Phillip Wylie is an internationally recognised cybersecurity expert, bestselling co-author of 'The Pentester BluePrint' and podcast host with over 28 years in cybersecurity and IT. With a diverse career background from network security and application security to penetration testing and red teaming, he is a trusted voice across technology. Using his technical expertise, he is able to communicate complex concepts, making them accessible to all audiences. Dedicated to advancing cybersecurity awareness, he is the founder of The Pwn School Project, expanding access to hands-on education.
Phillip began his career as a System Engineer across companies, including CompuCom, TXU Energy and more. As an offensive security professional, he has carried out penetration testing across enterprise networks, wireless environments and applications, as well as leading red team exercises and social engineering engagements for global organisations. In 2018, he served as an Adjunct Instructor at Dallas College, sharing his passion and practical insights into ethical hacking and web application pentesting. Following on, Phillip founded DEFCON Group 940 in 2021 to continue making education accessible.
In addition to his cybersecurity work, he continues to widen others' knowledge by providing practical advice for entering and advancing throughout the technology industry through hosting the podcasts 'The Phillip Wylie Show' and 'The Hacker Factory Podcast'. He is also the concept creator of 'The Pentester Blueprint: Starting a Career as an Ethical Hacker', a widely respected, bestselling guide that has become a trusted resource for professionals looking to build credible, hands-on careers in ethical hacking and offensive security.
Phillip's inspirational career has not gone unnoticed, as in 2023, he was awarded the SANS Difference Maker by the SANS Institute, acknowledging his outstanding contribution to advancing skills within the profession. A sought-after keynote speaker, workshop instructor and mentor, he travels globally to educate and inspire audiences. Using his real-world insight and practical techniques, he offers clear guidance that empowers organisations and individuals to strengthen their understanding of cybersecurity.
Phillip Wylie's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Offensive Security
- Hacking
- Penetration Testing
- Cybersecurity
- Web Hacking
- Ethical Hacking
- Network Security
- Application Security
- Red Team Operations
- Social Engineering
Resilience in Cybersecurity: Lessons from the Front Lines
Phillip Wylie draws on decades of hands-on offensive security, teaching, and real-world breach analysis to break down what resilience actually looks like inside modern organisations. He takes audiences behind the scenes of pentests, red-team operations, and incident aftermaths to show where security programs fail, where they succeed, and how teams can build defences that hold up under real pressure.
Through stories from the trenches and practical frameworks, he highlights:
- The hidden gaps attackers exploit
- How organisations can adapt faster than threats evolve
- The human and operational factors that make or break resilience
- Why continuous learning and cross-team alignment matter more than any single tool
The theme centres on strengthening culture, sharpening technical readiness, and building security programs that don’t just react — they endure, recover, and grow stronger with every challenge.
The Intersection of Tech Innovation and Cyber Threats
Phillip Wylie explores how every breakthrough in technology — from cloud-native architectures to AI-driven systems — creates new opportunities and new attack surfaces. Drawing from his experience in offensive security, he breaks down how attackers quickly adapt to emerging tech, often faster than organisations secure it.
This keynote examines:
- How innovation reshapes both defensive and offensive capabilities
- The unintended vulnerabilities created by rapid adoption
- real examples of where cutting-edge systems failed under pressure
- How security teams can stay ahead without slowing down innovation
Phillip shows audiences how to navigate this constant push-pull between progress and risk, offering practical strategies to build security into innovation cycles from day one. The takeaway: the future belongs to teams that embrace new tech boldly while understanding the threats evolving alongside it.
Ethical Hacking for Good: How Cybersecurity Impacts Society
Phillip Wylie highlights the powerful role ethical hackers play in protecting communities, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Beyond just finding vulnerabilities, he explores how cybersecurity acts as a force for good—safeguarding privacy, enabling trust, and empowering individuals in an increasingly digital world.
In this keynote, he dives into:
- Real-world examples of ethical hacking, preventing major cyber incidents
- The social responsibility of security professionals
- How security practices affect everyday lives and democratic processes
- inspiring ways cybersecurity can bridge gaps and promote equity
Phillip challenges audiences to see ethical hacking not just as a technical skill, but as a vital mission that shapes safer, fairer, and more resilient societies.
- 2025 - Senior Consultant & AI/cybersecurity evangelist
- 2025 - Podcast host of 'Simply Offensive'
- 2023 - Co-founder of Cyber Circus Network
- 2023 - Podcast host of the Phillip Wylie Show
- 2023 - Podcast host of 'Black Hat MEA'
- 2023 - ITSPmagazine podcast host of 'The Hacker Factory'
- 2021 - Founder of DEFCON Group 940
- 2019 - Concept creator & co-author of 'The Pentester Blueprint: Starting a Career as an Ethical Hacker'
- 2018 - Adjunct Professor at Dallas College
How to hire Phillip Wylie
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Phillip Wylie for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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