About
Jaye Tillson, is the CTO Security and a Distinguished Technologist at HPE, recognized as a leading voice in cybersecurity with a deep focus on Zero Trust and SASE strategy. He is known for translating complex security architectures into business outcomes that resonate with C-level executives. With extensive experience driving global transformations, Jaye brings both executive credibility and the ability to bridge IT, OT, and business leadership conversations. He helps sales teams position Zero Trust as a catalyst for cloud adoption, hybrid work, and operational resilience, while also aligning solutions with regulatory drivers. Across industries, he provides vertical-specific insights, showing how Zero Trust not only reduces risk but also accelerates digital transformation. Within HPE, Jaye strengthens go-to-market impact by coaching sales executives and engineers to sharpen messaging, overcome objections, and engage CISOs, CIOs, and boards with compelling narratives. His ability to frame security as a competitive advantage rather than a cost makes him a force multiplier in winning strategic opportunities. A recognized thought leader, Jaye speaks regularly at top industry events including Gartner, VMWorld, Evanta, IDC, and .Next. He also serves on advisory boards for VMware, Nutanix, CIOnet, and Proofpoint. As co-founder of the Zero Trust Forum and co-host of the No Trust podcast, he engages audiences on Zero Trust, SASE, SSE, and the evolving role of the CISO. He is an active contributor to the CSA Zero Trust Working Group, a board member of the CSA UK Chapter, and an advisor for Infosec.live. Outside of work, Jaye pursues his passions for motor racing, fine cuisine, and global travel.
Sessions
Zero Trust or Bust - The Race against Ransomware Workshop
What you will learn:
Every second counts when a ransomware attack strikes. Are you ready to protect your business and navigate the complexities of a cyber incident? Join this facilitator-led Race Against Ransomware workshop to gain hands-on experience during a simulated ransomware attack to help you sharpen your cyber defense skills. It all starts as a normal workday. Then comes a phishing email, and suddenly all IT systems freeze, operations halt, and a chilling ransomware message appears on all company-managed devices. As a participant, you’ll step into the shoes of the executive leadership team at a mock manufacturing company under siege by a coordinated ransomware attack. Evaluate your ransomware readiness strategy and decision making as you race to protect your company’s data and restore business operations. You’ll leave equipped with a comprehensive toolkit and recommendations to strengthen your company’s cyber resilience posture and disaster recovery plan. Join our workshop to: •Engage in realistic ransomware scenarios that reflect threats facing your organization •Practice making critical decisions and navigating complex situations •Gain actionable insights to help strengthen your cyber resilience strategy •Learn from cybersecurity experts and network with peers to discuss ongoing security challenges
6 Hard Lessons from Zero Trust Deployments: What the Field Is Actually Seeing
What you will learn:
Zero Trust has quickly moved from security concept to board-level mandate. Yet the reality inside most organizations is far messier than the architecture diagrams suggest. Based on several hundred interviews with IT and security practitioners as well as the analyst community, this session explores what actually happens when organizations attempt to implement Zero Trust. The findings are sobering: roughly 60–70% of Zero Trust initiatives stall before reaching maturity, and fewer than 20% achieve a fully realized Zero Trust architecture. Rather than focusing on theory or vendor frameworks, this session examines seven hard lessons from the field, highlighting both the successes and the failures organizations encounter along the way. Topics include why many Zero Trust initiatives stall, where organizations underestimate complexity, the architectural decisions that matter most, and what successful deployments do differently. This presentation is not a product pitch. Instead, it’s a candid discussion of the hard realities of Zero Trust deployment, grounded in the experiences of practitioners across hundreds of organizations. Attendees will leave with practical insights into what works, what fails, and how to move a Zero Trust initiative from concept to operational reality.