ISMA Ignite Program
Fostering Leadership Excellence in Corporate Security & Resilience

Cohort 2: March - October 2027
Applications open August 2026

Tailored specifically for security professionals on the path to becoming Chief Security Officers (CSOs), ISMA Ignite offers the tools, networks, and expertise needed to take your career to the next level.

  • A transformational multi-month program designed to accelerate the leadership journey of rising corporate security leaders, equipping them with the skills, networks, and strategic insights to shape the future of corporate security and resilience.  
  • A focused cohort of 20 rising security leaders, offering personalized attention, collaborative growth, and opportunities to learn from top industry experts.
  • Open to leaders (below the CSO level) working for ISMA member companies. 

"I particularly valued the international exposure, which allowed me to engage with leaders from different parts of the world. Hearing their viewpoints and understanding how they approach challenges in their respective regions provided meaningful insights and broadened my perspective. Overall, the program offered excellent networking, learning opportunities, and professional development that I found both beneficial and impactful." - Past Ignite Participant

Key Benefits of the Ignite Program

  • Professional Growth: Bespoke in-person conferences, leadership development training, and curated resources to advance their capabilities.

  • Networking Opportunities: Regular engagement with peers and seasoned leaders through virtual platforms and events.

  • Exclusive Access: Privileged access to ISMA resources, tools, and select conferences tailored for emerging leaders in the field.

Program Components

  1. Conference Participation: A cornerstone of the program, the program year will kick off with a 1.5 day meeting (March 2027 in New York) and the program will conclude with a second 1.5 day meeting (October 2027 in London). Attendance at both conferences is mandatory for program participation.

  2. Monthly Activities: Exclusive interactive virtual sessions designed to address real-world challenges, develop leadership skills, and foster connections.

  3. Digital Resources: Access to a closed messaging group with other cohort members, benchmarking resources through the ISMA office, post-ISMA member meeting whitepapers, and direct communications from ISMA about programs and opportunities for emerging leaders.

  4. ISMA Member Meeting: Participants will be invited to attend the ISMA June Member Meeting during their program year (typically this meeting is reserved for ISMA members ONLY).

Download a copy of the program overview to familiarize yourself with content areas and program calendar.

Who Should Apply?

Eligibility Criteria 

Employment & Nomination

  • Candidates must be employed by an ISMA member organization, and applications must be supported by the relevant ISMA member at the same.

Demonstrated Performance & Leadership Potential

  • Candidates should have a proven track record of high performance in their current and/or previous roles.

  • They should demonstrate the capacity to lead complex projects, teams, or initiatives within the corporate security function.

  • They should show potential to advance into senior leadership roles within the next 5-10 years.

Strategic & Global Mindset

  • Candidates should demonstrate awareness of global security issues and the strategic dimensions of the corporate security function.

  • Exposure to or interest in working across regions, cultures, or business units is encouraged.

Commitment to Professional Growth

  • Candidates should demonstrate a strong desire for personal and professional development and be willing to actively engage in the year-long cohort experience.

Time & Engagement Commitment

  • Candidates should make best efforts to attend all scheduled cohort activities, including virtual sessions, in-person events, and project work. Attendance at both meetings is mandatory. Please consider applying in a future year if you cannot attend.

  • Estimated monthly time investment: 2 hours/month, to be confirmed in program documentation.

Investment

There is a $100 non-refundable administrative fee for all applications.

For accepted participants there is a $4,000 program investment, which covers:

  • Conference fee for ISMA Ignite Kickoff Conference at the start of the program year. 

  • Conference fee for ISMA Ignite Closing Conference at the end of the program year. 

  • Quarterly virtual programming led by ISMA member CSOs.

  • Access to ISMA Ignite’s digital resources, including a private messaging group for cohort participants.

Participants are expected to fund travel and expenses for in-person programming.

Selected participants must submit the program fee within two weeks to confirm their place in the 2027 cohort.

Application & Selection Process

  • The application period will be open for one month. Applications must be submitted by 4 September 2026.

  • To be considered, applicants must pay the required administrative fee and complete the application form, which requires short written statements detailing their background, experience, and desire to participate in the program

  • A committee of ISMA members will review each application and select candidates based on the eligibility criteria above and application question responses. Emphasis will be placed on their alignment with ISMA's values and objectives, demonstrated leadership skills/potential, and their ability to contribute meaningfully to both ISMA and the wider security industry. Final selection of participants is wholly at the discretion of the Selection Committee.

  • The cohort is limited to 20 places. Applicants will be informed of their acceptance in September 2026.

Ready to Apply?

  • Click the "apply now" below to pay the $100 application fee and complete the application questions.

  • The application form contains 7 questions requiring narrative answers of no more than 3000 words per question. You should review the application questions, draft them in Word or a similar platform, and then copy and paste them into the application form.  You must complete the form in one sitting.

  • Applications are due by September 5, 2026 in order to be considered for the program.

APPLY NOW

Questions?

FAQs:

  • The ISMA website wants me to log in, but I'm not a member. If you have not attended an ISMA event in the past, you will need to register on the website. Enter your email address in the "New Users/Non-Members" section of the sign in page to complete the registration process.

  • How do I know if I work for an ISMA member company? You can view a list of current ISMA member companies here. This list is not for download or distribution. 

  • Can the CSO/ISMA member register my team member under their profile? No. Each applicant must complete the registration under their own email address.

  • Is there a limit of individuals that can apply from each company? Only one participant per company will be selected, so we recommend the CSO/ISMA member nominating no more than one candidate. 

  • What if I can't attend in 2027? The program is annual, so please plan for a subsequent cohort.

  • Still have questions? Email ISMA's Director of Education, Molly Jin.

Confidentiality & Integrity

ISMA is an organization with the highest standards of trust and confidentiality. Like all ISMA programming, everything under the Ignite Program umbrella is conducted under the principles of Chatham House. Additionally, all participants must adhere to ISMA's Code of Conduct, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and respect throughout the program.