Top Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Recruiters
The right Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) executive can strengthen your organization’s ability to protect its digital assets and maintain a strong security posture. With threats like ransomware attacks and data breaches getting more and more common, a CISO can implement strong security strategies to mitigate the risks.
The average global cost of a data breach in 2025 was $4.44 million, rising to $10.22 million in the US.
And, security breaches don’t just damage you financially, your reputation can also be at stake. That’s why recruiting a top‑tier CISO candidate is a strategic business decision, and not a tech hire that someone else should oversee.
Still, many enterprises struggle with executive recruiting in the cybersecurity domain. It can take months to fill this critical role, given that the talent market is tight. Plus, the role demands technical depth, business acumen, and leadership, which can be tough to screen for.
This is where specialized security and governance‑focused recruiting firms come into play: they have deep networks, executive search methodologies, and domain‑specific insights at their disposal, and can surface qualified CISO candidates efficiently.
In this article, we’ll make the case for working with a CISO recruiter and list the best choices, so you can begin the hunt for your next cybersecurity executive right away.
P.S. Looking for a virtual CISO (vCISO)? Check out the Top 10 Virtual CISO Consulting Services.
TL;DR: Top CISO Recruiters at a Glance
Alpha Apex Group: A boutique executive search firm with a fast average time-to-fill (43 days) and strong cross-functional expertise in CTO, CIO, and CISO placements. They are a perfect match for companies that need hybrid tech-security leaders who can align cybersecurity with digital transformation goals.
Cowen Partners: Specializes in placing CISOs and other tech executives across public, private, and PE-backed companies. They offer deep cybersecurity networks and a proven methodology for securing high-level security leadership.
Korn Ferry: A global consulting firm that specializes in executive search with advanced talent analytics and assessment tools to support CISO hiring. They align cybersecurity roles with broader enterprise business strategies and board-level engagement.
Heller Search: Focuses exclusively on technology leadership roles, including CISOs, with strong networks in security operations and cyber governance. They are a good fit for enterprises that need a CISO who combines technical expertise with executive presence.
Keller Executive Search: Combines structured global search with a 210-day replacement guarantee, backed by the NPAworldwide network across 70+ countries. A great fit for companies that need culturally aligned CISOs with technical and leadership depth.
Benefits of Working with a CISO Recruiter
When you partner with a specialist firm to find your next Chief Information Security Officer, you gain tangible advantages across your cybersecurity and information security strategy.
Here’s how working with a dedicated recruiter can serve your organization amidst growing IT threats.
Faster Access to High‑Calibre Candidates
Executive‑level hiring in cybersecurity is notoriously slow and tricky. Industry data shows the average time to fill a C‑level role typically spans 60 to 120 days or more.
For your security teams and digital security operations, reducing that timeline means you can focus on advancing your security posture.
A reliable recruiter and executive search firm can reduce that time, usually by tapping into their existing networks or headhunting a candidate with the right profile. And given the importance of the role and the department they lead, your company may not be in a position to wait months before the leadership position is filled.
Broader Reach into Passive Talent Pools
Demand for cybersecurity specialists is quite high. Top CISO candidates are rarely actively shopping for a new role. They might already be embedded in mature organizations, leading risk mitigation frameworks, incident response, and cyber resilience programmes.
A professional recruiter brings networks and tools (e.g., AI‑enabled sourcing platforms, specialized executive search software) to surface those high‑impact profiles.
In fact, many executive search firms note that passive candidates account for the majority of their placements.
Better Quality Hire with Reduced Risk
Hiring the wrong CISO, especially for organizations managing significant digital assets, facing regulatory compliance, or operating in a fintech/enterprise‑scale environment, can be expensive.
It’s a well-known fact that a bad hire can cost roughly 30% of their first year’s salary. But that can be even higher for an executive like a CISO.
A specialist recruiter applies rigorous assessment tools, structured interviews, and leadership evaluations. They also ensure that the hire is fully aligned with your security architecture, identity, and access management frameworks. That translates to improved quality of hire and fewer post‑appointment issues.
Also, they understand how the role interfaces with other C‑suite positions (e.g., Chief Technology Officer, Chief Security Officer, Chief AI Officer) and how it ties into broader business processes like digital transformation, cloud computing, vendor risk management, and geopolitically driven cyber warfare scenarios.
Basically, a competent executive search firm can help you find a CISO who fits well into the multifaceted nature of the job.
Top 10 CISO Search Firms and Recruiters
Here are the top CISO search firms and recruiters with a specialty and proven track record in technology recruitment.
1. Alpha Apex Group
Alpha Apex Group is a global executive search and consulting firm, headquartered in Denver, that specializes in matching C-suite talent with organizations facing transformational business challenges.
With knowledge and experience in tech executive recruitment, we understand the requirements for a modern-day CISO. But we go the extra mile to gather the specifics on the goals of the organization, the culture they have, and the industry they’re in to find the right candidates.
Once signed up, the first batch of candidate profiles and CVs is shared within 72 hours. In comparison, even well-known, seasoned recruiters can take weeks to deliver the initial roster of candidates.
Our average time to fill is 43 days, which is 60% faster than the national average.
With our proprietary sourcing tools, we screen and vet hundreds of potential candidates, including passive ones who aren’t actively in the market for a job.
All hires are accompanied by a 90-day replacement guarantee to give you enough time to ensure the hired executive fits the job and your organization well.
That’s why companies like Meta, AWS, Skanska, and Zendesk have trusted us to recruit tech talent and leadership.
Key Services:
Retained Executive Search for C‑suite leadership (e.g., Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Chief Information Officer (CIO), information systems)
Talent Discovery and Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for critical leadership slots
Fractional Executive services to fill leadership gaps or interim appointments
Industry‑agnostic placement capability, including IT & Technology, Healthcare, and Financial Services
Why work with Alpha Apex Group?
You want a CISO who can engage your CTOs and CIOs, tie security architecture into business processes, build cutting-edge security teams, and manage cyber resilience. Alpha Apex Group offers a comprehensive executive search ecosystem that can identify leaders with such a profile.
2. Cowen Partners
Cowen Partners is a retained executive search firm that handles technology and executive leadership placements. They specialize in finding senior‑level cybersecurity leaders who will manage cyber risk, regulatory compliance, and the broader IT security domain.
The firm serves clients across the public, private, pre-IPO, and nonprofit sectors, typically with revenues of $50 million and above, or with assets between approximately $500 million and $15 billion.
In comparison, Alpha Apex Group caters to businesses of all sizes and niches. Even if you’re running a startup with a strong need for a dedicated CISO, our recruiters can find a cybersecurity executive who understands the constraints and unique challenges of your position.
Key Services:
Retained search for Chief Security Officer (CSO), CISO, CTO, CIO roles
Executive search for a wide range of industries, including CPG, Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Private Equity
Candidate sourcing and assessment targeting the “top 1%” of leadership talent
Support for organisations in defining cyber governance and security strategies as part of the search process
Why work with Cowen Partners?
Partnering with Cowen Partners gives you access to a firm that understands the CISO role in today’s cybersecurity space and executes with precision and speed.
3. Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global consultancy that offers executive search and leadership consulting, with a practice that explicitly addresses cybersecurity leadership.
They note that recruiting for the CISO role is as much about human and organizational dynamics as it is about firewalls and technology. And they have the expertise to deliver the kind of leadership required to lead that role.
For organisations looking to strengthen their information security and risk management frameworks, partnering with Korn Ferry means access to a firm with deep reach and a structured methodology for senior-level cyber and security roles.
Key Services:
Retained executive search for technology roles.
Cybersecurity leadership consulting (defining leadership profiles, risk landscape assessment, and aligning security architecture and talent with business strategy)
Talent acquisition analytics and AI‑enabled tools (Success Profiles), blind screening, and large candidate databases to match culture and capability
Interim executive placements and global search coverage
Why work with Korn Ferry?
With global reach and advanced talent analytics tools in recruiting for cyber and digital leadership, they’re well-positioned for complex searches in the information security niche.
4. Heller
Heller Search Associates is a US-based, women‑owned executive search firm that specializes in senior technology leadership roles. They understand how a CISO role has changed from network defence to strategic business leadership. Plus, they maintain “extensive CISO networks” across industry verticals.
They have worked with Fortune 500 companies, private equity firms, and non-profits. Most of their clients leave favorable reviews, indicating a high retention rate.
They take about two weeks to deliver the candidate options, in contrast to AAG, which can deliver options in as little as 72 hours.
But like AAG, Heller Search takes the time to understand the nuances of the job of the CISO and the broader scope of their role in the company’s leadership. That helps them deliver candidates at a faster rate as all the requirements are crystal clear from the beginning.
Key Services:
Tech executive search, including CISO, CIO, CTO, CDO, CPO, and more
Mapping of passive talent in the security and IT industry, and detailed screening
Client portal to view the work in progress
Global reach for specific tech roles
Why work with Heller?
If you need a CISO who merges deep information security expertise with board‑level gravitas and open collaboration, Heller Search Associates is a strong partner.
5. Keller
Keller specializes in C‑suite and senior technology leadership recruiting. Their partnership with NPAworldwide allows them to cater to companies around the world and deliver cross-border executives.
Their process framework includes a 7‑step search methodology: requirements & planning, candidate search, assessments, shortlist, interviews, selection, and offer & placement.
Like us, they emphasize sourcing both active and passive candidate pools and building short‑lists tailored to culture, technical skills, and leadership capability.
They also offer a placement guarantee. You can get a 210‑day replacement coverage if the candidate doesn’t meet expectations within that window.
Key Services:
Executive search and recruitment consultancy
Transition and succession planning with services like interim executives.
Global passive‑talent sourcing via NPAworldwide network (71 countries) to identify relevant candidates
Candidate assessment, including leadership capability, motivational drivers, personality profiling, and mapping to organisational culture
Growth and development services, including employee and executive coaching
Why work with Keller?
Keller fills over 14,000 executive positions annually with a database of candidates and the capability to find talent both actively and passively.
6. Franklin Fitch
Franklin Fitch is a specialist recruitment consultancy with a strong focus on cybersecurity and information security roles.
Like AAG, the consultants at Franklin Fitch understand the requirements and challenges of the organization and study the industry trends in terms of skills and capabilities. This way, they create an ideal profile of the executive against which to measure the candidates.
They offer retained, contingent, embedded, and contract recruitment solutions for executive hiring. That provides enough flexibility for companies to choose a model that best meets their needs and budget.
They have extensive experience in helping companies source talent to build systems that protect digital assets and navigate cyber threats. They operate globally, with presence in the UK, the US, and Germany.
Key Services:
Retained, contingent, and contract search for Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and senior information security leadership roles
Talent acquisition support across information systems, security architecture, vulnerability assessments, and security operations
Embedded recruitment services where their team acts as an extension of your Talent Acquisition or IT team
Global reach and multi‑model staffing: permanent, contract, and embedded hires
Why work with Franklin Fitch?
Franklin Fitch is one of the few executive search firms that specializes in IT-related fields, including cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, and networking.
Discover the Top Fractional CISO Services
7. Scion Technology
Scion Technology is another firm that exclusively focuses on tech executive search.
Their experience and expertise allow them to actively and passively seek out the best talent in information security leadership.
In the past, they have worked with ambitious, growth-focused companies. They understand what it takes to find the talent that aligns with the drive of an expanding organization.
While the screening and interview process can seem quite lengthy, Scion Technology offers a 98% retention guarantee. That ensures that the executive you end up hiring sticks for the long run and delivers the goals expected of them.
Key Services:
Tech executive active and passive search
Candidate sourcing and talent‑pipeline development
Remote talent recruitment
Hiring support with multi-level assistance
International recruitment pipeline and remote‑capable leadership sourcing
Why work with Scion Technology?
Scion Technology positions itself as a partner capable of sourcing executive talent that bridges both technology leadership and cyber governance responsibilities.
8. Bespoke Partners
Bespoke Partners is a US-based executive search and leadership advisory firm that caters mainly to software and SaaS companies.
They have a network of over 700,000 top executives across the software and SaaS sector. Similarly, their data-driven search and deep specialization in software/SaaS provide them with coverage across 28 sub-sectors.
If you’re looking to choose from a wider pool of candidates, they can make that happen. In a recent example, in one cybersecurity CEO search, they expanded the candidate pool from 18 to 329 qualified candidates using their platform.
Key Services:
Retained search for senior leadership roles in software/SaaS environments, including CISO, CTO, CIO, and other technology executive positions
Data‑driven talent market mapping (e.g., AI‑enhanced “Calibrator” tool) to identify passive and active candidates across functions
Private equity‑portfolio leadership services
Placement guarantees and quality assurance (two‑year guarantee for executives placed)
Why work with Bespoke Partners?
If you’re operating in a growth‑oriented, software‑driven business, Bespoke Partners is well aligned. They bring a strong network in technology leadership, data‑driven sourcing tools, and a guaranteed structure that reduces hiring risk.
9. Christian & Timbers
Christian & Timbers is a technology‑focused executive search firm that places C‑suite executives in high‑growth environments, including senior cybersecurity leadership like CISOs.
Their model uses talent engineering (proprietary scorecards and networks), global reach and retained executive search. They call it the Science of Talent Engineering. As a result, they’re a strong option when you need a CISO who can drive security strategy, cyber governance, and align security with business objectives.
Their clients include Fortune 500 companies and AI startups. And they deliver a decent speed. Ezequeil Steiner, CEO of Acronis, says:
“The team at Christian & Timbers drove a very tight process and completed our CISO search in less than 70 days. We needed someone in Boston with a very specific skill set. C&T executes exactly as they commit.”
Although 70 days is a good benchmark compared to industry numbers, Alpha Apex Group is capable of reducing that to 43 days.
Key Services
Retained executive search for CISOs and senior cyber/security executives
Talent‑mapping and scorecard‑based assessment (their “Science of Talent Engineering™” methodology)
Market research and thought leadership (including compensation studies for cybersecurity executives)
Why work with Christian & Timbers?
Christian & Timbers offers niche expertise and data‑driven recruiting. They have done it time and again and helped big names like Apple, Broadcom, and McAfee.
10. The Good Search
The Good Search is a retained executive headhunter with a strong focus on technology leadership. What’s different about them is their approach to finding executive talent, which is more investigative than research-oriented.
They take this route to properly vet potential candidates and find only the best matches, who are most likely to succeed. At AAG, we hold the same standard. Because the right security leader protects the organization’s reputation, reduces risk exposure, and strengthens long-term resilience.
They don’t just limit the search to active cybersecurity executive candidates but widen the pool by going after passive choices, who often bring deeper experience and a stronger track record of stability.
Key Services:
Retained executive search for tech C‑suite and senior executive positions
Investigative retained search and active headhunting of passive candidates
Diversity & inclusion recruiting (Diversity recruiting)
Focus on major cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Austin
Why work with The Good Search?
Their model opens doors to broader talent pools than standard recruiting, allowing them to support DEI objectives while maintaining high standards for executive capability.
How to Choose the Right CISO Recruiter
When you’re searching for a senior leader like a CISO, partnering with the right recruiting firm is just as critical as the hire itself. In the cybersecurity environment, you need a recruiter who can deliver candidates ready to shape security architecture, engage with CTOs/CIOs, and mitigate new cyber risks.
With the average CISO tenure sitting at just 18 to 26 months in many organizations, the pressure to get it right is real.
Here are key factors you should evaluate to ensure your search firm is the right fit for such a high‑stakes hire:
Industry and Functional Specialization
Choose a firm with proven experience in recruiting security leadership rather than general executive search.
A global survey found that more than half the clients ranked the consultant’s specific industry/functional knowledge as the top factor in selecting an executive search partner.
For example, you should ask:
Have they placed CISOs in companies of similar size and regulated industry (e.g., fintech, private equity‑backed, enterprise scale)?
Do they have candidates experienced with security operations, third‑party vulnerabilities, digital assets protection, and cyber threats, not just CIO/CTO roles?
Clear Methodology and Process Alignment
Your recruiter should clearly articulate how they source and assess candidates. Look for firms that have structured processes that are well-defined and structured, like discovery, candidate mapping, behavioural assessment, shortlist, and onboarding support.
More importantly, these processes should align with your own business processes and security governance needs.
This will ensure they are capable of hiring tech executives who can handle both technical and strategic dimensions of the role.
Access to Passive and Hard‑to‑Find Talent
CISO oversees the cybersecurity strategy and data protection regulation compliance. That requires technical skills, comprehensive knowledge about security standards, and good management (as it’s a leadership role after all).
In many cases, you may need to actively headhunt the right person, which is what the recruiter should be able to do on your behalf. Look for a recruiter with a deep passive‑talent pipeline, and ask for case examples where they sourced candidates not listed on job boards or generic databases.
This matters especially when your organization is dealing with supply chain security, cloud migration, or artificial intelligence-related security challenges, and you need a battle-tested leader.
Culture Fit and Communication
The CISO will be interfacing with CTOs, CIOs, board members, and your IT team. The recruiting partner must understand your business culture, how your IT infrastructure and security teams operate, and how security leadership integrates with business processes and customer experience. That information will help them find the best match.
Ensure the firm is willing to invest time in understanding your unique environment. That way, they can find an executive who also meets the needs of stakeholders. That’s all the more relevant in the case of private equity-backed startups, such as fintech software development, where cybersecurity is particularly important.
Transparent communication, reference‑checking, and a collaborative process are critical.
Post‑Placement Support
Understand how the recruiter handles replacements and support after hire. This is particularly important, considering that a CISO is liable for compliance with data protection regulations. And those regulations have been getting stricter.
Due to compliance risks and a lack of support, 75% of CISOs expressed interest in a job change in a survey.
A good recruiter will provide replacement guarantees, onboarding support, and candidate followup to ensure your new CISO settles in and aligns with your security architecture, incident response protocols, and risk mitigation frameworks.
Find Your Next CISO
Working with a specialist CISO recruiter, you can gain access to hard‑to‑find candidates, accelerate time‑to‑hire, and reduce the risk of mis‑hire. At the same time, you are aligning your new hire with the core business strategy and IT infrastructure. In other words, the executive fits in like a glove.
But all of that is only possible when you choose a recruiter with the expertise, experience, and network to deliver, like Alpha Apex Group.
We have placed over 2,000 executives in companies of all sizes. With our 90-day replacement guarantee and quick turnaround of just 72 hours for first profiles, you can rest assured that you’ll have a CISO in their seat quicker than most other recruiters.
Remember: the right partner will not only understand technical domains but also culture, leadership, business context, regulatory complexity, and new threats.
When you choose wisely, the result is a CISO who empowers your enterprise to defend its digital assets, build resilient security operations, and stay ahead of cyberattack vectors rather than reacting to them.
Ready to get started? Let’s get in touch!
FAQ
What is the difference between a CISO and a CIO or CTO?
A CISO focuses on protecting information systems, managing cybersecurity risk, overseeing incident response, and aligning security strategy with business objectives. A CIO typically oversees IT operations and infrastructure, and a CTO drives technological innovation and research & development.
Why use a specialist CISO recruiter rather than the internal HR or a generic executive search firm?
Because the CISO role sits at the intersection of cybersecurity, business strategy, and risk management, specialist recruiters have deeper networks in cyber leadership, understand nuanced security domains, and can access passive candidates who aren’t actively searching. They help shorten the search cycle and improve hire quality.
What should I expect regarding time-to-hire and risk when recruiting a CISO?
Executive searches for roles like CISO can take several months (commonly 3‑9 months) and involve significant risk if the hire doesn’t align with business or security strategy. Hasty hires can leave you vulnerable to security threats or compliance breaches. However, at Alpha Apex Group, our average time to fill is just 43 days, so that’s the duration you can expect regarding time-to-hire.
How can I ensure the recruiter I select will deliver candidates who match our specific needs (industry, regulatory, scale)?
Ask for the recruiter’s track record in your industry, their process for assessing functional expertise, how they evaluate candidate business alignment, and what guarantees or replacement policies they provide. Also, assess their understanding of your company’s culture, IT team structure, and strategic priorities.
