ISC2 Board Elections

• January 26 – Open Call for Board Nominations open to eligible ISC2 members
• February 25 – Open Call for Board Nomination closes
• March 27-29 – Interviews to be conducted by the Nominations Committee with selected candidates
• April 13 – ISC2 will publish the Board of Directors candidates
• July 7 – Voting instructions are distributed to eligible ISC2 members
• July 14 – Board of Directors Election opens
• July 28 – Board of Directors Election closes
• August 4 – Elected candidates are announced

Q: What is the ISC2 Board of Directors election process?

A: The election process begins with the open call for nominations, during which any member in good standing of ISC2 can self-nominate to serve on the Board. The ISC2 Board of Directors Nominations Committee is responsible for this process and will evaluate and select the candidates who will be presented to the membership for the election. “In good standing” is defined as being current with all AMF and CPE requirements and having no open ethical investigations when the election process starts (January 26, 2026). Board candidates must remain in good standing through the close of the election on July 28.  Associates and Candidates of ISC2 are not eligible for the Board of Directors. 

The portal for self-nomination is open from January 26 to February 25, after which time the nominations committee will evaluate applications. A link to the application portal will appear in the ISC2 member dashboard of eligible members when the nominations portal is open.

Selected candidates will be interviewed virtually March 27-29. The final candidates selected for members to vote on will be announced on April 13. Further information about the campaign and election process (including the resources available to assist candidates) will be shared with final candidates after they are announced.

Member voting will be open from July 14 until July 28, when eligible members can submit electronic votes via a secure third-party system, which is then independently audited. Elections are determined by a plurality of the votes cast, with a one-member, one-vote system.

Final results will be announced at a special meeting for the members on August 4. Members may also attend this special meeting virtually or in-person and may vote then if they choose and are eligible.

Key dates for the 2024 ISC2 Board of Directors Election can be found below:

• January 26 – Open Call for Board Nominations open to eligible ISC2 members
• February 25 – Open Call for Board Nomination closes
• March 27-29 – Interviews to be conducted by the Nominations Committee with selected candidates
• April 13 – ISC2 will publish the Board of Directors candidates
• July 7 – Voting instructions are distributed to eligible ISC2 members
• July 14 – Board of Directors Election opens
• July 28 – Board of Directors Election closes
• August 4 – Elected candidates are announced

Q: How does the open call for nominations work?

A: Eligible members interested in self-nominating for consideration by the Board can visit the ISC2 Member Dashboard and click the link under “Nominate Yourself for the Board of Directors Election.” It will appear in the dashboard when the nominations portal is open on January 26. As a reminder, associates and candidates of ISC2 are not eligible for the Board of Directors.

The Election and Open Call Process webinar was held on January 20, which provided additional insight into what the nominations committee and Board look for in director candidates. If you were unable to make the webinar, you can watch it on-demand here

When the call for nominations closes, all completed nominations will be provided to the nominations committee for review and scoring. Virtual interviews will be conducted by the Nominations Committee with selected candidates.  By the beginning of April, the committee will put its recommendations for nominees to the entire Board of Directors, and if approved, then be put forward for members to vote on.

All members who participate in the call for nominations but are not selected will be notified before the slate is announced. Board participation is not just an essential part of our corporate governance but also an important professional development and learning opportunity for many members.

Q: Who is eligible to vote in the Board election?

A: ISC2 members in good standing as of January 26 and who remain in good standing through the start date of the election can participate in the Board of Directors election process. Candidates, associates, and fellows of ISC2 are not eligible to vote.

Q: What does the Board look for in candidates?

A: ISC2 wants the cybersecurity profession to closely represent the global environment in which it operates. As such, we welcome candidates for the Board from all regions of the world as we support diversity and inclusion.

The Board seeks versatile candidates with the following attributes:

• Prior professional experience (not limited to the cybersecurity field) as detailed in the Board of Directors job description
• Prior experience serving on a corporate Board of Directors is strongly desired.
• Business, corporate governance, and strategic planning experience
• International business experience
• Contributions made to ISC2

Q: What are the expectations of Board Directors?

A: Board Directors must:

1. Be prepared for and attend four or more in-person board meetings, additional periodic teleconferences, and committee meetings. Board Directors typically devote between 300 and 500 hours per year to Board activities, including meetings, travel and preparation.
2. Have a commitment from his or her employer to support the time off from work required to support this commitment.
3. Be fully engaged, present and available during virtual and in-person meetings and not distracted by other work demands.
4. Be diplomatic and interact with honesty, sensitivity, and tolerance of differing views,
5. Exhibit the ability to collaborate as a member of a team
6. Be friendly, responsive, and patient in dealings with fellow Board members and ISC2 staff
7. Promote the agreed collective Board opinion in lieu of their own personal views

Additional information can be found in the Board Director job description.

Q: Can ISC2 members nominate others for the Board election?

A: No. Following the update to the nomination process in 2022, ISC2 members may only nominate themselves for consideration for the Board. If you know a member you think should serve, please direct them to the link in the member portal.

Q: Who should I contact if I have other questions about the Board election?

A: Please reach out to election@isc2.org.

Understanding the Role of the Proxy Holder in ISC2 Voting

From time to time, members ask why ISC2 uses a proxy in connection with member votes, including Director elections, and what authority the proxy holder has over member votes. We believe it is important to provide transparency about the election process and the safeguards in place to protect every member's vote.

Under the ISC2 Bylaws, decisions requiring member vote, including the election of Directors, is certified at a meeting of the members. The bylaws also require that a quorum be established before business can be conducted at that meeting. Members may vote in-person or by proxy at meetings of the membership.

Because ISC2 is a global membership, it allows for members to vote by proxy, electronically, to encourage broad global participation. The proxy mechanism provides the means by which members' voting instructions are represented at the members' meeting and helps establish quorum. This approach allows members around the world to participate without needing to attend the certification meeting in person.

The use of a proxy is intended to make participation more accessible while maintaining compliance with ISC2's governing documents and applicable legal requirements.

What Does the Proxy Holder Do?

ISC2's proxy language appoints the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary as the proxy holder for purposes of member voting.

The proxy used is a directed proxy. When members submit their electronic vote, they provide their voting instructions through the voting platform. The proxy holder's role is limited to presenting those voting instructions at the members' meeting and certifying the results in accordance with the vote procedures.

The proxy holder acts in a ministerial and administrative capacity and does not exercise independent voting discretion.

The proxy does not authorize the proxy holder to:

• Cast a vote contrary to a member's instructions;
• Discard a member’s vote;
• Substitute the proxy holder's judgment for the member's decision; or
• Alter election results.

Under ISC2's procedures, the proxy holder is required to represent votes in accordance with the instructions submitted by members.

Independent Verification and Oversight

ISC2 employs multiple controls designed to protect the integrity of member votes.

Votes are collected through ISC2's independent voting services provider using the election platform. Following the close of voting, ISC2 also engages independent third parties to review and validate those results.

ISC2 does not receive final election results while voting remains open. This separation between voting administration and election certification is designed to help preserve the integrity of the election process.

Transparency for Members

Members who cast a ballot may receive confirmation from the independent voting services provider indicating that their ballot was successfully submitted through the election platform.

Members with questions regarding ballot submission or election participation may contact ISC2. ISC2 will work with its voting providers, as appropriate, to address such inquiries consistent with applicable election procedures and privacy requirements.

Our Commitment

The proxy process is not intended to transfer voting authority away from members. Rather, it is a governance mechanism that enables ISC2 to conduct global electronic elections while satisfying the bylaws' requirements relating to member meetings, quorum, and voting certification.

Most importantly, every vote remains the member's vote. The proxy holder does not decide how or for whom to cast a vote and does not exercise discretion over voting outcomes. The proxy holder's responsibility is to ensure that member voting instructions are carried out at the members' meeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the proxy holder vote differently than I instructed?

No. The proxy used is a directed proxy, meaning that members provide their voting instructions when submitting their proxy holder authorization. The proxy holder's role is limited to casting the vote as instructed by the member at the members' meeting and does not include authority to independently decide how votes should be cast. The proxy holder may not cast a vote contrary to the member's instructions.

Can the proxy holder vote if I do not submit a ballot?

No. The proxy holder acts only in accordance with the voting instructions that a member voluntarily submits through the process. If a member does not submit a proxy holder appointment, the proxy holder has no authority to create, assign, or exercise a vote on that member's behalf.

Why is a proxy needed if voting is electronic?

ISC2 conducts member voting electronically to make participation accessible to members around the world. Under the ISC2 Bylaws and as required by state law, votes by or on behalf of members are made and certified at a meeting of the members, and members may vote in-person or by proxy at meetings of the membership. The proxy mechanism provides the means by which voting instructions submitted electronically are carried out by the proxy holders at the members meeting and helps establish quorum.

Can the proxy holder change election results?

No. The proxy holders cannot change election results. They do not tabulate votes or alter vote totals or vote other than as directed by the members in the proxy authorization.

How do I know my ballot was submitted?

Members who authorize a proxy holder to cast a vote on their behalf may receive a confirmation from the independent services provider indicating that the vote was cast through the election platform. Members with questions regarding voting submission or election participation may contact ISC2.

The ISC2 Board of Directors supports open and active participation in director elections by all certified members in good standing. To that end, the ISC2 Bylaws allow for a member to secure placement on the official ballot for the Annual Director Election by submitting a signed, written petition endorsed by at least 500 members.

Reference the ISC2 Policy Governing Petition Requirements for Board Elections to learn more.