CISOs Connect has officially announced the opening of nominations for the 2026 A100: CISOs Top 100 Accelerated CISOs Awards. This annual recognition program identifies security executives who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and measurable business impact during a period where artificial intelligence has structurally altered the global security landscape. Unlike typical industry accolades, the A100 is peer-evaluated by a committee of sitting CISOs, focusing on leaders who can interpret emerging patterns and guide their organizations through continuous technological transformation.
Merit-Based Recognition: The awards are entirely peer-driven and merit-based, with no pay-for-play or sponsorship influence in the selection process.
Eligibility Criteria: Nominees must be sitting CISOs with fewer than five years of experience in the role, demonstrating high-velocity leadership and organizational impact.
AI-Centric Evaluation: Selection focuses on the ability to lead through the structural shifts AI has created in threat formation and business operations.
C100 Distinction: Existing alongside the A100, the C100 category honors seasoned leaders with over five years of experience who shape long-term security strategies.
Expert Judging Panel: The 2026 committee features top security executives from organizations including Accenture, Sandia National Laboratories, and Dayforce.
Strategic Business Role: Recognizes CISOs who have expanded their scope beyond security to act as strategic advisors on business resilience and technology adoption.
The 2026 nomination cycle begins as AI becomes deeply embedded across every business function, changing expectations for security leadership from a cyclical concern to a structural one. Today’s CISOs are expected to do more than manage immediate risks; they must anticipate how emerging technologies reshape entire industries. The A100 Awards highlight those who can provide stability and growth in this transformed environment, ensuring that security keeps pace with the speed of AI-driven innovation.
Sam Masiello, Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer at The Anschutz Corporation, said, "AI has changed what it means to lead security. CISOs now have to look further ahead than ever before — not just managing today's risks, but anticipating how the entire environment will shift. The A100 recognizes the leaders who can see what's coming and prepare their organizations for it."
Because the A100 is judged exclusively by active peers, the medallion serves as a trusted signal of professional competence and strategic foresight. The evaluation process prioritizes real-world leadership over theoretical knowledge, rewarding those who successfully bridge the gap between technical security and enterprise-level business strategy.
Don Baham, CISO of Rubicon Founders, noted, "The role of the CISO has expanded beyond security. We're being asked to understand the business impact of AI, guide strategy, and help shape how our organizations adapt. The A100 honorees reflect that evolution — they're the ones already operating with that forward-looking mindset."
As organizations adapt to lasting shifts in how decisions are made and data is protected, the A100 serves to foster a community of knowledge-sharing and judgment that supports long-term resilience across the global security ecosystem.
CISOs Connect™ is an exclusive, membership-only interactive community of trusted cyber peers and subject-matter experts. It enables security leaders to share knowledge and expertise through proprietary content, research, analysis, and intelligence, while providing a forum for collaboration with trusted colleagues to make informed business and technology decisions. CISOs Connect™ and Security Shark Tank® are lauded for their CISO–driven content, knowledge sharing, and community. The company is purpose-built and led by top global CISOs and subject matter experts, with a differentiated focus on advancing the business through security and technology, as well as through professional development, practical leadership insight, training, and content that reflects the realities of the role.
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