The Advisor Who Has Lived What You're Building For
Tim Brown brings something rare to advisory work: he has been the CISO that security companies sell to, the engineer who evaluates what actually works, and the investor who funds what comes next. That full-cycle perspective is what he brings to every engagement.
He Was Your Customer
As CISO of SolarWinds, Tim evaluated, purchased, and deployed security products at scale. He knows exactly what buyers care about — and what makes them walk away.
He Built the Technology
As a Distinguished Engineer and former CTO, Tim has designed and shipped security products. He can assess technical architecture, product-market fit, and engineering execution with real depth.
He Funds What's Next
As a Partner at Team8, Tim works with security companies from the earliest stages of ideation through growth. He understands what investors look for — and how to get there.
Advisory That Meets You Where You Are
Tim works with a small number of security companies at any given time — from pre-product startups to growth-stage businesses. Engagements are structured around what each company actually needs, not a fixed retainer model.
Ideation & Validation
Working with founders to pressure-test problem definition, validate that the pain is real and acute, and sharpen the initial product thesis. Tim brings the CISO perspective — the voice of the buyer — to the earliest stage of company building.
- Problem & market validation
- ICP definition and buyer psychology
- Competitive landscape assessment
- Founding team advisory
- Pitch narrative and investor positioning
Product & Go-to-Market
Helping early-stage companies build products that enterprise security buyers will actually purchase — and go-to-market motions that reach them efficiently. Tim has been on both sides of the enterprise security sale.
- Product roadmap and prioritization
- Enterprise buyer journey mapping
- Sales motion and messaging
- Security architecture review
- Design partner and customer introductions
Scale & Growth
Supporting growth-stage companies as they expand into new markets, build out their enterprise motion, and navigate the increasing complexity of operating at scale — including regulatory, compliance, and board-level dynamics.
- Enterprise expansion strategy
- Board and investor communication
- CISO and security team engagement
- Regulatory and compliance positioning
- Strategic partnership development
Where Tim Adds the Most Value
Enterprise Security Products
Deep expertise in what enterprise CISOs buy, why they buy it, and what makes them renew — from a practitioner who has been in that seat.
Incident Response & Recovery
Firsthand experience building and running IR programs at scale, including navigating a nation-state attack and full regulatory recovery.
Supply Chain Security
One of the world's foremost practitioners on software supply chain risk — from SUNBURST to modern SBOM, build integrity, and third-party risk.
CISO & Board Engagement
Helping security companies communicate effectively with CISOs and boards — the language, the concerns, and the buying process that matters at the executive level.
Regulatory & Compliance Strategy
Navigated SEC enforcement as a named CISO. Deep expertise in disclosure obligations, board reporting, and building defensible security programs.
AI & Emerging Security Technology
Investor-level visibility into where security technology is heading — AI-driven defense, zero-trust evolution, and the next generation of security platforms.
"The best security companies are built by people who understand the problem from the inside. My job as an advisor is to make sure you never lose sight of what the CISO actually needs — because I was that CISO."
Advisory Backed by One of the World's Leading Cybersecurity Venture Groups
Tim's advisory work is anchored by his role as Partner and CISO in Residence at Team8 — a venture group that doesn't just invest in security companies, it builds them from the ground up alongside elite founders.
This means Tim brings not just individual expertise, but access to a network of security founders, operators, and investors who are shaping the next generation of the industry.
Ready to Build Something That Matters?
Tim works with a select number of security companies at any given time. If you're building something in the security space and want an advisor who has been on every side of the table — reach out.
Engagements are tailored to your stage and needs. The conversation starts with a simple inquiry — no pitch deck required.