Kirk McClain
Chief Security Officer, Accenture Federal Services
Since joining Accenture Federal Services mid-2022, Kirk McClain has been working across the company to enhance the value and return his team provides to the company. This focus on value and impact does not compromise Accenture Federal Services’ core responsibilities for such things like compliance, risk management, performance and reporting, and it ensures the company is getting the best performance and value from its security programs.
For example, during calendar year 2023, McClain’s team took on an initiative to improve personnel security vetting, processing time and metrics, which resulted in an estimated $100 million of net revenue benefit to the company. In addition, during its most recent DCSA inspection, Accenture Federal Services’ largest FCL received a “Superior” rating, something less than 6% of industry receives under the current DCSA rating system.
Why Watch
McClain’s team is committed to continuously enhancing its program capabilities, tools and services to support Accenture Federal Services’ strategic business and people goals. Upholding a “Security First” mantra, the team is dedicated to rejecting the status quo and strives for ongoing improvement in all its activities and deliverables.
While the team remains heavily focused on Accenture Federal Services compliance and risk management in 2024, it’s simultaneously managing no less than nine parallel initiatives this calendar year to further increase performance, value and contribution to the company, internal customers and ultimately to clients.
“When I joined Accenture Federal Services and first met with my team, I told them I would only ever ask of them what I ask of myself: First, always do what is right and in the best interest of the company,” McClain said. “Secondly, no matter what our job is, we are all equally as important people. Treat everyone with fairness, equality and transparency. Thirdly, don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo. We are all accountable for our actions and our team performance.”
Fun fact: McClain served 34 rewarding years at the CIA before transitioning to private industry, enjoying every day of his career. He traveled extensively and supported many significant and challenging operations. Given the chance, McClain would eagerly repeat his career and recommends others seeking an exciting opportunity to consider a similar path.
