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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Top Security Executives Recognized at the 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Awards
Leading CISOs honored for leadership, security, and business impact. BOSTON, June 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Awards recognized the exceptional leadership and cyber resilience of top security executives from MassMutual, Hologic, Clean Harbors, Cengage Learning, NETSCOUT Systems, Inc., ElevateBio & CVS Health. The prestigious ORBIE Awards - hosted by BostonCISO, a chapter of the Inspire Leadership Network - honor CISOs who drive business transformation and industry impact. Winners were recognized across seven categories: Super Global, Global, Large Enterprise, Enterprise, Large Corporate, Corporate, and Leadership. The ceremony, which took place at the Westin Boston Seaport, brought together top executives and industry leaders to celebrate excellence in security leadership. "Great CISOs recognize the power of collaboration and trusted relationships," said Bob Litterer, BostonCISO Chair. 'The BostonCISO ORBIE® Awards embody this by connecting, inspiring, and honoring CISOs for their leadership and the value they bring to Boston's businesses through enterprise security.' Meet the 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Award Winners: ›› Chandra McMahon, SVP & CISO of CVS Health, received the Leadership ORBIE. ›› Eric Boateng, CISO & Head of Enterprise Cyber Security of MassMutual, received the Super Global ORBIE for organizations over $7.5 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations. ›› Pietr Lindahl, CISO of Hologic, received the Global ORBIE for organizations over $1.2 billion annual revenue & multi-national operations. ›› Richard Walzer, CISO of Clean Harbors, received the Large Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $3 billion annual revenue. ›› Eric Galis, SVP & CISO of Cengage Learning, received the Enterprise ORBIE for organizations over $1 billion annual revenue. ›› Debby Briggs, VP & CISO of NETSCOUT Systems, Inc., received the Large Corporate ORBIE for organizations over $420 million annual revenue. ›› Christian Hamer, VP, Head of Information Security of ElevateBio, received the Corporate ORBIE for organizations up to $410 million annual revenue. About the ORBIE: The ORBIE is the preeminent executive recognition for C-suite leaders. Since 1998, the ORBIE Awards have recognized leadership excellence, building relationships between executives and trusted business partners, and inspiring the next generation of executives. Finalists and winners are selected through an independent peer-adjudicated process led by prior ORBIE recipients based on the following criteria: Leadership and management effectiveness Business protection created by enterprise security Engagement in industry and community endeavors BostonCISO ORBIE Keynote & Attendance: The keynote address for the BostonCISO ORBIE Awards was delivered by Chandra McMahon, SVP & CISO of CVS Health, who was interviewed by Bob Litterer, CISO of Teradyne. Over 300 guests attended, representing leading New England organizations and their technology partners. The following sponsors made the 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Awards possible: Underwriters: Fortinet & Google Cloud Gold Sponsors: eSHARE, Nuharbor Security & Optiv Silver Sponsors: Okta, Red Canary, Tanium & Wiz Bronze Sponsors: Advizex Technologies, Aqueduct Technologies, Armis, Between Pixels, Blue Mantis, CGI, Charles River Associates, DataPivot Technologies, Guidepoint Security, K logix Security, Proofpoint, PwC, RSM US, SentinelOne, WEI & Winslow Technology Group Media Partner: Boston Business Journal National Partner: Year Up United To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and how to connect with leading C-suite executives across North America, click here. About BostonCISO: BostonCISO is the preeminent peer leadership network of chief information security officers (CISOs) in New England. As one of over 40 chapters of the Inspire Leadership Network, BostonCISO belongs to a national membership organization exclusively comprised of C-suite leaders from public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and nonprofit institutions. BostonCISO is led by a CISO Advisory Board, with support from an executive director and staff. Underwriter executives support the chapter and ensure the programs remain non-commercial and exclusive to qualified CISOs and members. About Inspire Leadership Network: Inspire Leadership Network is the preeminent peer leadership network of C-suite executives. With nearly 2,000 members across more than 40 local chapters, Inspire members serve public and private businesses, government, education, healthcare, and non-profit institutions. Inspire exists to help leaders thrive in today's most challenging executive roles. Media ContactNicole A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
Business Journals
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
BostonCISO ORBIE Leadership Award recipient: CVS Health CISO Chandra McMahon on why the role is more strategic than ever — and advice for future leaders
expand Chandra McMahon, senior vice president and chief information security officer (CISO) at CVS Health . Chandra McMahon is a seasoned cybersecurity executive and board member with over 30 years of experience leading complex security and technology programs across the health care, telecommunications and defense industries. She most recently served as senior vice president and chief information security officer (CISO) at CVS Health, where she was responsible for the company's enterprise-wide information security strategy, governance, risk management and operations. In this role, she led initiatives to protect customer and company data and also acted as the executive sponsor of CVS Health's Women in Technology forum, advocating for women's leadership in technology. Prior to CVS Health, McMahon was the CISO at Verizon, overseeing the company's cybersecurity strategy and operations. Earlier in her career, she held multiple leadership roles at Lockheed Martin, including vice president and CISO, vice president of Commercial Markets and president of Lockheed Martin Corporate Properties Inc. McMahon currently serves on the board of directors at EPAM Systems as an independent director and member of the audit committee. She also serves on the Aspen Institute Cyber Strategy Group, a cross-sector public-private forum focused on translating pressing cybersecurity conversations into action. McMahon holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from Virginia Tech, a Master in Engineering Science from Penn State University and several cybersecurity certifications. Recognized as one of the Top 100 CISOs by Security Current CISO Connect and inducted into the CSO Hall of Fame, McMahon is also a passionate advocate for reducing burnout and improving mental health within the cybersecurity community. McMahon is the recipient of the Leadership Award as part of the 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Awards. She provided insights below about the biggest challenges facing CISOs and advice for future generations. What does the Leadership Award honor mean to you? Winning the CISO Leadership Award is a profound honor that reflects the dedication and brilliance of the cybersecurity teams I have had the privilege of leading. It signifies more than personal achievement — it's a testament to our shared commitment to safeguard customer information, enable seamless access to services and build a future where trust, innovation and customer service go hand in hand. This award inspires us to keep pushing boundaries, knowing that our work truly makes a difference for every customer we serve. What are some of the biggest challenges facing CISOs? CISOs today face a perfect storm of challenges: delivering business value and safeguarding asset integrity while navigating the explosive proliferation of AI — which has accelerated the speed, scale and sophistication of cyber threats across an ever-expanding enterprise landscape. Attackers now leverage AI to automate attacks and exploit vulnerabilities faster than traditional defenses can respond, while defenders race to harness the same technologies for real-time detection and response. The complexity of managing security across interconnected supply chains, cloud environments and third parties increases risk and reduces visibility, making holistic oversight critical. At the same time, CISOs must clearly demonstrate the value of cybersecurity investments to boards and stakeholders, translating technical risk into business impact and fostering trust at every level. Effective CISOs now demand a rare blend of technical expertise, business acumen and strategic leadership to protect not just data, but the organization's reputation and future. How has the role of the CISO evolved in recent years? The CISO role has rapidly transformed from a technical guardian to a strategic business leader. No longer confined to IT, today's CISOs are integral to executive decision-making, often reporting directly to the CEO and holding a seat at the boardroom table. Their responsibilities now include shaping enterprise risk strategy, driving digital transformation and aligning security with business objectives. As organizations digitize and regulatory scrutiny intensifies, CISOs must bridge technical and business language, manage stakeholder expectations and foster a culture of resilience and trust. The modern CISO is a catalyst for innovation, a builder of cross-functional alliances and a visible champion for both security and value realization — proving that cybersecurity is not just a technical imperative, but a foundational business enabler. Do you have any advice for future generations of CISOs? My advice to the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is to embrace your role as both protector and innovator. Find your passion within this vast field — whether it's hands-on technical work, strategic leadership or bridging the gap between technology and your customers — and let that guide your journey. Marrying purpose with passion in cybersecurity means finding deep meaning in every challenge and every solution. When you align your drive to innovate with the higher calling of protecting lives and empowering communities, your work becomes more than just a job — it becomes a mission. Stay curious, adaptable and committed to continuous growth. Seek mentors, build your network and share what you learn — your voice and expertise can inspire others and drive meaningful change. In this field, passion ignites progress, and purpose gives it direction; together, they transform obstacles into opportunities to make a real, lasting difference. Above all, remember that cybersecurity, whether in health care or any other industry, is ultimately about people. Your vigilance protects not just data, but the trust, dignity and well-being of every patient, customer and individual you serve. Lead with integrity, collaborate across disciplines and let your sense of purpose fuel your pursuit of excellence. The future of our profession — and the technological advancement and security of countless others — will be shaped by your dedication and vision.
