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Program Background

The current business climate has seen an unprecedented number of cybersecurity related headlines. Hackers to Nation State actors have been shown to be constantly probing Organizations defenses with the intent to break in, disrupt operations, monetize information, and steal intellectual property. Between these threats and the increasing regulatory climate, never has the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) been asked to navigate more difficult terrain.

Originally patterned after the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Year Award sponsored by the Association of Information Technology Professionals (AITP Chicago), SIM-Chicago and the Executive Club of Chicago, this program seeks to recognize outstanding CISOs for the contributions they make to their organizations, the Information Security profession and the local community. The award process is overseen by the Chicago CISO of the Year Program, which is a not-for-profit affiliated with AITP Chicago and managed by local area security leader volunteers.

Previous Winners

These are the previous winners of the Award.

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2023 Darin Hurd

ENTERPRISE

CISO, Guaranteed Rate

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2021 Ricardo Lafosse

CISO, Kraft Heinz

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2017 Erik Decker

Chief Security & Privacy Officer, University of Chicago Medicine

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2013 Jason Witty

CISO & SVP, US Bank

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2023 Neil Witek

MIDCAP

CISO, Oak Street Health

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2020 Paige Adams

Global CISO, Zurich Insurance

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2016 Todd Fitzgerald

CISO, Grant Thornton International Ltd.

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2022 Mahmood Khan

ENTERPRISE

SVP & CISO, CNA Insurance

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2019 Jill Rhodes

CISO, Option Care

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2015 Kevin Novak

CISO and Technology Risk Officer, Northern Trust Bank

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2022 Walter Leffman

MIDCAP

CISO, Chicago Trading Corporation

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2018 Bradley Schaufenbuel

CISO & VP, Paylocity

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2014 Arlan McMillan

CISO, Department of Innovation and Technology, City of Chicago

Contact Us!

On behalf of the Program Committee, prior winners, nominees, partners, sponsors and the CISOs of the Chicago region, thank you for your participation in the Program.

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