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Colin A.
Cybersecurity Executive | Driving Innovation & Resilience | Board Director | Startup Advisor & Investor | Husband, Father, & Coach
Colin A. is an experienced cybersecurity executive currently serving as the Senior Vice President (SVP) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Dayforce.2 Here's an overview of his background and career:
Education and Certifications
Colin holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and a Master of Science in Information Management from Capella University.2 He is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), having obtained this certification in January 2001.2
Career Path
Colin's journey to becoming a CISO was somewhat circuitous. He began his career in finance, working as a finance manager on Bank of America's trading floor. However, he soon realized that the cutthroat environment wasn't for him and pivoted towards market data feeds and security around trading floors.1
This transition coincided with the rise of cybersecurity in the 1990s, which piqued Colin's interest. His background in finance gave him a solid understanding of risk and business operations, which has proven valuable in his cybersecurity career.1
Leadership Philosophy
As a CISO, Colin emphasizes:
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Soft skills over technical expertise: He considers himself a "people person" and values communication and relationship-building skills.1
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Connecting cybersecurity to business goals: Colin strives to ensure that security is an enabler rather than just a cost center.1
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Talent development: He prioritizes mentoring team leaders and building on their individual strengths.1
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Process-centric approach: Colin believes in molding technology around people and processes, rather than the other way around.1
Industry Recognition
Colin has received recognition for his contributions to the cybersecurity field. He conceptualized CISO Connect's Top 100 CISOs peer awards and has been included in the 2024 CISO 100 list.3
Throughout his career, Colin has demonstrated a commitment to driving innovation, resilience, and effective cybersecurity strategies in various leadership roles.
Highlights
Truly a honor to be part of the 2024 CISO 100 and to receive the first CISO 100 Champion award. It is wonderful to be recognized by your peers for your contributions to the CISO community. What makes this award so special is that it is awarded by a board of distinguished CISOs and has strict award criteria focused on giving back to the community, developing others, and not who writes the biggest check. Thank you to CISOs Connect and the distinguished panel of CISO 100 judges who had to review over 900+ CISO 100 nominations!
I am truly honored to receive the CISO Visionary Award. Thank you to CISOs Connect, Aimee, David, and all the judges who invested many hours into the difficult task of selecting the C100 for 2023. I know there are some truly exceptional CISOs in our industry whom I admire and respect. To have CISOs Connect consider me one of the C100 who is giving back and helping to elevate the CISO role is truly humbling. What CISOs Connect has established here with this peer driven and judged award is truly special. Thank you CISOs Connect!
