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CSO and CISO: Mad About You

A first encounter between two security executives—one a "cop," the other a "geek." Can they find mutual understanding (and even love)?

December 01, 2004 — CSO — The SceneA trendy restaurant in downtown Chicago. Jake DeLaw, CSO for a large consumer products company, taps his fingers on the table, checks his watch and keeps his eye out for a 5'7" brunette in a black pantsuit. He's nervous; it's the first date he's had since his wife up and left him 10 months ago for one of his former FBI buddies, the weasel. He surveys the room, putting to memory the location of the emergency exit, a habit he picked up during his years in the bureau. Cripes, it's loud in here, DeLaw thinks, as synthesizer-heavy Europop music cranks through the speakers (why can't they play Sinatra or Bennett?) and mixes with the high-pitched buzz of twentysomethings throwing back fluorescent drinks and shouting over each other.

Melissa Hardrive strides into the restaurant. Hardrive is the CISO for a national trucking company. She's recently ended a relationship with her Pilates instructor and only grudgingly agreed to meet Mr. DeLaw, a friend of a friend. She eyes a slightly graying, square-jawed man in a dark suit and tie, collarless shirt sitting by himself and guesses she's spotted her dinner companion. The hostess leads her to his table.

DeLaw (standing up, offering his hand): Hi Melissa, Jake DeLaw. Very nice to meet you.

Hardrive: Melissa Hardrive. It's a pleasure. (They sit; the server brings over two menus and a wine list. They chat briefly about the weather and the price of oil. When the server appears, DeLaw orders a crabcake appetizer and a rib eye for an entrÃ©e, Hardrive the foie gras ravioli and striped bass. After some discussion, they agree on a bottle of Bordeaux. Hardrive notes DeLaw's ease in navigating the wine list; she was half expecting him to ask what light beers they had on tap.)

DeLaw: Well, I never expected to be having dinner with another security type. I understand you head up infosecurity at Bigwheels?

Hardrive: Yes. And you're the CSO at Skindeep?

DeLaw: Yeah, I've been there two years now. I'm the knuckle-draggin' corporate cop, making sure our shampoos and lotions make it to your bathroom in an unadulterated fashion.

Hardrive: And what did you do before you entered the world of glamour?

DeLaw: Well, let's see, I spent 15 years with the Chicago PD, then joined the FBI sometime around 1990. After a dozen years or so, I realized that putting three kids through college was going to be, uh, a bit of a challenge. That's when I decided to jump ship for the huge bucks. (He chuckles.) And you? How long have you been at Bigwheels?