Defense Unicorns
Defense Technology
ChiefInformationSecurityOfficer
Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Executive candidates.
“Chief Information Security Officer at Defense Unicorns. Skills: Information security strategy, IT governance, Risk management, Compliance. Oversee information technology and security strategy. Oversee security governance”
What You'll Achieve.
Ensure audit-ready security program; Ensure resilient security program; Enable workforce operation; Support fast-growing company
Industry & Context.
Active DoD TS/SCI
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
Active DoD TS/SCI security clearance, Oversee SSP and assessment coverage, Lead DoD contractor compliance program, DFARS 252.204-7012, SPRS reporting, SAM.gov obligations, Lead, manage, develop security and IT teams, Direct management of director-level reports, Own Incident Response function, Government reporting obligations, Build and sustain compliance operations model
Nice to Have
Active CISSP, CISM, CCISO, or equivalent, Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, IT, Master's degree preferred, Direct C3PAO assessor experience, CMMC Registered Practitioner, Third-party assessment participant, Familiarity with ITAR, EAR, export control, Experience with cloud-native and hybrid environments, Evaluate SaaS platforms against CMMC, Experience with AI governance frameworks, Prior role in defense startup, Fast-growth government contractor experience, Scaling enterprise security and GRC programs
What You'll Do.
Oversee information technology and security strategy
Oversee security governance
Own the full security function
Provide executive direction over IT function
Oversee corporate infrastructure
Oversee technology platforms
Architect a security culture
Ensure IT foundation is modern
Ensure IT foundation is resilient
Support fast-growing company
Oversee assessment coverage
Lead compliance program
Manage security teams
Develop security teams
Oversee Incident Response function
Build compliance operations model
Sustain compliance operations model
Translate regulatory requirements
Translate technical requirements
Provide strategic guidance
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Partnership with senior leadership; Work with engineers; Work with operators; Advise leadership; Represent company posture; Work with customers; Work with partners; Work with stakeholders
Communication Scope
Exceptional communication; Clear strategic guidance
Full Job Description
About the Role The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is the executive leader responsible for Defense Unicorns' enterprise-wide information technology and security strategy, governance, and risk posture. Reporting directly to the CEO and working in close partnership with senior leadership, the CISO owns the full security function, including direct oversight of the Director of Security Compliance and the Director of Information Technology. This is a mission-critical leadership role at the intersection of national security, defense technology, and enterprise IT. The CISO ensures that Defense Unicorns can pursue and execute DoD and federal contracts confidently, with a security program that is not only audit-ready but genuinely resilient. Equally, the CISO provides executive direction over the information technology function, overseeing corporate infrastructure, systems, networks, and the technology platforms that enable our Unicorns to operate effectively and securely at scale. The right person brings both the technical credibility to earn trust with engineers and operators, and the executive presence to advise leadership and represent the company's security and technology posture to customers, partners, and government stakeholders. As the organization scales, the CISO will be the architect of a security culture that is embedded, not bolted on, enabling the mission rather than impeding it. This commitment to “The Unicorn Experience” is non-negotiable. This means not only governing risk and compliance, but ensuring the IT foundation beneath the business is modern, resilient, and capable of supporting a fast-growing defense technology company operating in highly sensitive environments. This dual ownership of security and IT is intentional: at Defense Unicorns, protecting the mission and enabling the workforce are not separate problems, they require a unified leader who can hold both. Direct Reports Director of Security Compliance Director of Information Technolog
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