The 2021 Top 25 Consultants: Kyung Kim

Kyung Kim is a Senior Managing Director and Head of FTI Consulting's Cybersecurity practice for the Asia Pacific region. He is an expert in cybersecurity, privacy, risk management, and national security matters, having served as the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.

Kyung provides top-level cyber readiness, incident response, and complex investigations support to a variety of clients in the manufacturing industry. Kyung aided an international electronics manufacturer, who was the victim of a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. The advanced persistent threat group behind the attack demanded ransom to prevent another DDoS attack against their network. Kyung worked with the client's IT team and Internet service provider to broaden their bandwidth, identify the specific type of DDoS attack, and successfully implement mitigation steps to prevent another attack.

Beyond client work, Kyung demonstrates his expertise in thought leadership on threats facing the industry including, insider threats, phishing, and supply chain cyber-attacks. Kyung has appeared on Bloomberg Daybreak Asia and NHK, a Japanese public TV program, provided commentary in publications such as Nikkei Asia, Thomson Reuters, and Asian Legal Business, and is a regular keynote speaker in virtual events hosted by major regional law firms.

What do you consider your greatest personal or professional achievement?

"It has been a great honor and privilege to serve in various law enforcement positions all over the globe. From my start in the Philadelphia Police Department to my time at the CIA and FBI, my professional career has focused on ensuring a safer world and combatting threats, whether they are physical or digital. I am fortunate enough to continue this work in the private sector in my current role at FTI Consulting."

What advice would you give to a professional just beginning a career in consulting?

"I would advise young professionals to learn as much as they can from their colleagues. In consulting, our business is our expertise as gathered from years of experience, so our colleagues have much to offer from a business, professional development, and personal perspective."

What have you loved most about your consulting career?

"I most enjoy the diversity in my engagements. Cybersecurity is a fast-moving issue that affects organizations of all sizes and industries, and the advancement in technology and increasing sophistication of threat actors makes no engagement exactly alike. Helping organizations mitigate cyber risk, respond to incidents, and conduct complex investigations is a continuous but engaging challenge that keeps me sharp."

What's the best advice—personal or professional—you've ever received?

"Lean on your team to get the job done. Each person brings their own set of values and perspectives, and I find it extremely valuable to bring in others to solve problems, find efficiencies, and drive growth."

What does being honored as a Top 25 Consultant mean to you?

"I am very proud of this recognition as I am truly passionate about helping individuals and organizations combat cyber threats and mitigate cyber risk. It also gives me an opportunity to thank those who have contributed to my success as a consultant – my colleagues here at FTI Consulting, my former colleagues in law enforcement, and my mentors, friends, and family."