About
nextCISO

About NEXTCISO

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 (CISOs) to manage their information security issues, and provide strategic advice to the top management on managing risk and information governance.

NextCISO 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 exceptional individuals who have skills, talent and motivation to take on the top job.

The NextCISO 2025 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 NextCISO jury).

Applications Open - 20th August 2025

Applications Close - 15th September 2025

Who Can Apply

To be eligible for the NextCISO 2025 award, all applicants should meet the following criteria:

  1. Be a resident of India at the time of application.
  2. Not be a past NextCISO award winner (However, past winners of NEXT100 and ITNEXT Technology Awards can apply for the NextCISO award).
  3. Have a minimum of 7 (seven) years of full-time work experience.
  4. Experience in information and data security, risk management, compliance, governance and related areas will be advantageous, but not essential.
  5. Be currently employed in a company or organization (cannot be self-employed).
  6. Fill in the application form completely, including the declaration.
  7. Not submit multiple applications/entries for the NextCISO award.
  8. Provide valid documentation and proof to support the personal information and work experience details, as and when requested by CISOForum for verification.
  9. Agree to allow CISOForum and/or its duly authorized representatives, verify application data directly and independently at any stage of the program, including with referees and work supervisor(s).
  10. Grant CISOForum the right to authorize the downloading and printing of application information and related communications, or any portion thereof, for evaluation purposes.
  11. Undertake to obtain the necessary permissions and releases from his/her employer to participate in the NextCISO selection process, and award ceremony.

    12. NOTE: Employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, family members of 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd, its subsidiaries, affiliates, program partners, advertising and promotional agencies are not eligible to apply for, and receive the NextCISO awards.

Why Apply?

By applying for the NextCISO award (which is free of cost), you get the following benefits:

  • Free analysis report of your personality traits and leadership styles from one of the world's leading evaluation companies, Central Test of France.
  • Exclusive invitations to attend a variety of training workshops and programs on leading-edge developments in information security.
  • Opportunities to interact with India’s leading CISOs and information security thought leaders.
  • Be recognized in the commemorative book that is circulated among hundreds of top organizations in India, if you qualify for the NextCISO award.
  • As a NextCISO award winner, receive personalized advice, guidance and mentoring from top CSOs.

How to Apply ?

To apply for the NextCISO award, you need to register on this site. There is NO application fee for registering or participating in the NextCISO awards process. Registration will enable you to track the progress of your NextCISO application, download white papers and case studies, and get other useful information.

  • To apply for the NextCISO award, you need to register on this site.
  • There is NO application fee for registering or participating in the NextCISO awards process.
  • Registration will enable you to track the progress of your NextCISO application, download white papers and case studies, and get other useful information.
  • To start your NextCISO application, click on "Application" link at the top of this page.
  • You will be redirected to the Registration Page.
  • Fill in all the information, and press Submit.
  • You are now registered on this site. You will receive an email with your registration details (login-id and password).
  • Log in, to start your application. Use your login-id and password (sent to your email inbox at the time of registration).
  • You will reach the “My NextCISO Dashboard” page.
  • Go to “Application Form” link and click on it to start.
  • Fill in as much detail as possible to help the jury arrive at a positive determination of your application. You can save a partially filled-in form, and return to it at a later time.
  • To resume your partially filled application, sign-in using your login id and password. You will reach the “My NextCISO Dashboard” page. Click on the “Application Form” link to resume.
  • Use the “My NextCISO Dashboard” page to track the status of your application, take the psychometric tests, and know the status of your interview.

Terms & Conditions

  1. NextCISO Awards are the initiative and sole property of 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd.
  2. The NextCISO program will run from the starting and ending dates as decided and intimated by CISOForum and 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd.
  3. CSOForum reserves the right to modify, cancel, discontinue or terminate the NextCISO 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 CISOForum regarding the NextCISO 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 NextCISO will be intimated individually at the email address and/or contact number provided by them.
  6. CISOForum reserves the right to terminate an applicant’s registration at any time in the event the information provided, including email address and contact number, is no longer current or accurate.
  7. CISOForum may use the applicant name and organization information in ads, editorial material, website as and when necessary.
  8. CISOForum, 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.
  9. CISOForum will not reveal, at any stage, the ranking or relative placement of applicants, or their scores in the NextCISO selection process.
  10. The content made available for the NextCISO is the sole property of CISOForum and that of its partners, and is protected by applicable copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patent or other proprietary rights and laws.
  11. While CISOForum will make every reasonable effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information posted within the program website, CISOForum assumes no responsibility for, and does not guarantee, the accuracy, currency, completeness or usefulness of information in any material about the program.
  12. It also does not endorse, oppose or edit any opinions, recommendations or predictions posted by the participants or other members, except that CISOForum may remove or delete what appears to be potentially unlawful content or content otherwise prohibited under these Terms and Conditions.
  13. Any offers made under this program cannot be clubbed with any other offer/promotion/contest run by 9.9 Group Pvt Ltd, and/or CISOForum, or its affiliate brands and subsidiaries.
  14. CISOForum may, in their sole discretion, terminate or suspend your access to all or part of the NextCISO 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.