A Career Built at the Edge of What's Possible
Tim Brown has spent over 25 years at the intersection of security, technology, and leadership — holding roles that few people in the industry have held, and navigating challenges that no one else has faced in quite the same way.
Tim Brown presenting "How Not to Get Fired: Breach Disclosure & Lessons Learned When Crisis Strikes"
Tim Brown is one of the most credible and experienced voices in cybersecurity today. As the CA TECHNOLOGIES, he guided the company through the aftermath of the 2020 supply chain attack — one of the most sophisticated and consequential cyberattacks in history, attributed to a nation-state threat actor. His leadership during that period, and the hard-won lessons that came from it, form the foundation of his work as a speaker and advisor.
In February 2026, Tim joined Team8 as a Partner and CISO in Residence. Team8 is one of the world's leading cybersecurity venture groups, known for building companies from the ground up alongside elite founders. In this role, Tim works with security companies at every stage of the lifecycle — from initial ideation and problem validation, through early funding rounds, to scaling product and go-to-market strategy.
Tim is one of only six Dell Fellows worldwide — a distinction reserved for the most exceptional technical contributors in the Dell Technologies ecosystem. He is also a Distinguished Engineer, a recognition of sustained technical excellence and industry impact. These honors reflect a career that has always been grounded in deep technical credibility, not just executive leadership.
Before his time as CISO, Tim served as Chief Technology Officer and as Chief Product Officer — giving him a rare, multi-dimensional view of how security intersects with product development, engineering, and business strategy. This breadth of experience is what makes his perspective uniquely valuable to boards, security teams, and technology leaders.
Tim is an active advisor to multiple security companies across the funding lifecycle. He brings not just strategic guidance, but the kind of operational credibility that comes from having built, led, and defended complex security programs at scale — and from having navigated the legal, regulatory, and reputational consequences of a major incident in the full glare of public scrutiny.
He speaks regularly at major industry events including RSA Conference, Black Hat, and DEF CON, as well as to boards, audit committees, and executive teams at Fortune 500 companies. His talks are known for their candor, depth, and the kind of insight that only comes from lived experience.
At a Glance
25 Years at the Highest Levels
Partner & CISO in Residence
Team8Joined Team8 — one of the world's leading cybersecurity venture groups — as a Partner and CISO in Residence. Works with security founders from ideation through product growth and go-to-market.
Chief Information Security Officer
SolarWindsLed security strategy and operations following the 2020 supply chain attack. Guided the company through incident response, regulatory scrutiny, SEC enforcement, and a comprehensive security transformation.
Chief Technology Officer
SolarWindsServed as CTO, overseeing the technical direction and engineering strategy of the company's product portfolio.
Chief Product Officer
SolarWindsLed product strategy and development, bringing a security-first perspective to product design and roadmap decisions.
Dell Fellow & Distinguished Engineer
Dell TechnologiesOne of only six Dell Fellows worldwide — a distinction reserved for the most exceptional technical contributors. Also recognized as a Distinguished Engineer for sustained technical excellence.
Security Advisor
Multiple Portfolio CompaniesActive advisor to security companies across the funding lifecycle — from seed-stage startups to growth-stage companies — providing strategic, technical, and go-to-market guidance.
Where Tim's Knowledge Runs Deepest
Incident Response & Crisis Management
Firsthand experience leading the response to a nation-state supply chain attack — from initial detection through full recovery and regulatory resolution.
CISO Strategy & Governance
Building and running security programs that satisfy boards, regulators, and customers — while keeping pace with an evolving threat landscape.
SEC & Regulatory Compliance
Navigated SEC enforcement as the named CISO in a landmark case. Deep expertise in disclosure obligations, board reporting, and legal risk management.
Security Product & Technology
As a Distinguished Engineer and former CTO, Tim brings rare depth in security architecture, product design, and technology evaluation.
Venture & Advisory
Partner at Team8 with active advisory roles across the security startup ecosystem — from ideation to Series B and beyond.
Supply Chain Security
One of the world's foremost practitioners on software supply chain risk — from the SolarWinds SUNBURST attack to modern SBOM and build integrity practices.
Ready to Work With Tim?
Whether you're looking for a keynote speaker, a board advisor, or a strategic partner for your security company — Tim is available for select engagements.