Tyler Williams – VIPSS25
Partner, National Cybersecurity Leader for Industrials & Energy, Ernst & Young
Tyler Williams is a globally recognized pioneer in industrial cybersecurity, with a career spanning over two decades at the forefront of securing industrial systems and critical infrastructure. His contributions have significantly shaped the cybersecurity landscape, making him one of the most influential figures in the field today.
As the founder and CEO of Wurldtech, Tyler was instrumental in the development of the Achilles Test Platform, an industry-first solution designed to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in critical OT systems. The Achilles Test Platform became the de facto standard for testing the security of industrial control systems, enabling manufacturers and operators to proactively address potential threats before they could be exploited.
Building on the success of the Achilles Test Platform, Tyler led the creation of the Achilles Certification program, the first industry-standard benchmark for cybersecurity in OT environments. This certification has become a cornerstone in the industry, widely adopted by leading manufacturers and operators to ensure the security and reliability of critical systems and was later adapted to the ISASecure certification brand and incorporated into global testing networks such as TUV and UL. Under Tyler’s leadership, Wurldtech’s pioneering work in OT cybersecurity gained significant recognition, ultimately leading to the company’s acquisition by General Electric (GE), further expanding the impact of its innovations on a global scale.
Tyler’s leadership was also crucial in establishing foundational industry standards for OT cybersecurity. He led the WIB (Working Group Industrial Automation) initiative, where his expertise was pivotal in developing the IEC 62443 (formerly ISA-99) standards. These standards have since become the global benchmark for OT cybersecurity, providing a comprehensive framework for securing industrial automation and control systems. Simultaneously, Tyler was an integral member of the original NERC Standard Authorization Request (SAR) drafting team, where he contributed to the creation of what would eventually become NERC CIP Version 1. This pioneering effort established the first mandatory cybersecurity standards for the North American electric utility sector, setting the foundation for securing critical energy infrastructure against cyber threats.
In addition to his work on standards, Tyler led the creation of the Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GISCP) certification by SANS. This certification has become the gold standard for validating the skills and knowledge of professionals in the OT cybersecurity field, further solidifying Tyler’s legacy as a leader in education and professional development.
Following his tenure at Wurldtech, Tyler continued to drive OT cybersecurity advancements as the Global Head of OT Cybersecurity at Shell, where he led cyber security programs across one of the world’s largest energy networks. Most recently, as the National Practice Leader for Cybersecurity in Energy at EY, Tyler has guided top-tier energy companies in developing and implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring the protection of vital assets in an increasingly digitalized world.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Tyler has delivered keynote addresses and participated in panels at dozens of prestigious cybersecurity conferences worldwide, including RSA, SANS ICS Security Summit, ARC Industry Forum, Black Hat Europe, CIGRE in Paris, and many more. His insights into the evolving landscape of OT cybersecurity, coupled with his hands-on experience in leading standards and certification initiatives, have made him a trusted advisor and voice in the industry.
Tyler’s presentations are known for their depth of knowledge, practical insights, and forward-thinking perspectives, offering audiences actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.
Tyler Williams is a globally recognized pioneer in industrial cybersecurity, with a career spanning over two decades at the forefront of securing industrial systems and critical infrastructure. His contributions have significantly shaped the cybersecurity landscape, making him one of the most influential figures in the field today.
As the founder and CEO of Wurldtech, Tyler was instrumental in the development of the Achilles Test Platform, an industry-first solution designed to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in critical OT systems. The Achilles Test Platform became the de facto standard for testing the security of industrial control systems, enabling manufacturers and operators to proactively address potential threats before they could be exploited.
Building on the success of the Achilles Test Platform, Tyler led the creation of the Achilles Certification program, the first industry-standard benchmark for cybersecurity in OT environments. This certification has become a cornerstone in the industry, widely adopted by leading manufacturers and operators to ensure the security and reliability of critical systems and was later adapted to the ISASecure certification brand and incorporated into global testing networks such as TUV and UL. Under Tyler’s leadership, Wurldtech’s pioneering work in OT cybersecurity gained significant recognition, ultimately leading to the company’s acquisition by General Electric (GE), further expanding the impact of its innovations on a global scale.
Tyler’s leadership was also crucial in establishing foundational industry standards for OT cybersecurity. He led the WIB (Working Group Industrial Automation) initiative, where his expertise was pivotal in developing the IEC 62443 (formerly ISA-99) standards. These standards have since become the global benchmark for OT cybersecurity, providing a comprehensive framework for securing industrial automation and control systems. Simultaneously, Tyler was an integral member of the original NERC Standard Authorization Request (SAR) drafting team, where he contributed to the creation of what would eventually become NERC CIP Version 1. This pioneering effort established the first mandatory cybersecurity standards for the North American electric utility sector, setting the foundation for securing critical energy infrastructure against cyber threats.
In addition to his work on standards, Tyler led the creation of the Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GISCP) certification by SANS. This certification has become the gold standard for validating the skills and knowledge of professionals in the OT cybersecurity field, further solidifying Tyler’s legacy as a leader in education and professional development.
Following his tenure at Wurldtech, Tyler continued to drive OT cybersecurity advancements as the Global Head of OT Cybersecurity at Shell, where he led cyber security programs across one of the world’s largest energy networks. Most recently, as the National Practice Leader for Cybersecurity in Energy at EY, Tyler has guided top-tier energy companies in developing and implementing robust cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring the protection of vital assets in an increasingly digitalized world.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Tyler has delivered keynote addresses and participated in panels at dozens of prestigious cybersecurity conferences worldwide, including RSA, SANS ICS Security Summit, ARC Industry Forum, Black Hat Europe, CIGRE in Paris, and many more. His insights into the evolving landscape of OT cybersecurity, coupled with his hands-on experience in leading standards and certification initiatives, have made him a trusted advisor and voice in the industry.
Tyler’s presentations are known for their depth of knowledge, practical insights, and forward-thinking perspectives, offering audiences actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of cybersecurity in critical infrastructure.
