This piece is inspired by the closing presentations from Reggie Fils-Aimé, former President and COO of Nintendo of America, and ThreatLocker’s CEO, Danny Jenkins, during Zero Trust World 2025.
Zero Trust World 2025 in Orlando was more than just a cybersecurity conference—it was a dynamic experience where innovation, learning, and community took center stage. With over 1,500 attendees, the event delivered actionable insights and fostered a culture of curiosity and growth. This year’s theme emphasized not only the critical importance of Zero Trust as a security strategy—or more aptly, a mindset—but also the broader need for organizations to innovate boldly while managing risks intelligently.
The Power of Disruptive Innovation
Reggie Fils-Aimé, former President and COO of Nintendo of America, delivered a keynote that reached beyond the boundaries of the gaming industry. His principles of “disciplined, disruptive innovation” offered a roadmap for any organization looking to lead rather than follow. He underscored that true innovation is not a one-time exercise but a cultural practice embedded within every level of an organization—from engineers to marketers and sales teams.
For cybersecurity programs, this perspective is invaluable:
Foster a Culture of Innovation: Just as Nintendo encouraged all teams to think disruptively, cybersecurity leaders must inspire every employee to contribute to the security posture. Zero Trust principles thrive when the culture supports proactive questioning and problem-solving.
Balance Risk and Reward: Fils-Aimé’s story of the Wii U’s commercial failure and the eventual success of the Nintendo Switch illustrates the importance of “failing forward.” Cybersecurity teams should embrace this mindset, treating every incident as a learning opportunity to refine defenses.
Innovate from Your Core: Just as Nintendo remained true to its core strengths while introducing new concepts to the market, cybersecurity strategies must align with an organization’s core mission and strengths.
Bridging Innovation and Cybersecurity
Danny Jenkins, CEO and co-founder of ThreatLocker, echoed this sentiment in his closing remarks. He highlighted how the event’s educational programs, from hacking labs to the Cyber Hero certification, were designed not just to teach but to transform. With an 17.8% pass rate of what was described as a super-challenging exam, the Cyber Hero program exemplified the rigorous standards needed to excel in cybersecurity today .
Jenkins also emphasized the meticulous planning and execution behind the conference. From setting up a million dollars’ worth of laptops to organizing the logistics of hands-on labs, every detail was designed to create a rich learning environment.
His message was clear: success in cybersecurity, much like in business, requires preparation, collaboration, and a willingness to embrace complexity.
Innovation Through Risk Management
Both Reggie Fils-Aimé and Danny Jenkins stressed the importance of balancing innovation with risk management. As Fils-Aimé shared through his experiences at Nintendo, disruptive innovation does not mean recklessness. Instead, it involves taking calculated risks, learning from failures, and maintaining a clear focus on core values and strengths.
In the cybersecurity realm, this translates into adopting new technologies and strategies while maintaining robust risk management frameworks. As Jenkins pointed out, the goal is to innovate securely, ensuring that bold moves forward are grounded in a strong understanding of potential risks and mitigations.
For me—as was discussed in the many conversations we had during the conference—it is a mindset through which the organization lives and breaths.
A Unified Message: Learning, Community, and Giving Back
The sense of community at Zero Trust World was undeniable. Jenkins took time to recognize not only the efforts of the event team but also the contributions of sponsors, partners, and attendees. His heartfelt acknowledgment of the Ronald McDonald House charity initiative, including the auction of an Iron Man suit that raised $95,000, showcased ThreatLocker’s commitment to giving back.
This generosity reflects a broader lesson from the conference: building a culture of security is not just about technology or policies but about fostering trust and collaboration within and outside the organization. By supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and contributing to the community, cybersecurity professionals can create a safer digital world for everyone.
The Future of Zero Trust and Innovation
As the conference wrapped up, Jenkins left attendees with a hopeful message: that the knowledge and connections made over the past few days would empower them to bring back fresh ideas to their organizations. His closing remarks reinforced the event’s theme that innovation and security are not mutually exclusive but can and should reinforce one another.
The takeaway from Zero Trust World 2025 is clear: The future belongs to organizations that can innovate with intention, take smart risks, and cultivate a culture where every individual feels responsible for security.
Whether through embracing disruptive thinking as Fils-Aimé advocated or through disciplined execution as demonstrated by Jenkins, the path forward involves balancing creativity with caution, boldness with prudence, and inspiration with strategy.
As we move ahead, the lessons learned at Zero Trust World 2025 will serve as a guide. By continuing to innovate and manage risks thoughtfully, cybersecurity leaders and their organizations can not only adapt to changing threats but also drive meaningful progress and positive change.
Comments and feedback are always welcome. If you have a guest proposal to discuss this topic further on my Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast, let me know.
Cheers,
Sean
Stay Connected and Keep Thinking and Learning
To learn more about Zero Trust security strategies and how to build a stronger cybersecurity posture for your business:
Connect with the ThreatLocker team to explore solutions that support Zero Trust implementation.
Look for Marco’s companion article, The Disruptive Edge: Innovation, Cybersecurity, and the Future of a Zero Trust Society, presented from a technology and society perspective.
Watch and listen to all of ITSPmagazine’s coverage of ThreatLocker’s Zero Trust World 2025 to gain deeper insights from security experts and industry leaders.
