Why does ISC2 review its Bylaws?
ISC2 periodically reviews its governing documents to ensure they remain clear, legally compliant and workable for a large, global membership association. Bylaws review is an opportunity to assess whether the governance framework still supports members, effective oversight and ISC2’s long-term mission.
Who is responsible for reviewing Bylaws?
The Bylaws Committee was established by the Board of Directors to:
- Review the bylaws, including proposals received from the CEO, board, committees or other stakeholders, and make appropriate recommendations to the board and membership, as necessary.
- Draft the language of proposed bylaw revisions for consideration by the board and, ultimately, the membership.
- Assist in the interpretation of the bylaws as needed.
What is the difference between corporate governance and security governance?
Unlike security governance, which deals with concepts like policy, risk management frameworks, compliance and controls and reporting to leadership, corporate governance focuses on strategy, risk oversight, financial stewardship, ethics and fiduciary duties and organizational accountability.
What governance questions or challenges does the Bylaws Committee explore?
The Committee explores questions involving Board effectiveness, succession, appropriate competencies, global perspective, member voice, accountability and governance agility. Examining the Bylaws and seeking member input does not mean the Committee has reached a conclusion or decided that a Bylaws change is required.
How could stronger governance support ISC2 members, certifications and the organization over the long term?
The Bylaws do not establish certification requirements, but they determine how ISC2 is governed, how authority is exercised and how leaders are held accountable. Strong governance supports the stability, credibility and responsible stewardship of ISC2 and its certification programs.
How does this effort support ISC2’s mission and its responsibility to the cybersecurity profession?
Good governance helps ISC2 remain accountable, sustainable and capable of serving members and the profession as the organization evolves. The purpose of a Bylaws review is to determine whether the current governance framework continues to support those responsibilities.
How does the Board ensure governance decisions remain centered on member interests?
Member feedback is an essential part of the process and helps the Board understand member priorities and concerns. Directors must consider that input alongside ISC2’s mission, legal obligations, governance practices, operational needs and their fiduciary responsibilities to the organization.
How do governance discussions connect to the long-term value and credibility of ISC2 certifications?
Certification credibility depends in part on confidence that the certifying organization is stable, accountable and responsibly governed. The Bylaws support that foundation by defining how authority is exercised, how member rights are protected and how ISC2’s leaders are held accountable.
How is ISC2 ensuring that perspectives from across its global membership are considered?
We're committed to meeting members where they are. That means engaging through webinars, surveys, chapter events, Security Congress, our website, social media, written communications and direct feedback channels. But engagement is a two-way street. We need members to participate, ask questions and share their perspectives. The more members engage, the more confidence we can have that we're hearing from the broadest possible cross-section of the ISC2 community.
How does the Committee evaluate feedback from members with different certifications, backgrounds and levels of experience?
We don't assume that one group speaks for the entire membership. We look for common themes, points of agreement, areas where perspectives differ and issues that matter to particular member communities. The strongest feedback comes from members who are actively engaged in the process themselves.
How can governance continue to support a growing and increasingly diverse membership community?
Good governance starts with member participation. As ISC2 grows, we need governance that helps us listen to members, engage them through many channels and make it easier for them to understand what's being discussed and how they can contribute. We welcome questions and healthy debate. That's why we're committed to providing information, encouraging dialogue and inviting members to engage directly with the process.
What does good governance look like for a member-based professional association?
Good governance combines meaningful member participation with responsible Board oversight, transparency, accountability and clear decision-making authority. It enables the organization to fulfill its mission while protecting member rights and providing appropriate checks and safeguards.
How will members continue to participate as this work progresses?
Members will have opportunities to participate through surveys, focus groups, webinars and written comments. The Bylaws webpage will serve as the primary source for project updates, engagement opportunities and any future proposal or voting information.
What steps remain before any potential amendment proposals would be presented to members?
The Committee must continue reviewing member feedback, governance considerations, legal requirements, benchmarking and practical alternatives before making recommendations. The Board would then determine which recommendations, if any, should be presented through the process required by the current bylaws.
