ISC2 is accepting nominations for the 2027 ISC2 Board of Directors election. All eligible members can self-nominate for candidacy and consideration by the Nominations Committee. A final slate of candidates will be presented for a member vote.

The ISC2 Board of Directors is an integral part of the association, providing organizational governance and oversight, setting ISC2’s strategic direction, providing guidance on major business decisions, managing risks and making decisions that impact the entire organization. Volunteering as a Director is a major undertaking that offers significant personal and professional rewards.

Ask yourself, “Could serving on the ISC2 Board be the right role for me?”

What is it Like to Serve on the Board of Directors?

Elected each year by ISC2 members, the Board of Directors comprises ISC2-certified cybersecurity professionals and leaders from around the world with expertise in securing and managing risk for academic institutions, government agencies and businesses of all sizes across all sectors. Our all-volunteer Board provides governance and oversight for the organization, establishes requirements for and grants certifications to qualifying candidates and enforces adherence to the ISC2 Code of Ethics.

Each elected member of the ISC2 Board of Directors volunteers their time working on oversight and governance activities. Key oversight areas will include the association’s ethical culture; association strategy; performance and financial reporting; risk management; regulatory compliance; and executive talent management, including CEO performance, compensation and succession. The Board depends on the faithful and responsible participation of each of its members, and it meets quarterly in person.

In addition to attending these quarterly meetings, Directors serve on important committees, such as the Nominations and Professional Conduct (Ethics) Committees. And four Directors are needed to serve as Board Officers: Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary.

The Board is elected to a three-year term, and the position is an unpaid volunteer opportunity. The expected time commitment of an ISC2 Board Director is between 300 and 500 hours each year. This expectation includes travel, time spent preparing for and attending quarterly meetings, meeting ISC2 members, conference calls and virtual meetings, attending ISC2 events and serving on committees. Many Board of Directors members use their own PTO (paid time off) to support the time commitment.

What Does it Take to be an ISC2 Director?

To be considered for the Board, you must be an ISC2 Member in good standing—current with AMF payments, active with CPE credits and adhering to and upholding the Code of Ethics—as of January 26. Candidates, associates and fellows of ISC2 are not eligible.   

The Board seeks candidates with the following attributes:

  • Prior professional experience (not limited to the cybersecurity field) as laid out in the Board of Directors job description (downloadable under the Board Election FAQ)
  • Governance and strategic planning experience
  • Geographical expertise
  • Education, training and accomplishments
  • Awards, peer recognitions, social influence, or other thought leadership
  • Contributions made to ISC2
  • Explanation of how their involvement as a Director could benefit members

In addition to these characteristics, candidates should be committed to serving and possess a continuous learning mindset.

The Nomination Process

The call for nominations opens on January 26, 2026, and closes on February 25, 2026. Access to the Nominations Portal will become available on the ISC2 Member Dashboard on January 26. Once in the ISC2 Member Dashboard, interested members must click on the link under “Nominate Yourself for the Board of Directors Election.” Members may nominate only themselves for consideration to the Board; they may not nominate others.

When the call for nominations closes on February 25, all completed applications will be sent to the Nominations Committee for review and scoring.

The ISC2 Board of Directors Nominations Committee will review all nominations. This process is a best practice in member-led governing Boards and a common practice at this level of global organizations. After reviewing all applicants, the Nominations Committee conducts interviews and selects a slate of qualified candidates for the election ballot.

Interviews with selected candidates will take place in March. In April, the Board of Directors slate will be announced ahead of the voting period in July. Eligible members then have the opportunity to vote and help shape the future of ISC2. Applicants who are not selected will be notified before the candidates are announced.

How Can I Learn More?

Serving on the ISC2 Board of Directors gives you an opportunity to develop your skills in governance, strategy and leadership; network with industry professionals; and offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on ISC2 and its mission.

If becoming a Director sounds like the next step in your cybersecurity journey, be sure to attend the 2026 Board Election and Open Call Process webinar on January 20, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. ISC2 Board of Directors and the Chair of the Nominations Committee, Laurie-Anne Bourdain, will present this year’s process and answer any questions from members. The webinar will cover:

  • Overview of the role
  • Qualifications / expectations
  • What is next?

For more information, read the Board Election FAQs on the ISC2 Board Elections page and join or watch on-demand the 2026 Board Election and Open Call Process webinar.