Executive Leadership
VP of Information Security Recruiting
Senior security leader who owns a major part of the program, or the full program in companies without a CISO.
About the role
The VP of Information Security title covers two common situations. In larger enterprises the VP leads a major part of the program, such as security operations, engineering or risk, beneath the CISO. In growth-stage companies the VP is often the most senior security person and runs the whole program before the company is ready for a CISO.
Getting the scope right is the first step of any VP search. We clarify which situation you are hiring for, because the candidates who succeed in each are different.
Typical responsibilities
- Lead a security function or the full program, depending on company size
- Hire and manage security managers and senior individual contributors
- Own roadmap delivery for their area and report progress to the CISO or executive team
- Support customer security reviews, audits and certifications
- Partner with engineering and IT on secure architecture and tooling decisions
What we assess in candidates
- Clear evidence of building teams and programs, not only maintaining them
- Depth in the specific area the role owns
- Ability to support sales and customer trust conversations
- Fit with the company's growth stage
How we search for a VP of Information Security
We map leaders who have done the same job at a similar size and stage, including strong directors ready for a step up. Interviews focus on what they built, how they hired and how they handled a security program under growth or change.
Frequently asked questions
Should we hire a VP of Security or a CISO first?
Many growth-stage companies hire a VP first and add the CISO title as the board and customer exposure grows. We can help you decide based on your funding stage, customers and regulatory needs.
What is the difference between a VP and a Director of Security?
A VP usually owns a broader scope, a larger budget and a seat in executive planning. Directors typically lead one function and report to a VP or CISO.
Related functions
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