Top 5% of High Impact Cybersecurity CROs Command Premiums 20% Above Market Median
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ai—Christian & Timbers, the first tech executive search firm, announced the release of a proprietary study today entitled: “Navigating the Cybersecurity Talent Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis of C-Suite Compensation Trends in 2025.” It can be accessed at LINK.
Based on data collected from approximately 100 venture-backed and 75 private equity-backed privately held cybersecurity companies and over 300 executives, the study analyzes compensation for CEOs, CFOs, CROs, CMOs, CTOs, CPOs, CPTOs, and CAIOs. It compares variations in compensation by company size and funding stage, ranging from Series A startups to established enterprises valued between $500 million and $1 billion.
Jeff Christian, CEO of Christian & Timbers, says, “There is a war for talent as the world continues to digitize and cyber threats escalate. Attracting and retaining top executive leadership is a core strategic priority. This study provides a detailed breakdown of compensation patterns that helps boards and investors make more informed hiring decisions.” He added, “Having just returned from RSA, the buzz was all about AI. CEOs and investors are elevating the importance of AI expertise and seeking a new breed of CROs who can scale quickly and provide strategic direction for revenue acceleration while leveraging AI.”
The study reveals that cybersecurity executive compensation climbed by 4.3% in 2025 as talent competition intensified, reflecting growing demand for leaders who can navigate both technological disruption and revenue challenges.
This proprietary study serves as a definitive benchmark for understanding compensation package structures across key cybersecurity leadership roles. By analyzing salary, bonus, and equity trends, the report offers meaningful guidance to executives and stakeholders navigating a competitive hiring market.
Some of the most impactful trends in cybersecurity leadership for 2025 are:
- Cybersecurity companies are searching for a new type of CRO who is both strategic and tactically sharp. Top-of-funnel-focused CROs no longer drive growth as they did before. While slower enterprise buying cycles are often blamed, elite CROs continue to excel. Today’s high-impact CROs combine data fluency with rapid decision-making and hands-on execution. This blend of strategy and operations is rare. These CROs belong in the 95th percentile and are closely monitored by leading private equity and venture firms. Christian & Timbers catalogs this talent through its OnPoint platform.
- In 2024, Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) gained prominence across cybersecurity firms. Zscaler’s CAIO appointment reflects this shift as GenAI, LLMs, and agentic systems become strategic priorities. Boards are actively evaluating risks, opportunities, and partnerships in this space. The CAIO now plays a central role in aligning AI with product and enterprise strategy. In larger companies, SVPs and VPs of AI lead deployment. This momentum continues in 2025. CAIO compensation rose by 9 percent, with demand exceeding supply.
- Demand for CPTOs remains elevated in 2025. These hybrid leaders drive engineering and product teams, often overseeing LLM-based development and AI integration. CPTOs are now expected to deliver both operational stability and strategic vision. Their role is critical to AI innovation, platform growth, and organizational alignment, with compensation increases outpacing most peers.
Our study incorporated data from multiple sources, including proprietary surveys and external benchmarks such as Mercer’s January 2025 QuickPulse U.S. Compensation Planning Survey, which forecasted a 3.7% increase in total salary budgets for non-unionized employees. Based on our analysis, cybersecurity C-suite compensation is increasing at an average rate of 3.8%, with certain leadership roles experiencing materially higher growth. We anticipate a 4.2% increase for CROs and a 4.1% increase for CPTOs. CAIOs are seeing even steeper increases, ranging from 8% to 10%, as competition for this rare leadership talent intensifies.
Base and bonus compensation for existing CEOs will remain flat in most cybersecurity companies, with a 2% increase in cash compensation for newly hired CEOs. However, total compensation, especially when equity is included, is rising sharply in GenAI-focused cybersecurity startups founded in 2024 and 2025. In these firms, valuations have surged, and new leadership hires are securing significantly higher equity-based packages than the broader market norm.
For more information and to access the full report, visit LINK.
Christian & Timbers has specialized in cybersecurity talent acquisition for decades, providing tailored strategies to help clients secure the most impactful executive leaders in the field.
About Christian & Timbers
Founded over four decades ago, C&T is the first technology-focused executive search firm. The firm has significantly shaped the leadership dynamics within the tech industry, completing over 1,000 CEO assignments.
Contacts
Jeff Christian
216-583-6083
[email protected]
