Our Story at CISO Advisory Council

 Brad's 20 years of experience, work with top cybersecurity companies, and founding of the 6,000+ member CISO Network are incredibly strong assets. When discussing a service that aims to build brand awareness or facilitate executive engagement within the CISO community, Brad's name becomes a central pillar of the value proposition.

Here's how his profile reinforces the value proposition and what it implies for the services we discussed:

1. Unparalleled Credibility & Trust:

• "20 Year Cybersecurity Executive": This immediately signals deep experience and a comprehensive understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, both technical and strategic. It tells potential clients that Brad isn't just an academic; he's been in the trenches.
• "Working with top Cybersecurity companies in the world as an Advisor and Field CISO": This highlights his high-level strategic advisory capabilities and his experience in directly interfacing with client executives. It implies he understands how leading companies operate and what makes them successful.
• Impact: When Brad's name is associated with a service, it instantly bestows a high level of credibility and trust. Clients know they are working with someone who truly understands the executive cybersecurity world from the inside out.

2. Direct Access to a Vetted, Engaged Network:

• "Founder of the CISO Network with over 6000 members": This is arguably the most powerful point. It's not just a large network; it's his network. He built it, curated it, and commands respect within it. This implies: 
  • Authentic Relationships: These are not just cold contacts; these are relationships built over time.
  • Influential Reach: 6,000+ CISOs represent a massive segment of global cybersecurity leadership.
  • Established Trust: Members likely trust Brad and the platform he created, making them more receptive to initiatives he endorses or facilitates.
  • Curated Audience: The network isn't just anyone; it's explicitly for CISOs, meaning the audience is highly targeted and relevant.
• Impact: For a brand awareness service, this translates directly into a unique ability to facilitate warm introductions, targeted messaging, and authentic engagement that traditional marketing simply cannot achieve. It reduces the "cold start" problem significantly.

Our Strategic Engagement Service specializes in facilitating meaningful connections and driving impactful interactions within the exclusive CISO Network Community. Led by Maurice Stebila, a highly respected former enterprise CISO at industry giants like Harman (a Samsung Company) and with extensive experience at General Motors (GM)/EDS, this service leverages his deep, practical understanding of CISO needs and strategic decision-making to position your offerings as essential solutions for cybersecurity leaders.

Who is your ideal client?

The ideal client for this specialized Strategic Engagement Service includes:

• Cybersecurity Product Vendors: Especially those targeting enterprise-level security decision-makers (CISOs, CIOs, Heads of Security Operations).
• Cybersecurity Consulting Firms: Seeking to establish themselves as go-to experts for strategic security advice.
• Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs): Aiming to be perceived as a top-tier, reliable partner for complex security needs.
• Cybersecurity Startups & Emerging Technologies: Needing to rapidly establish credibility and gain mindshare among influential CISOs.
• Established Security Companies: Launching new services, products, or expanding into new market segments within the CISO purview.
• Any organization whose success hinges on building trust and relationships with senior cybersecurity executives.

What specific problems or pain points does this service solve for those clients?

• Difficulty Accessing Key Decision-Makers: CISOs are busy, inundated with sales pitches, and often rely on trusted peer recommendations. Gaining direct access and genuine attention is challenging.
• Struggling to Translate Technical Value: Many companies struggle to articulate the business impact of their solutions to C-level executives who prioritize risk, revenue, compliance, and competitive advantage.
• Ineffective Messaging: Pitches and marketing content don't resonate with executive-level concerns, failing to differentiate offerings in a crowded market.
• Lack of Strategic Insight: Without an insider's perspective, companies often misinterpret CISO priorities, leading to misaligned product roadmaps or sales strategies.
• Long Sales Cycles: Building trust at the executive level takes time; without pre-existing relationships, sales processes can be significantly prolonged.
• Limited Referrals: Not enough warm introductions or organic referrals coming from the CISO community due to a lack of genuine connection.
• Over-reliance on Cold Outreach: Traditional sales and marketing tactics often fall flat with senior security leaders.

What are the key benefits or outcomes clients can expect?

• Direct & Meaningful Engagement: Facilitate direct, high-value interactions with key CISO decision-makers and their peers, cutting through the noise.
• Enhanced Credibility & Trust: Position your organization as a respected authority and trusted advisor within the CISO community, leveraging Maurice's established reputation.
• Accelerated Sales Cycles: Pre-existing trust and direct engagement can lead to shorter sales cycles and higher conversion rates.
• Strategic Messaging Alignment: Refine your messaging to speak directly to the CISO's strategic priorities (risk reduction, compliance, business enablement, talent retention) with the authenticity of a former peer.
• Valuable Referrals & Endorsements: Cultivate organic word-of-mouth marketing and endorsements from within the CISO community.
• Unparalleled Market Intelligence: Gain direct insights into CISO needs, challenges, and preferences to refine your product and go-to-market strategies.
• Competitive Differentiation: Stand out in a crowded market by establishing a unique reputation for expertise and trust among CISOs.
• Increased Executive Dialogue: Drive higher participation in executive-focused events, webinars, and briefings.

Jennifer Shook's 15 years of experience, her role as Co-Founder of the CISO Network, and her background in engagement and business development are incredibly valuable assets. She complements Brad's executive and advisory experience by bringing deep operational knowledge of how to build and nurture a successful network, as well as a strong understanding of vendor-CISO dynamics.

Here's how her profile reinforces the value proposition and what it implies for the services we discussed:

1. Foundational Expertise in Community Building & Engagement:

• "Co-Founder CISO Network 15 years": This immediately positions Jennifer as a foundational architect and long-term steward of the CISO Network. It signifies: 
  • Deep Understanding of Community Dynamics: She understands what makes a network thrive, what keeps members engaged, and how to foster trust and valuable interactions.
  • Longevity and Consistency: 15 years speaks to her sustained commitment and success in building this vital community.
  • Strategic Vision: As a co-founder, she was instrumental in shaping the network's purpose and growth.
• Impact: Clients can be assured that the CISO Network is not just a list of contacts, but a genuinely cultivated and engaged community, thanks to Jennifer's long-standing dedication to its growth and engagement. Her presence ensures that strategies are built on a deep understanding of network dynamics, not just theoretical concepts.

2. Bridging Vendors and CISOs Effectively:

• Background in Business Development & Engagement (e.g., Security Strategist, Account Director): Her previous roles with cybersecurity companies like KnowBe4, Contrast Security, and Imperva, particularly in introducing solutions to Fortune 1000 companies, are critical. This means she: 
  • Understands the Vendor's Perspective: She knows the challenges cybersecurity product vendors face in reaching and converting executive buyers.
  • Understands CISO Needs from a Vendor Lens: She has experience translating technical features into business value for enterprise clients.
  • Expert in Relationship Building: Her "Director of Engagement" role at CISO Network further emphasizes her skill in fostering valuable connections.
• Impact: Jennifer provides a unique bridge. She understands the pain points of the vendor trying to reach CISOs, and equally, she understands what CISOs need and expect from vendors within a trusted network environment. This ensures that any engagement strategy facilitated through the CISO Network is effective, respectful, and geared towards mutual value.

3. Operational Excellence and Event Acumen:

• Executive Program Director at CISO Roadshow (recent role): This highlights her direct experience in organizing and executing high-level events specifically for CISOs.
• Impact: For services involving events, roundtables, or targeted engagements, Jennifer's operational and program leadership ensures seamless execution and a high-quality experience for both clients and the CISOs they aim to reach. She understands the nuances of making executive interactions productive and valuable.

4. Unique Value Proposition for Brand Awareness Leveraging the CISO Network Community (Enhanced with Jennifer's Profile):

When both Brad Haizlett and Jennifer Shook are positioned as key figures, the "Brand Awareness Service: Leveraging the CISO Network Community" becomes an even more formidable offering.

• Elevated Service Offering Statement: "Co-founded by Jennifer Shook and led by cybersecurity executive Brad Haizlett, our Brand Awareness Service offers unparalleled, authentic access and strategic guidance to establish your brand as a trusted authority within the exclusive, 6,000+ member CISO Network community. Leverage 15 years of dedicated community building and two decades of executive cybersecurity insights."
• Addressing Pain Points (Combined Strength): "Many brands struggle to penetrate the CISO 'inner circle' and convert technical prowess into strategic value. Through the combined leadership of Brad Haizlett's executive insights and Jennifer Shook's expert community engagement, we provide a unique pathway to genuine connection and brand elevation, ensuring your message resonates directly with top cybersecurity decision-makers."
• Key Benefits (Reinforced): "Clients gain not only unmatched credibility and direct access to influential CISOs, but also the assurance that every interaction is strategically optimized for impact and trust. Jennifer Shook's deep understanding of community dynamics ensures your brand integrates seamlessly and respectfully within the CISO Network, leading to more meaningful relationships, accelerated sales, and invaluable market intelligence."
• How it Leverages the Network (with both Brad & Jennifer's direct involvement): 
  • "Strategically planned and executed engagements by Jennifer Shook" to ensure seamless, high-quality interactions within the CISO Network.
  • "Co-facilitated sessions or introductions by both Brad and Jennifer" to provide clients with a dual-perspective approach to CISO engagement (strategic and relational).
  • "Leveraging Jennifer's expertise in business development" to refine client's go-to-market strategies specifically for the CISO audience, informed by her past vendor-side experience.
  • "Access to the CISO Network's well-established communication channels and events", expertly managed by Jennifer's team, for targeted brand amplification.