Under Pressure: What 2025 CISOs Are Really Facing and How They’re Fighting Back

73% of CISOs reported a major cyber incident in just six months. Although, not surprising, that alone is staggering, but it’s not the full story. Nagomi Security’s 2025 CISO Pressure Index reveals that the biggest strain isn’t coming from attackers; it’s coming from inside the organization.

Nagomi sat down for an unfiltered discussion with leading CISOs as we unpack the findings from the report and explore how leadership, burnout, board expectations, and AI are reshaping the security landscape.

Our panel of security leaders discussed:

• Why burnout and blame have become constants in the CISO experience
• The widening gap between accountability and actual control
• How board pressure, tool sprawl, and AI-driven cost cutting are redefining priorities
• What needs to change for the CISO role to stay sustainable and strategic

This wasn’t another fear-driven webinar: It was a conversation about reclaiming balance, redefining success, and restoring trust in the most pressured job in security.

Moderated by Conor Heslin, Senior Communications and Community Manager, Nagomi Security, the panel included:

• Tyson Kopzynski: Principal, Cymetry One
• Les McCollum; SVP, Deputy Information Security Officer, Synchrony Financial
• Pieter VanIperen; Chief Information Security Officer, AlphaSense