EC-Council Publishes Certified CISO Hall of Fame 2025 Report, Outlining the Rise of the AI-Era Cybersecurity Executive

(SeaPRwire) –   A global study honoring 50 Hall of Fame inductees indicates that AI governance, enterprise resilience, and boardroom influence are molding the future of executive leadership in cybersecurity

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., May 20, 2026 — EC-Council, the creator of the globally recognized Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification and a trailblazer in cybersecurity education and executive leadership training, has unveiled its flagship Certified CISO Hall of Fame 2025 Report. This pivotal global study captures the evolution of cybersecurity leadership during a period when artificial intelligence, regulatory demands, and enterprise risk are altering boardroom priorities across the world.

The report honors 50 cybersecurity executives from prominent global entities, including Microsoft, Google, Amazon Web Services, Citibank, PwC, KPMG, Accenture, and World Bank Group. This recognition highlights the expanding impact of EC-Council’s Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) program on molding the future of enterprise cybersecurity leadership.

Derived from insights collected from 346 Certified CISOs spanning more than 87 nations, the report ranks among the industry’s most thorough analyses dedicated solely to executive cybersecurity leadership. The findings indicate that companies are quickly changing their expectations for CISOs, moving past simple technical management to include broad business leadership, mature governance, resilience planning, financial responsibility, and influence at the board level.

Artificial intelligence is central to this transformation. The report shows that three-quarters of respondents view AI threat response capability as the most critical executive cybersecurity leadership skill through 2028. Additionally, 80% stated their organizations are currently adopting or moving toward AI-based cybersecurity operations. These results point to a clear industry shift from reactive security measures to predictive, intelligence-led defense models.

The report also disclosed:

• 100% of respondents endorse CCISO as a key step for future cybersecurity leaders
• 98% expressed greater confidence in making business-focused cybersecurity decisions after obtaining the certification
• 97% said the program enhanced their capacity to communicate with boards and executive teams
• Almost 9 in 10 professionals attributed their move from technical roles to executive leadership to CCISO
• 75% of respondents reported receiving a promotion or salary increase after certification

With cyber resilience becoming a critical business directive for boards, the report establishes CCISO as a top credential for executive cybersecurity leadership. It is designed to close the growing divide between technical skills and enterprise leadership abilities.

“Cybersecurity leadership is not just about managing infrastructure or handling incidents anymore,” stated Jay Bavisi, Group President of EC-Council. “Modern organizations need leaders who can synchronize cybersecurity with business goals, articulate enterprise risks to the board, oversee AI and emerging technologies responsibly, and steer resilience through complex digital ecosystems. As AI transforms both business operations and threat landscapes, the CISO role is becoming one of the most vital leadership roles in business today. The insights from the Certified CISO Hall of Fame 2025 Report demonstrate a significant global change in the definition of cybersecurity leadership.”

Distinct from standard technical certifications, CCISO is tailored for senior cybersecurity professionals working at a strategic and executive tier. The curriculum focuses on governance, enterprise risk management, security strategy, financial management, compliance, leadership communication, and decision-making. This empowers cybersecurity leaders to function effectively in contemporary enterprise settings.

The CCISO certification is provided by an ANAB-accredited body meeting ISO/IEC 17024 standards and is accepted under U.S. DoD 8140/8570 guidelines. Its adoption is growing among Fortune 500 companies, government bodies, military branches, financial firms, healthcare organizations, energy providers, and critical infrastructure sectors worldwide.

The study also underscores how cybersecurity leadership is playing a larger role in investor confidence, operational continuity, regulatory compliance, corporate trust, and sustained business growth as organizations deal with a fast-changing AI-centric threat environment.

“Future CISOs will not be judged solely on their technical ability to protect infrastructure and systems,” Bavisi continued. “Their success will be determined by how well they manage risks driven by AI, direct business resilience, govern new technologies, and foster trust across the organization.”

The complete Certified CISO Hall of Fame 2025 Report can now be accessed via EC-Council’s official website.

About EC-Council: 
EC-Council is the organization behind the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) program and a frontrunner in cybersecurity education. Established in 2001, EC-Council aims to deliver top-tier training and certifications to help cybersecurity professionals protect organizations from cyber threats. The organization provides more than 200 certifications and degrees across multiple cybersecurity fields, such as forensics, security analysis, threat intelligence, and information security.

As an ISO/IEC 17024 accredited entity, EC-Council has certified more than 400,000 professionals globally, serving clients from government agencies to Fortune 100 firms. Recognized as the gold standard in cybersecurity certification, EC-Council is trusted by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and major international corporations.

Media Contact:
press@eccouncil.org

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