Gartner Information Technology Expert

Dale Gardner

Sr Director Analyst

Dale Gardner is a Senior Director, Analyst researching application and data security. His primary focus is on DevSecOps, and encompasses application security testing, software composition analysis and software supply chains, and application security orchestration and correlation, and API security. In addition to advising clients on application security tools and processes, he provides coverage of the data masking market.

Mr. Gardner advises a wide range of constituents, encompassing enterprise application security practitioners and management, investors, and vendors. He assists application security teams in process guidance and tool selection, and in evaluating emerging market trends and solutions. For security vendors and investors, Mr. Gardner provides guidance on market trends and competitive landscapes.

He joined Gartner in 2016 as a Research Director on the Technology and Service Provider Security and Risk Management team, where he established that group's application security practice. In that role, he created a mix of quantitative and qualitative research on a variety of DevSecOps tools and markets. He also assisted with coordinating the team's overall research agenda.

Previous experience

Mr. Gardner began his technology career as an application and systems programmer. He spent over 25 years in a variety of product leadership positions, at companies of all sizes, focusing primarily on a range of information security disciplines. Immediately prior to joining Gartner, he directed worldwide product marketing efforts for CA Technologies privileged access management product line.

Professional background

Xceedium/CA Technologies

Senior Director of Product Marketing

Tenable Network Security

Product Marketing Manager

Market Foundry

Founder/Principal

Areas of coverage

Security of Applications and Data

Education

Bachelor of Business Administration, summa cum laude, Cleary University

Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

1Enterprise security buyers - product and process strategy and guidance for application security testing and protection initiatives, including DevSecOps.

2Enterprise security buyers - key application security issues and trends to facilitate strategic planning and budgeting.

3Security product vendors - market research identification of customer requirements, competitive landscape, product ideation and review.

4Security product vendors - acquisition, partnering and ecosystem planning.

5Security product vendors - go-to-market strategies and tactics, including target market and buyer persona definition, positioning and messaging, marketing and promotion strategies.