New York, November 5 (Reuters/ PR Newswire ) – CISOs Connect ™ today announced that the nominations for the 2027 C100 awards have officially opened. As this award is announced, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, global tensions, and the rapid transformation of businesses are reshaping companies and fundamentally changing the expectations for cybersecurity leadership.

This change is structural, not cyclical. Artificial intelligence is transforming the way organizations operate, the way work is done, and the way decisions are made. Quantum computing is gradually beginning to have a practical impact. Geopolitical uncertainties, regulatory complexities, and an increasingly interconnected technological environment are changing the way organizations view resilience and risk.

As companies adapt to these changes, CISO is increasingly called upon to interpret emerging patterns, understand the business impacts of new technologies, and help organizations make decisions that support resilience, innovation, and long-term strategies.

In 2027, the C100 awards will honor those outstanding CISO. We will not only look at what achievements they have made, but also how they are leading the way in this time of profound change.

What this award focuses on is not just what CISO has accomplished, but a more crucial question:

Who is the leader who is defining the next steps for this role?

"To succeed in this new phase, a CISO cannot merely be an outstanding security practitioner," stated CISOs Connect™ CEO Aimee Rhodes. "Outstanding leaders understand the business, are able to predict the future, and know how to drive transformation without ignoring risks. Artificial intelligence and quantum computing are accelerating this change, but they are just part of a larger transformation. The C100 is intended to recognize those CISO who have helped define this new form of leadership after this evolution."

CISO Peer Review CISO

The core of C100 lies in its peer review process. The winners are selected by an independent committee of reviewers, which is composed of experienced CISO. They have a personal understanding of the complexity, responsibilities, and rapidly changing expectations of this role.

The members of the review committee in 2027 include:

• Mohit Chanana, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Global CISO
• Ryan Field, Bank of Hawaii CISO
• John Gift, Senior Vice President of PepsiCo and Global CISO
• Kelly Haydu, Chase Corp. CISO also serves as the head of infrastructure operations.
• Vaughn Hazen, Canadian National Railway Company CISO
• Yaron Levi, Dolby CISO
• Phillip Miller, H& R Block Vice President and CISO
• Margarita Rivera, Carnival Corporation's global CISO
• Gregory Wilson, ManpowerGroup Global CISO
• Michael Zachman, Zebra Technologies Vice President and CSO

"The CISO role is at a turning point," stated CISOs Connect™, President and Grayscale Investments Chief Risk Officer David Cass. "Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are simultaneously accelerating opportunities and risks, and the board of directors and executive team are also seeking judgment from CISO on issues that far exceed the traditional scope of security. Leaders recognized by C100 should represent the future direction of this profession, not just how it used to be."

For those responsible for selecting the winners in 2027, what exactly constitutes exceptional leadership in this evolving context?

"CISO can no longer operate as a security leader separate from the business," stated the global CISO Margarita Rivera of Carnival Corporation. "We must understand the direction of the organization's development, help it move forward securely, and establish connections between technology, risk, and business strategy. C100 provides an opportunity for CISO to recognize those peers who demonstrate such leadership."

"The speed of change requires CISO to transcend the immediate risks at hand and to think more broadly about the factors that may affect business in the future," Bank of Hawaii CISO Ryan Field stated, "The leaders who will stand out in the future are those who can bring this forward-looking perspective into the organization's current decision-making."

Commend Leadership and Influence

C100 The award has entered its seventh year. This award was conceived by Dayforce, Senior Vice President, and CISO Colin Anderson. It is based on the principle that outstanding cybersecurity leadership should be recognized by peers through a transparent, independent, and capability-based evaluation process. Candidates will be assessed based on their demonstrated influence, leadership, innovation, reach, and their ability to meet the ever-changing expectations of the role.

Candidates can be nominated by peers, colleagues, or members of the cybersecurity community. CISO can also self-nominate. Nomination is free of charge, participation is free of charge, and there are no financial obligations associated with being selected.

The winners of 2027 C100 will be announced on December 7, 2026, at CISOs Connect ™ Miami. At that time, the cybersecurity community will look forward to 2027 and continue to reshape the various forces that play a role in CISO.

C100 is part of the broader commitment of CISOs Connect™, aimed at recognizing and advancing security leaders at different stages of their careers, and creating opportunities for CISO to learn from peers and communicate directly with them.

Nominations are now open for the 2027 C100 awards. The website address is: https://cisosconnect.awardsplatform.com.

Black Kite will support the C100 award for the seventh consecutive year, continuing the partnership established since the launch of this project.

"As the CISO role continues to evolve, the leaders who can have the greatest impact are those who can predict the future and help organizations prepare for it," said Black Kite CEO Paul Paget. "We are proud to support C100 and to recognize those CISO who are shaping the future leadership of this profession."

About CISOs Connect ™

CISOs Connect ™ is an interactive community exclusive to members, bringing together trusted cybersecurity peers and subject experts. This community brings together Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and other senior cybersecurity executives to share knowledge, challenge traditional thinking, and discuss issues related to shaping security leadership and the future of businesses.

Through peer-driven projects, research, awards, and executive activities, CISOs Connect ™ has created an environment where security leaders can communicate openly with one another and interact with experts and solution providers who help shape the future of cybersecurity.

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