CISOs Connect™ Opens Nominations for 2025 CISOs Top 100 CISOs (C100) Award and Announces Esteemed CISO Board of Judges

Award Honors Information Security Chiefs Who Set the Gold Standard for the Industry

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CISOs Connect, an exclusive membership-only organization devoted to the advancement of CISOs, opened nominations today for its 2025 CISOs Top 100 CISO (C100) awards, and announced the board of distinguished CISO judges who will select the winners of this leading industry recognition of exceptional CISOs in North America.

Security leaders have become indispensable to the smooth operation of businesses and organizations in an environment of ever-mounting threats. The C100 is designed to pay tribute to those who have established a benchmark for excellence through their security expertise and business acumen – and equally important, through their dedication to passing on the wealth of their knowledge to the next generation of industry leaders.

The transparency of the awards process is what sets this recognition apart from others in the industry where pay-for-play rules. Criteria for eligibility are clearly defined, and the identity of the judges – all pre-eminent CISOs themselves – is public.

The support of Black Kite, our corporate platinum sponsor, for our community and our CISO members is integral to keeping this process scrupulously merit-based.

Nominations can be self-submitted or put forward by a third party. There is no submission fee or costs associated with the award ever. The winners will be announced at the CISOs Connect NYC conference on April 7.

Key benchmarks for consideration include:

• CISO or equivalent at an end-user enterprise or organization for at least five years
• Involvement and leadership roles in professional organizations
• Security-related volunteering and activism
• Mentoring, educating and training future cybersecurity professionals across functions

Nominate here: https://cisosconnect.awardsplatform.com/

"There is no question today that CISOs have become indispensable to organizations large and small as cyberattacks ricochet across the globe," said Brian Miller, 2025 Esteemed Judge and CISO at Healthfirst. "Award winners set the standard for a role whose criticality and visibility have become unquestionable in today's vulnerable digital landscape."

"The C100 was designed to celebrate excellence, not least through its transparent process and peer-driven evaluation by a board of industry-recognized CISO judges," said Kevin McKenzie, CISO at Ferguson Enterprises. "By singling out top CISOs for recognition, CISOs Connect aims to raise the bar higher and higher each year."

The following industry leaders are serving on the distinguished CISO Board of Judges:

• Brian Miller, Chief Information Security Officer, Healthfirst
• Frank Aiello, Chief Information Security Officer, Maximus
• Hussein Syed, Chief Information Security Officer, RWJBarnabas Health
• Kevin McKenzie, Chief Information Security Officer, Ferguson Enterprises
• Kurt Brissett, Former Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Transport for NSW
• Margarita Rivera, Global Chief Information Security Officer, Carnival Corporation
• Matt Biber, Group Chief Information Security Officer, Qantas
• Monique Hart, Vice President of Information Security, Piedmont
• Nikk Gilbert, Chief Information Security Officer, RWE
• Olusegun Opeyemi-Ajayi, Chief Information Security Officer, NYC Department of Transportation
• Randall Frietzsche, Chief Information Security Officer, Denver Health
• Sai Iyer, Chief Information Security Officer, Ziff Davis

"It is not enough for a CISO to be a talented technologist. An outstanding CISO must also be a business leader, able to strategize with executives and board members in the interest of driving the organization forward," said Margarita Rivera, Global CISO at Carnival Corporation. "They must also be able to inspire and give of their time to help nurture future cybersecurity leaders who will inherit their mantle."

"Since the inception of the C100 Awards four years ago, Black Kite has been a steadfast supporter of its transparency, exemplifying a commitment to integrity," said Aimee Rhodes, CEO of CISOs Connect. "Their dedication to honoring the critical, often underappreciated role of CISOs has been instrumental to maintaining the award's merit-based recognition, ensuring that the achievements of those in the cybersecurity trenches are deservedly acknowledged."

Paul Paget, CEO of Black Kite, said: "Black Kite is proud to support, alongside CISOs Connect, the C100 awards program to enable a tribute based on objective and transparent criteria."

About CISOs Connect

CISOs Connect is an exclusive membership-only interactive community of trusted cyber peers and subject matter experts devoted to the professional development of Chief Information Security Officers. The community prides itself on offering a marketplace of ideas. Cyber experts share knowledge and expertise through proprietary content, research and analysis, while members have a forum to exchange information and collaborate with trusted colleagues, elevating the process by which they make informed business and technology decisions.

CISOs Connect™ is led by the top CISOs in North America, and is known for its signature Security Shark Tank® and CISO-driven content, knowledge sharing, and community.

Media Contact:

Aimee Rhodes
201-835-9205
[email protected]

SOURCE CISOs Connect