About NextCSO

In today’s digital age, data is valuable. Organizations that have invested in information technology solutions to streamline operations, increase efficiencies and deliver new services are now confronting the need to securely manage and govern data, and the related risks and compliances.

And organizations are increasingly turning to Chief Information Security Officers (CSOs) to manage their information security issues, and provide strategic advice to the top management on managing risk and information governance.

NextCSO is India’s first and only program that recognizes the potential of experienced technology and business executives to take on the responsibility of leading the information security function. The awards program draws on the support and mentoring of India’s top executives and leaders involved in risk management and information security to select 30 exceptional individuals who have skills, talent and motivation to take on the top job.

The NextCSO 2022 award winners will be selected through a rigorous and comprehensive process that will evaluate professional achievements, and management and leadership skills that are essential to fulfil the challenging role of a CISO. The awards process invites aspirants to self-nominate for short-listing. All applicants will be required to undertake a series of activities designed to evaluate management and leadership skills.

The final selection will be made by a prestigious committee of information security leaders (the NextCSO jury).


Application Open 1st October 2022 Application Close 16th October 2022

Terms & Conditions

1. NextCSO Awards are the initiative and sole property of 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd.

2. The NextCSO program will run from the starting and ending dates as decided and intimated by CSOForum and 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd.

3. CSOForum reserves the right to modify, cancel, discontinue or terminate the NextCSO program at any time, or to accept or reject any or all entries at its absolute discretion without giving any prior notice, and without assigning any reasons whatsoever.

4. Decisions made by CSOForum regarding the NextCSO Awards, eligibility conditions, administration and conduct of the program, rules & regulations, etc., will be final and binding on all applicants and program participants.

5. All shortlisted applicants/participants for the NextCSO will be intimated individually at the email address and/or contact number provided by them. CSOForum reserves the right to terminate an applicant’s registration at any time in the event the information provided, including e-mail address and contact number, is no longer current or accurate.

6. CSOForum may use the applicant name and organization information in ads, editorial material, website as and when necessary.

7. CSOForum, in consultation with the jury, reserves the right to shortlist and filter applicants using any criteria it deems fit, without disclosing or making public the criteria or weighting schemes.

8. CSOForum will not reveal, at any stage, the ranking or relative placement of applicants, or their scores in the NextCSO selection process.

9. The content made available for the NextCSO is the sole property of CSOForum and that of its partners, and is protected by applicable copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patent or other proprietary rights and laws.

10. While CSOForum will make every reasonable effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information posted within the program website, CSOForum assumes no responsibility for, and does not guarantee, the accuracy, currency, completeness or usefulness of information in any material about the program. It also does not endorse, oppose or edit any opinions, recommendations or predictions posted by the participants or other members, except that CSOForum may remove or delete what appears to be potentially unlawful content or content otherwise prohibited under these Terms and Conditions.

11. Any offers made under this program cannot be clubbed with any other offer/promotion/contest run by 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd, and/or CSOForum, or its affiliate brands and subsidiaries.

12. CSOForum may, in their sole discretion, terminate or suspend your access to all or part of the NextCSO program for any reason, including without limitation a breach of these Terms and Conditions (or any subsequent modifications hereof). By registering, you accept the Terms and Conditions.