ISC2 Announces CEO Succession Plan

David Shearer to Step Down at the End of 2020

ISC2 Board of Directors Initiates Search for Next CEO to Lead the World’s Largest Association of Cybersecurity Professionals

Clearwater, FL, March 16, 2020 – ISC2 – the world’s largest nonprofit membership association of certified cybersecurity professionals – today announced that David Shearer, CISSP, the association’s current CEO, will step down at the end of 2020 after serving in the role since 2015. The ISC2 Board of Directors has initiated a CEO recruitment search to identify an experienced leader to succeed Shearer and guide the organization on a path of continued growth as demand for certified cybersecurity professionals continues to grow exponentially worldwide.

“After leading us through a period of sustained growth and incredible change, David has notified the board of his intention to step down at the end of this year after six years as our CEO and two years prior as our COO,” said Dr. Kevin Charest, CISSP, ISC2 Board of Directors Chairperson. “In parallel with the goals and objectives we have for David’s last year with us, we must begin our recruiting efforts for his successor to ensure a smooth transition, and we’re thankful that David will be a part of that search process.”

The search will be led by the Board of Directors, who have engaged organizational consulting firm Korn Ferry to assist in the recruitment effort.

“My tenure as CEO of ISC2 has been abundantly fulfilling and one of the greatest honors of my professional life. Over the course of my career I’ve been fortunate enough to have opportunities to lead great teams through times of change and growth. I relished the task of strengthening our value promise to members, delivering new certifications and professional development opportunities for cybersecurity professionals, modernizing ISC2’s infrastructure, and developing new ways to help our members and the organizations they protect better defend critical assets around the world,” remarked Shearer. “I deeply believe in the association’s mission to inspire a safe and secure cyber world, and I’m looking forward to helping the board select the right successor to keep us moving along the same trajectory.”

Under Shearer’s direction, the association grew to 153,000 certified members and associates in 175 countries. His leadership also led to an association-wide digital transformation that replaced legacy systems and improved efficiencies, the introduction of the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP®) certification, and the growth of the annual ISC2 Security Congress conference to more than 2,500 attendees and 200 expert speakers. In 2019, Shearer oversaw the creation of the Professional Development Institute (PDI), a portfolio of cybersecurity education courses that are included for free as a benefit of membership. To date, more than 30 courses have been launched as part of PDI, at a value of more than $10,000, and learners have completed nearly 14,000 courses in total.

# # #

About ISC2

ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 600,000 members, candidates and associates around the globe are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educate those most vulnerable. Learn more and get involved at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Amanda Steinman
Senior PR Manager
ISC2
asteinman@isc2.org