Chief Information Security Officer (San Francisco)

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company, operating over 260 data centers across the globe. Digital leaders harness Equinix's trusted platform to bring together and interconnect foundational infrastructure at software speed. Equinix enables organizations to access all the right places, partners and possibilities to scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value, while supporting their sustainability goals.

A leadership role at Equinix means you will drive and collaborate on work that impacts the world. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment that is foundational to our core values as a company and is vital to our success.

Job Summary

We seek a visionary and execution-focused Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to lead Equinix’s global cyber security strategy. This role is responsible for safeguarding the organization’s systems and platforms, networks and data across all geographies, ensuring regulatory and operational compliance, and building a modern, resilient security architecture that enables innovation. The CISO will also play a strategic role in exploring opportunities to transform security into a differentiator and maybe become a potential revenue stream for Equinix in the future. This executive position will report directly to our Chief Digital and Innovation Officer (CDIO) and will be a key executive of Equinix.

Responsibilities

Enterprise Strategic Leadership

• Define and drive the enterprise-wide information and cyber security strategy across the company, with a vision to make Equinix one of the most secure and trusted global companies
• Oversee all aspects of security operations, governance, architecture, engineering and incident response to protect systems, networks, and our data
• Lead the modernization and simplification of the security environment to support Equinix’s digital transformation agenda. Keep us secure but allow us to innovate
• Embed “secure-by-design” principles into software development, infrastructure provisioning, and vendor management
• Collaborate with technology and business leaders to integrate security considerations into digital initiatives, cloud strategies, emerging technologies, and operational processes

Risk and Compliance

• Fully own the global cyber risk management framework, aligning with regulatory requirements and business risk appetite
• Ensure compliance with international data privacy and security regulations across all operating regions
• Take leadership in policy compliance and policy setting working closely with leading regulators and authorities across the Digital industry

Security Culture & Stakeholder Engagement

• Champion a proactive security culture across Equinix’s global workforce, including training, education, and executive engagement
• Work closely with product, engineering, legal, and operations teams to ensure security is embedded across the enterprise
• Serve as a key advisor to the executive leadership team and the Board of Directors on cyber resilience and emerging threats

Technology and Innovation

• Build a scalable, automated, cloud-native security architecture to support Equinix’s digital and platform strategy
• Partner with the CTO/CDO functions to drive DevSecOps adoption and enable secure product delivery at speed
• Bring an innovation and techno-commercial mindset around security to help build our security solutions as a platform with a potential to allow Equinix to monetize it in future, should we choose to

Qualifications

The Chief Information Security Officer must be a well-rounded, seasoned and proven strategic security leader capable of leading security in a complex, global environment with execution depth but also an innovative and techno-commercial mindset

• Demonstrated experience leading transformational security programs in high-growth, cloud-first or digital businesses
• Proven ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, influencing across technical and executive audiences
• Deep knowledge of global cybersecurity regulations, cloud security architecture, identity management, and data protection
• Strong track record in building high-performing, globally distributed security teams. A security talent magnet!
• Experience with monetization or platform-level security differentiation is a plus

What Success Looks Like

• Equinix has a clear, robust, and adaptive security posture aligned with its digital ambitions
• Security is viewed as an enabler of innovation, not just a control function
• Executive stakeholders and customers have increasing confidence in Equinix’s cyber resilience and we are considered as the safest and most trusted digital partner by our customers
• Security maturity improvements are measurable, and key risks are proactively managed and amongst the best in the industry
• A long-term foundation is laid for security to contribute to revenue generation via platform trust and differentiation

Equinix values an open, honest, and collaborative culture and advocates teams working together to create positive change. The company promotes personal, professional, and team fulfillment while focusing on the broader community. The ideal candidate will be a team builder, player, and coach. Personal drive, passion, industriousness, results orientation, and enthusiasm are essential. The Chief Information Security Officer must bring:

• Ability to anticipate the unknown by drawing on vast experiences, willingness to see past the present, and continually innovate and create new ways to remain at the forefront of security
• Leadership ability that attracts talent and creates loyalty, trust, and followership. One who can energize people and teams and make cross-functional and cross-business cooperation happen. Subordinates, peers, and superiors must highly respect this individual
• A combination of personality traits—collaboration, honesty, integrity, intensity, passion and a low ego—necessary to blend with the rest of the executive management team
• A compelling leadership style that includes exceptional people management skills, program management, business and technology expertise with a style that inspires confidence
• An effective communication style that is direct, structured, and succinct. One who can articulate complex concepts clearly and simply and can adjust communication based on the technical expertise of the audience. Must have experience effectively presenting to a seasoned audience including the senior leadership team and board of directors
• A hands-on and entrepreneurial style –one that looks to become personally involved in all elements of managing their functional responsibility, and someone who seeks to develop senior managers and experts with similar capabilities
• The intellect and the executive presence to become an enabler and true business partner across the corporation –someone who can contribute to broader business conversations beyond their functional expertise
• Organizational savvy to solicit the involvement of others to build a sense of ownership. Must have the confidence to act quickly and decisively when the environment requires such agility

Why Join Us? As the Chief Information Security Officer, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our organization’s security landscape. You will be at the forefront of protecting our digital infrastructure and ensuring the trust of our customers and stakeholders. Join us in our mission to deliver secure and innovative digital solutions that drive growth and connectivity worldwide.

The United States targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

• San Francisco, CA / Bay Area: $332,000 to $498,000 per year

Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.

This position may be offered in other locations. Your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. Details about our company benefits can be found at the following link:

USA Benefits eBook

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form .

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by