Spotlight on Chuck Davis

Chuck Davis is Vice President of Global Information Security at Hikvision, where he leads international cybersecurity strategy, governance, product security, and cyber resilience initiatives. With more than 25 years of experience spanning IBM, The Hershey Company, and Hikvision, he is passionate about helping organizations manage risk while enabling innovation. Chuck is also the founder of NetBOM and writes about cybersecurity and artificial intelligence on his blog, Between the Hacks.

Fun fact: I am a named inventor on ten patents, and I’ve spoken about cybersecurity in more than 20 countries.

Learn more about the Denver CISO community here.
 

Give us a brief overview of the path that led to your current role.

I didn’t set out to build a career in cybersecurity because, when I started, the field was still emerging. My career began at PSINet, one of the pioneers of the commercial Internet, where investigating someone who was using our mail server to relay spam sparked a lifelong fascination with information security. That curiosity led me through leadership roles at IBM, The Hershey Company, and back to IBM before joining Hikvision. Looking back, I’ve realized my career has never really been about security technology. It’s been about helping organizations build trust and confidently adopt new technologies.
 

What is one of your guiding leadership principles?

Stay curious.

Technology changes too quickly for any leader to have all the answers. I’ve found that the best decisions come from asking thoughtful questions, listening to diverse perspectives, and being willing to challenge your own assumptions. Curiosity not only makes us better leaders, it also helps us build stronger teams and better solutions.
 

What is the greatest challenge CISOs face today, and how are you addressing it?

The pace of change has never been faster. AI, cloud transformation, evolving regulations, and geopolitical tensions are all reshaping how organizations think about risk. Rather than chasing every new technology or threat, I focus on building resilient governance and helping leaders make informed decisions. The goal isn’t to predict every change. It’s to build an organization that can adapt to change with confidence.
 

What is the key to success for someone just starting out as a CISO?

Learn the business before trying to change it.

Cybersecurity leaders are most effective when they understand how their organization creates value and what keeps their executive peers awake at night. Technical expertise may earn you a seat at the table, but business acumen and trusted relationships are what allow you to influence decisions.
 

How do you measure success as a leader?

I measure success by what happens when I’m not in the room.

If my team is making good decisions, collaborating effectively, developing future leaders, and continuously improving without depending on me for every answer, then I’ve done my job. Great leaders don’t create followers. They create other leaders.
 

What is the value of being a member of Gartner C-level Communities?

One of the greatest benefits of Gartner C-Level Communities is the opportunity to learn from peers who face similar leadership challenges in very different industries. Some of the best ideas I’ve implemented didn’t come from cybersecurity. They came from conversations with leaders in healthcare, manufacturing, finance, retail, and government. Those diverse perspectives challenge assumptions, spark innovation, and ultimately make all of us better leaders.

Governing Body members share their insights and leadership perspectives to shape the agendas and topics that address the top priorities impacting business leaders today.