# Jay Kim

> Jay Kim is the founder and CEO of DataLocker, an Overland Park company that builds encrypted storage hardware and centralized device-management software. Trained in pharmacy and international business, Kim entered cybersecurity after a chance introduction in a Korean hotel elevator in 2007. He went on to commercialize touchscreen-authenticated storage technology, guide DataLocker through acquisitions and international growth, earn recognition from EY and the Export-Import Bank of the United States, and serve Kansas City institutions including UMKC.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at DataLocker
- **Organizations:** DataLocker, University of Missouri-Kansas City Trustees, Council of Korean Americans, Axiom Strategies, AFCEA Kansas City Chapter, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Biology and Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Kansas, MBA in International Business, George Washington University School of Business
- **Known for:** Co-founded DataLocker in 2007 and led its growth into international markets., Named a 2017 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist in the Central Midwest region., Led DataLocker when it received a 2020 Exporter of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Began working on e-commerce ventures during the dot-com boom, according to a 2013 interview.
- **2001-2015** — Served as a director at QMD International, a supplier to the home-appliance industry.
- **2007** — Co-founded DataLocker after a chance introduction in a hotel elevator in Korea.
- **2008** — DataLocker's secure drive was shown at CES and recognized by MSNBC among the event's business products.
- **2010** — Joined the Pipeline technology entrepreneur fellowship class.
- **2015** — DataLocker acquired BlockMaster AB and its SafeConsole management technology.
- **2016** — DataLocker and Kingston Technology divided parts of the IronKey business, with DataLocker acquiring enterprise management services and encrypted hard drives.
- **2017** — Named an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Central Midwest finalist.
- **2020** — DataLocker received an Exporter of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
- **2021** — Began serving as a community trustee for the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
- **2025** — DataLocker announced FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validations for both a portable hard drive and USB flash drive while maintaining TAA compliance.

## Achievements

- Co-founded DataLocker in 2007 and led its growth into international markets.
- Named a 2017 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year finalist in the Central Midwest region.
- Led DataLocker when it received a 2020 Exporter of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
- Listed as an inventor on DataLocker patents concerning encrypted storage and secure data management.
- Received the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City's Entrepreneur of the Year recognition in 2013.
- Serves as a community trustee for the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Kim promoted and attended an AFCEA Kansas City discussion on cyber threats to the defense industrial base.
- **2025-12** — DataLocker announced FIPS 140-3 Level 3 validations for its DL4 portable hard drive and Sentry K350 USB flash drive, both with TAA-compliant supply chains.
- **2026-01** — Kim publicly credited AFCEA participation as important to DataLocker's progress in U.S. federal and military markets.

## Links

- Website: https://datalocker.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jwkim
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/datalocker
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/datalocker

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jay-kim
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-26