Tom Kemp is a Silicon Valley-based author, policy advisor, and entrepreneur.

Tom is the author of Containing Big Tech: How to Protect our Civil Rights, Economy, and Democracy, an award-winning book that experts called “prescient,” “very timely,” and “essential reading." Tom’s book was a best-seller and top new release in multiple Amazon categories (e.g., “Privacy & Surveillance” and “Computer & Internet Law.”).

Tom has served as a volunteer technology policy advisor for political campaigns, legislators, and civil society groups. His advocacy work includes leading the campaign marketing efforts in 2020 to pass California Proposition 24 (the California Privacy Rights Act) and advising and contributing to the passage of state privacy laws in 2023, such as California SB 362 (the California Delete Act) and Texas SB 2105 (Texas’ data broker registry law). In 2024, Tom collaborated with advocacy groups and legislative leaders on California SB 942 (the California AI Transparency Act). For his pro bono advisory work, Tom received commendations in 2024 from the California State Senate and the Texas State Senate.

Tom was the founder and CEO of Centrify (renamed Delinea in 2022), a leading cybersecurity cloud provider that amassed over two thousand enterprise customers, including over 60 percent of the Fortune 50. For his leadership, Tom was named by Ernst & Young as a Finalist for Entrepreneur of the Year in Northern California. Tom has also angel-invested in startups in the past, with seed investments in over fifteen tech start-ups. In 2024 Tom was named an “Identity 25” recipient by Okta for being one of the top trailblazers in the field of digital identity.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and in history from the University of Michigan.