Secure Horizons: An Immersive Experience for Senior Security Executives was an exclusive, invitation-only event tailored for CSO Center members. This two-day intensive program—hosted by the CSO Center, powered by ASIS International, and sponsored by QCIC—took place just before GSX 2025 in New Orleans, LA. It offered a unique opportunity for senior security executives to engage in high-level discussions, collaborative sessions, and networking. Participants explored contemporary case studies and experiential learning activities about critical thinking and developing influence, creating a dynamic and impactful experience.
At the 2025 CSO Center Secure Horizons event, security executives learned how appreciative inquiry can help influence and woo others by homing in on what people value and aiming for those outcomes, rather than focusing primarily on problems.
Secure Horizons attendees explored how the words they use can spur or stymie change. Reframing your approach to business issues can produce surprising results.
Former CSO for the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) Colin O'Brien shared a frank and honest blow-by-blow look into the government takeover of USIP, including what he did right and what took him by surprise.
For additional information about the lead up to this security incident and its aftermath, read this in-depth coverage from Security Management.
Group exercises, dynamic presentations, and thought-provoking discussions prompted one CSO attendee at the 2025 Secure Horizons event to reevaluate how he approaches problem-solving.
Reality is the combination of problems or challenges and positive opportunities and skills, said Secure Horizons facilitators Jen and Tony Silbert. Examining the positive and negative sides of an issue produces a more holistic and actionable view.
The face of the Chief Security Officer (CSO) is changing. CSOs are leading in more non-traditional industries, with varied work styles, personalities, goals, and backgrounds than ever before. Secure Horizons, a CSO Center member-exclusive program, was created to meet the needs of this developing and diverse group.
Intentionally designed through a senior security executive lens, the two-day experience encouraged insights, skills, and networking to elevate the status of security professionals in the C-suite and beyond.
"For the first time, I joined CSO Center’s Secure Horizons, a truly valuable program for senior security leaders that took place right before the GSX conference. Over two days, we engaged in thought-provoking discussions with CSOs from diverse industries and representatives from multiple government agencies. The sessions, facilitated by incredibly skilled professionals, delivered content that not only informed but challenged us to reflect and grow. Beyond the excellent networking, it reminded us to think with the curiosity of scientists, challenging assumptions and our own perspectives to continue growing. It was time very well invested."
The CSO Center for Leadership & Development is leading the way in the development of best practices, risk mitigation, and the future of security management by advancing the role of senior security executives around the globe. Take full advantage of your CSO Center membership by joining CSO Huddles, accessing exclusive collections of resources, and more.
