Denver ISSA Women in Security Special Interest Group Dinner

Topic:

From Crisis Response to Boardroom: Becoming a CISO the Unconventional Way: In an industry often dominated by traditional IT career paths, Nicolle Rosecrans carved her own way to the role of Chief Information Security Officer through the unlikeliest of routes—law enforcement, emergency management, and sheer tenacity. This session explores how the discipline of law enforcement, chaos of crisis response, and the grit forged in public service uniquely prepared her to lead cybersecurity strategy at the highest levels.Through candid storytelling and practical insights, Nicolle will share how transferable skills—like incident command, situational awareness, chain of custody, and interagency collaboration—formed the foundation for her cybersecurity leadership. Attendees will gain a fresh perspective on what it takes to become a CISO in today’s complex threat landscape and leave inspired to embrace their own unconventional paths with confidence, courage, and purpose.

Speaker: Nicolle "Nikki" Rosecrans

Chief Information Security Officer, Arapahoe County

Nikki Rosecrans is a visionary leader in cybersecurity, known for her resilience, strategic mindset, and fearless approach to tackling the evolving challenges of information security and compliance. Passionate about safeguarding digital ecosystems, she thrives under pressure and views failure as a catalyst for innovation and growth.

As Vice President of the Colorado Government Association for Information Technology (CGAIT) and Vice Chair of the GovRAMP Approvals Committee, Nikki exemplifies servant leadership. She is dedicated to advancing cybersecurity standards, fostering collaboration across agencies, and strengthening the digital infrastructure that supports the public sector. These leadership roles reflect her deep commitment to shaping the future of cybersecurity governance while continuously learning from a network of accomplished peers.

Nikki is currently pursuing her Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) certification at Carnegie Mellon University, where she combines academic rigor with real-world leadership experience to drive impactful change. She believes in the transformative power of education and mentorship—both as a means to grow personally and to support the development of the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

To Nikki, success in cybersecurity goes beyond technical skill; it demands courage, adaptability, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. She remains committed to meeting every challenge head-on, serving her community with integrity, and leading the way toward a more secure digital future.

Host or Publisher Denver ISSA Chapter