Mike Howard
General Manager & Chief Security Officer
Microsoft Global Security
General Manager/Chief Security Officer (CSO) for Microsoft Global Security which is responsible for physical security activities worldwide for the Microsoft Corporation, the world's largest software company.
Mike has been with Microsoft since 2002 when he was first hired to run the Executive Protection Unit (EPU) responsible for protection of senior Microsoft leaders. In 2003, Mike was appointed to run all of Microsoft Global Security.
Microsoft Global Security encompasses: Executive Protection, North American Operations, International Operations, Investigations, Background Investigations, Risk Mitigation/Crisis Management, Security Technology, Communications/Strategy/Budget, Intelligence and Analysis and Education & Awareness.
Microsoft Global Security also has three Global Security Operations Centers (GSOCs), which are responsible for global monitoring and response. These GSOCs are located at Microsoft campuses in Redmond, WA; Hyderabad, India and the United Kingdom.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Mike spent 23 years with the Central Intelligence Agency. For the first six years, Mike worked in the Agency's Office of Security where he conducted Background Investigations/Adjudications and also worked as a member of the Director of Central Intelligence's Security Staff.
Mike then transferred to the Directorate of Operations where he served in various operational positions for the bulk of his career. Mike spent most of his time at CIA working as part of the Counterterrorist Center. Mike ran global programs and served in assignments primarily in Asia and Africa, though he did have some assignments in the Middle East and Europe.
During his CIA career, Mike also served rotational assignments with the Agency's HR Staff on Career Development issues and, at one point, was in Recruiting as the Senior Recruiter for the Agency in Operations. Mike was also Executive Officer for the Agency's Office of Military Affairs (OMA) and worked as a Special Investigator for the Agency's Office of Inspector General (OIG). Mike ended his career at the Agency with the National Resources Division as a Chief of Station.
Mike worked as Police Officer in Oakland, California in the late 1970s. He served in Patrol Division as well as in a Burglary Task Force.
Mike was born in Boston, but considers the Monterey Peninsula in California as his home. Mike is an "Army Brat" and his father served in the U.S. Army, primarily out of Fort Ord, California on the Monterey Peninsula during Mike's formative years.
Mike holds a BS Degree in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Sociology from San Jose State University in California. Mike is married and has no children. Mike has been involved in martial arts since the age of 14 and has studied a variety of styles including Jujitsu, Karate, Judo and Aikido. Mike holds a Black Belt in Aikido.