10 CISOs to Watch in New York City

New York City is home to some of the most influential cybersecurity leaders in the world, shaping the resilience of industries ranging from finance and media to global retail and professional sports. These CISOs are not only securing complex organizations but also defining what modern cybersecurity leadership looks like through innovation, mentorship, award-winning programs, and strategic impact.

Here are 10 CISOs to watch in New York City, selected based on verifiable achievements, executive leadership roles, and contributions to the cybersecurity community.

Michael Palmer — Hearst

Michael Palmer is the CISO of Hearst, one of the most diversified media companies in the U.S., based in New York. He was named Leadership ORBIE winner at the 2025 NewYorkCISO Awards. Before Hearst, he was the NFL’s first-ever CISO, building its cybersecurity program from the ground up. Palmer is also deeply involved in diversity efforts: he sits on advisory boards at Grambling State University and Rochester Institute of Technology to help shape cybersecurity education.

Kylie Watson — Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

Kylie Watson is the Chief Information Security Officer for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)’s international banking operations, covering the Americas, Europe, and beyond. Based in New York, she brings over 25 years of experience from roles in Australia, the U.K., Japan, and the U.S. Watson holds several key security certifications and is known for defining security strategies that align with business transformation and risk. 

Robert Brown — Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

Bob Brown serves as the Chief Information Security Officer at the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY), where he leads the bank’s cybersecurity strategy across governance, security operations, and regulatory compliance. With more than two decades of experience in information security and consulting, Brown brings a strong background in risk management and financial-sector security. 

Tom Kartanowicz — Standard Chartered

Tom Kartanowicz is Regional CISO (Europe & Americas) for Standard Chartered, and a member of the New York CISO Governing Body. He was also a lecturer in the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) master’s program at Columbia University, teaching IT risk and security. With over 20 years of experience in risk management and information security, Kartanowicz has held senior roles at banks (e.g., Commerzbank, Natixis) and combines practitioner experience with academic leadership. 

Nasrin Rezai — Verizon

Nasrin Rezai is a highly experienced cybersecurity leader who was awarded the Super Global ORBIE at the 2025 NewYorkCISO Awards, recognizing her role at a major multinational company. She has served as CISO at Verizon and is now an advisor and board director, working with the Aspen Institute among other organizations.

Tomás Maldonado — NFL

Tomás Maldonado is the Chief Information Security Officer of the NFL, headquartered in New York. He won the Large Enterprise ORBIE award at the 2025 NewYorkCISO Awards, highlighting his leadership at a major global sports organization. With over two decades of experience in information security, he’s known for building strong, risk-based security strategies for complex, multinational businesses.

Arun Abraham — Bose Corporation

Arun Abraham is the CISO at Bose Corporation, operating in the New York metro area. He was honored with the Enterprise ORBIE at NewYorkCISO’s 2025 awards for his impactful work at Bose.

Arvin Bansal — C&S Wholesale Grocers

Arvin Bansal serves as CISO for C&S Wholesale Grocers, a member of the New York CISO community. He has a strong track record: previously, he led cybersecurity programs at Fortune 30 firms, including Citigroup, Verizon, and Experian. Bansal has also received notable industry recognition, including the ISE Northeast Award for Information Security Project of the Year (2019), the Information Week Elite 100 Award, and a Cloud Security Excellence Award.

Rod Aday — Bank of China

Rod Aday is CISO for Bank of China (USA). He has decades of experience building up risk, business continuity, and information security functions in the financial sector. His role in the New York CISO community highlights the importance of financial-sector security in the city’s leadership circles.

Steve Grossman — NBA

Steve Grossman is the Chief Information Security Officer of the NBA, based in New York. He has led the league’s global cybersecurity efforts, including operations for broadcast systems, corporate offices, and fan-facing platforms. His long tenure has helped the NBA stay at the cutting edge of security in sports and entertainment.

New York’s Cyber Leadership Continues to Rise

These 10 CISOs in New York City represent a mix of industries and bring a diverse set of experiences. Many have won prestigious awards, helped build major security programs from scratch, and hold influential roles in both business and education. Watching their careers offers insight into how cybersecurity leadership is evolving in one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs.