Information Systems Security Association, Inc. is a nonprofit professional association for information security and cybersecurity practitioners. It provides a structured member community built around education, publications, networking, and professional development, with both international programming and local chapter engagement to help members stay current on evolving security issues and practices.
Its operating model centers on membership programs, recurring events, career-oriented resources, and thought leadership. Information Systems Security Association, Inc. supports professionals across multiple career stages through the Cyber Security Career Lifecycle®, publishes the ISSA Journal, hosts live and on-demand learning forums, and runs workforce-development initiatives such as the AIM Program to help connect emerging talent with practical career pathways.
Offerings, Capabilities, and Integrations
Information Systems Security Association, Inc. delivers value through a mix of community access, continuing education, peer collaboration, and career support. Members can participate in local chapters, online discussions, web-based learning, executive forums, and annual events, while also accessing publications, volunteer opportunities, and professional networking channels that extend beyond one-time event participation.
Its capabilities are especially strong in practitioner-to-practitioner knowledge sharing. The association supports career progression through structured resources aligned to different experience levels, offers opportunities to earn continuing education credits, and enables topic-focused collaboration through committees and Special Interest Groups. It also extends beyond member education into workforce development by connecting apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships with employers and industry partners.
Products and Services
- General Membership: Core membership for cybersecurity and information security professionals, providing access to the member community, local chapters, the ISSA Journal, member-only events, discounts, and continuing education opportunities.
- Cyber Executive Membership: Membership tier for senior cybersecurity leaders that adds access to a peer community and Cyber Executive Forum participation alongside broader member benefits.
- Government Membership: Government-focused membership designed for public-sector employees and agencies, with benefits aligned to general membership and organizational assignment for eligible roles.
- Student Membership: Reduced-rate membership for full-time students preparing to enter the cybersecurity profession, with access to core member resources and community benefits.
- ISSA Journal: Member publication featuring cybersecurity ideas, technical perspectives, industry issues, and association and chapter news from practitioners and contributors across the field.
- AIM Program: Workforce-development program focused on apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships to help bridge cybersecurity education and employment.
- Cyber Security Career Lifecycle®: Career-development framework that maps services and resources to different stages of a cybersecurity professional’s growth, from pre-professional through security leadership.
- Cyber Executive Forum: Peer-oriented forum series for senior security executives to discuss strategic issues, exchange insights, and build relationships with other leaders.
- ISSA Web Conferences: Live and recorded online educational sessions developed for members around timely cybersecurity topics, with certificates that can support continuing education credit submission.
- Local Chapters: Chapter-based community network that provides regional networking, education, volunteer leadership, and recurring member events.
- ISSA Job Board: Career resource focused on cybersecurity job opportunities and professional advancement for members and practitioners.
- Special Interest Groups: Topic-focused member communities that support collaboration, discussion, and knowledge sharing around specific cybersecurity and privacy domains.
- ISSA International Summit: Signature annual event that brings together cybersecurity professionals for education, networking, and industry discussion.
Target Customers
Information Systems Security Association, Inc. primarily serves information security and cybersecurity professionals in private and public sector roles. Its audience includes practitioners, consultants, auditors, educators, law enforcement professionals, attorneys, and other professionals with responsibility for protecting information resources or managing technology risk.
The association also targets defined segments with tailored offerings, including senior security executives, government employees and agencies, and full-time students entering the field. Through the AIM Program, Information Systems Security Association, Inc. additionally engages employers, workforce partners, and organizations that want to build or connect apprenticeship, internship, and mentorship pathways for emerging cyber talent.
Key People
- Jimmy Sanders: President
- Laura Harder: Vice President
- Lee Neely: COO/Secretary
- David Vaughn: CFO/Treasurer
- Mary Ann Davidson: Director
- Dr. Curtis Campbell: Director
- John Johnson: Director
- Connie Matthews: Director
- Gene McGowan: Director
- Anne Rogers: Executive Program Director
- Justine Diamond: Executive Director of Finance
Key Facts
- Headquarters: Houston, Texas
- Employees: 11-50 employees
- Annual Revenue: $1.45 million
- Parent Company: None
- Subsidiaries: None
- Publicly Listed: No
