Former VMware executive Tom Gillis has reportedly taken over as SVP and GM of Cisco’s Security Business Group just weeks after leaving VMware. He will drive the networking and security giant’s security business strategy, including Cisco’s platform and holistic approach to security, and unifying the security product and go-to-market motions.
Tom Gillis had previously served as Cisco’s VP and GM of the security technology group from 2007 to 2011. He joined VMware in 2018 as SVP and GM of the Networking and Advanced Security Business Group.
On the security side, he led VMware to converge its networking and security services for hybrid and multi-cloud environments, and strengthen its endpoint security services including the introduction of Carbon Black XDR [extended detection and response] built on its endpoint detection and response (EDR) and Contexa threat intelligence capabilities.
Along with Tom Gillis, several other top executives including Mark Lohmeyer, who was SVP and GM of VMware’s Cloud Infrastructure Business Group; and Ajay Patel, who was SVP and GM of Modern Apps at VMware left the company. The departures came under the shadow of VMware’s impending acquisition by Broadcom.