Q: What types of events do you host?
A: CISO Executive Network has programs at the National, Regional, and Local levels.
National Programs include our own Annual Symposium featuring nearly 100 member CISOs for a full day of member-led panels and expert sessions. We also host our signature roundtables for our members who attend RSA, Gartner Security & Risk Management Summit, and Black Hat.
Regional Programs include our Regional Breakfast Roundtables where we combine local chapters, logically by geography, to create larger groups of members to share ideas on topics not covered in our local chapter roundtables. These follow our signature chapter roundtable agenda (see below)
- Short networking over coffee and breakfast: 8:00 - 8:30
- Introduction of the topic, member poll, and moderated discussion by our professional moderators and members: 8:30 - 9:35
- Legal update from host law firm: 9:35 - 9:45
- Break 9:45 - 10:00
- Sponsored speaker 10:00-10:15
- Sponsored speaker 10:15-10:30
- Sponsored speaker 10:30-10:45
- Member closed-door session: 10:45 - 11:15
- Concluding remarks and close 11:15 - 11:30
- Social time 11:30-12:00 (optional)
Q: What are the benefits of sponsorship?
A: CISO Executive Network is the shortest route to CISO decision makers and economic buyers for US companies. Unlike most programs designed as “events” our roundtables are designed for our members which means more valuable information will be shared while the sponsors are in the room. Specific sponsor benefits include:
- Direct exposure to executive level information security decision makers in an intimate environment.
- Access to unfiltered, moderated conversations among US CISOs which provides real-time market intelligence down to the individual CISO/company.
- Opportunity to respond to what you’ve heard in the room with a 15-minute, contextualized presentation which we will help you craft in advance.
- Opportunity to show thought leadership among influential cybersecurity executives.
- Full contact information for all registrants for each sponsored event.
Q: What levels of sponsorship do you offer?
A: Sponsorship levels vary depending on which program you select. For Regional Roundtables we have only 1 level of sponsorship for the 2 sponsors. For our RSA, Gartner, and Black Hat programs, we have a single, exclusive sponsorship level for each event. Lastly, for our Annual Symposium, we offer 2 tiers of sponsorship.
Q: How many sponsors attend an event?
A: For our Regional Roundtables, we permit just 2 vendors to sponsor with each having a speaker and 1 other representative. For RSA, Gartner, and Black Hat we have just 1 sponsor per daily event with up to 3 sponsor attendees allowed. At our Annual Symposium, we have varying levels of sponsorship and most allow up to 3 sponsor attendees.
Q: What are some of the topics you cover?
A: Each year our Advisory Council members help us select relevant topics for discussion at all of our program events. We generally plan the topics in the Fall for the coming year. Topics are top-of-mind for our members as expressed through our Advisory Council Members.
Q: How much opportunity is there for sponsor interaction with CISO Executive Network members?
A: Sponsors are encouraged to interact with our members at various times during our roundtable events. While our agendas are very well-defined and we follow the agenda vigorously, there are opportunities for interaction with members during breakfast for 30-mins prior to each chapter roundtable, during breaks, and after our program concludes - before members leave our meeting locations.
Q: How much does sponsorship cost?
A: Our sponsorship pricing ranges based on the program you select. Generally the cost of our sponsorships falls within the cost-per-meeting averages in the US. You can find out more about pricing by scheduling a meeting with us. [email protected].
Q: How do you recruit members?
A: Our best method for recruiting new members is through our existing members. We also use outreach to the community using various tools like LinkedIn and Apollo.
Q: What are the titles of most of your members?
A: The majority of our members have the CISO or equivalent title. Many are EVP, GVP, SVP and VP level executives. Many heads of information security - the decision makers with budget, don't get the official title "CISO" as it denotes a senior corporate officer role. Most "CISOs" are actually Director, Senior Manager, Global Head, etc.
Q: What types of organizations make up your membership?
A: Most are large organizations including large financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail organizations. We also serve higher education institutions and government agencies
Q: What is the cost of membership?
A: Membership in the CISO Executive Network is free to qualified candidates. Members are approved after review by our management of their title, role, and company. Our personal review assures that the make-up of membership is consistent with the focus of the executive network.
Q: How many people attend your events?
A: Our Annual Symposium draws nearly 100 members. Our roundtables at RSA, Gartner and Black Hat tend to draw 15-18 per breakfast and nearly 30 at the Gartner luncheon. Our Regional Roundtables often draw 25-25 members. Our Local Chapter Roundtables are designed specifically for intimacy and we keep them to about 12-15 member attendees.
Q: Do you guarantee attendance numbers?
A: We do not guarantee attendance numbers and believe that is a bad practice that leads to "stuffing" seats with unqualified attendees. Because we are member-based organization we only invite our members. Our registration averages are listed above.
Q: Where are your events held?
A: For regular Executive Member Breakfast Roundtable events, most of our meetings are held at host law firms in our Chapter cities. Special events are held at conference facilities in central locations.
Q: How do you attract members to events?
A: CISO Executive Network publishes a member newsletter every two weeks informing members of current and upcoming events. In addition, we send email invitations for events to members and request that they register for the event in advance. For each regular Executive Breakfast Roundtable event, we are in touch with members five or six times, assuring a good response.
Q: What do you look for in sponsor presentations?
A: Sponsor presentations must be on-topic in keeping with the theme of the Executive Member Breakfast Roundtable series. Sales and marketing pitches are discouraged, as CISO Executive Network members are looking to the sponsors to bring thought leadership to the topic. We find that sponsors who bring a thought-provoking topic expert resonate best with our members. Sponsors must adhere to the Speaker Guidelines provided by CISO Executive Network.
Q: Who can present for sponsors?
A: The CISO Executive Network expects companies to bring thought leadership to its sponsorship. Therefore, we look for technology leaders in the companies or VP-level executives who are comfortable with presenting to high-level executives with a compelling message. Presenters should be evangelists who can best tell the sponsor’s story.
