From Zero to Hero With z/OS - Jack Fitzsimons
Disobey 2026 · Main Stage
In his Disobey talk, "From Zero to Hero With z/OS," Jack Fitzsimons, a security consultant at DNV, tackles the persistent misconception that mainframes are obsolete relics of a bygone era. Fitzsimons passionately argues that not only are mainframes far from dead, but they remain critical infrastructure underpinning a vast array of modern financial, governmental, and logistical systems. His presentation serves as a crucial introduction for security professionals unfamiliar with this powerful, yet often overlooked, attack surface.
AI review
A well-structured, technically honest intro to z/OS offensive security that punches above its weight for a community talk. Fitzsimons clearly did the work himself, brings real assessment experience, and delivers two demos that land concrete points rather than just showing off. Not a research drop — this is an on-ramp — but it's a genuinely good one.