Thanks for your interest in CISO ExecNet!
We get a lot of questions from CISOs considering
membership.
Here are answers to the most
frequently asked questions we hear, including:
The key benefit to joining CISO ExecNet is the peer-to-peer collaboration, shared learning, and problem-solving that takes place in our intimate half-day breakfast RoundTables. Those gatherings bring members together multiple times a year in Chapter cities across North America. We focus on relevant topics selected in part by our Advisory Council members and current industry trends.
Our RoundTables follow a standard format:
We are a membership-driven organization that thrives through engaged members. In addition to our Member Breakfast RoundTables, we offer regular virtual gatherings on critical topics throughout the year., as well as periodic special events and a National Symposium. We issue a regular newsletter to keep Members up-to-date on upcoming gatherings, current industry trends, and other key information. We also have a Members-only LinkedIn Discussion Group for communication, news and sharing of best practices.
1. We are a membership organization, not an events company: CISO ExecNet was originally founded as the "CSO Breakfast Club" by then vCISO Bill Sieglein in Baltimore. It was intended to enable networking and information-sharing among peers. Bill was seeking senior level peers with whom he could converse about data security and privacy. He realized the only way to keep abreast of current developments, both from the bad guys and industry experts, was to learn from his peers. So, he brought other CISOs together. CISOs in other cities heard about these breakfast meetings and requested a similar forum. As a result, new Chapters were added. Since then, we have continually grown by word of mouth as more CISOs have heard about what we do.
2. Consistency and Depth: We meet multiple times per year in each Chapter to go deep on a single key topic. Our topics are picked every year by our Advisory Council members, assuring members that we are addressing the most critical and timely topics.
3. Professional Moderation: Each of our roundtables is professionally moderated by deep cybersecurity subject matter experts. There is a consistency to the tenor and depth of presentation, creating a consistent experience that helps each Chapter strengthen over the years. We work with our Chapter Members to really explore the problems and walk away with real ideas/solutions.
4. Subject Matter Expert Presentations: Solution Providers send their best executives to share new ideas with the CISO ExecNet Community. Sponsors provide an opportunity for Members to keep up-to-date, and learn about new solutions. Content for each is reviewed thoughtfully to ensure a learning experience for Members at every RoundTable.
"Engaging with the CISO Executive Network has been valuable to me as it brings a cross section of industry peers with different approaches to similar issues. The information shared by local peers can be validated in person and used by my team immediately. I am continually impressed with the leadership of group discussions, the timely vendor presentations and the passion for each person leaves meetings with valuable information."
As a long time member of the CISO Executive Network, I can appreciate the value of having access to best in class CISOs to discuss the current issues and challenges that we all face. Don’t underestimate the value of networking with peers!
I find these roundtables extremely useful. The way Bill and team have these structured provides both an opportunity to engage with peers in a safe confidential environment while also allowing time to learn about new, relevant technology in a pressure-free setting.
The meaningful and in-depth discussion with peers provides valuable insight to solving security challenges in support of the business.
Effective risk management relies on solid understanding of the environment and risk trending. CISO Executive Networks provides the opportunity to connect with peers and technology providers, to better understand and manage both.
"As an information security leader it’s imperative to have some trusted colleagues you can tap into from time to time. The ability to have open, candid dialog with others “in the trenches” is invaluable. The CISO Executive Network provides that forum and I have a number of very valuable contacts that have helped me immensely over the years."
"Year after year I find attending CISO Executive Network roundtables to be one of the most informative sources on so many different challenges and solutions. Being able to bounce ideas off of others and having meaningful dialogue has been invaluable."
As we strive to offer the best environment for peer-to-peer sharing by information security executives, CISO ExecNet periodically reviews our membership and attendance criteria to ensure the highest standards, strong participation, and value to attendees. Simply put, our gatherings succeed when the most senior information security and privacy executives in their respective companies and organizations attend our Executive Member Breakfast Roundtables.
CISO ExecNet offers complimentary membership for persons that meet these criteria. Members are welcomed to participate in Executive Breakfast Roundtables, Webinars, and have full access to all materials on the website and LinkedIn Discussion Group. In some circumstances, when the Executive Member cannot make it to a roundtable in person, they may elect to have a representative of their team attend on their behalf. We prefer to be notified when that is the case.
Consultants, Solution Provider/Vendors, and Value Added Resellers are not qualified for membership. If you fall into one of those categories, you may apply to participate as a Sponsor. Find out more about sponsorship here.
If you are unsure which level of membership is appropriate for you, please contact us directly at [email protected].
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