Tidal Cyber Cultivates CISO Network to Drive Threat-Led Defense Adoption

Event summary

  • Tidal Cyber launched 'Waves of Influence,' a thought leadership program for CISOs, on February 9, 2026.
  • The program consists of exclusive, off-the-record dinners across the United States, convening small groups of security leaders.
  • Rick Howard, founder of First Principles Consulting and CyberCanon Project, will facilitate and moderate the sessions.
  • The dinners will focus on Threat-Led Defense and shared challenges in cybersecurity, avoiding product-focused discussions.
  • Tidal Cyber positions the program as an investment in industry collaboration and leadership alignment.

The big picture

Tidal Cyber's 'Waves of Influence' program signals a shift towards a more collaborative and community-driven approach to cybersecurity leadership. The company's focus on Threat-Led Defense, coupled with the curated nature of the dinners, suggests an attempt to establish itself as a central hub for shaping industry strategy. This move is particularly relevant given the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the growing pressure on CISOs to demonstrate resilience and risk reduction.

What we're watching

Adoption Rate
The success of Waves of Influence hinges on attracting and retaining a critical mass of influential CISOs, and whether the program’s exclusivity fosters genuine collaboration or becomes a networking exercise.
Influence on Strategy
How the discussions within Waves of Influence shape the broader adoption of Threat-Led Defense and whether Tidal Cyber can genuinely influence industry best practices beyond its own customer base.
Competitive Response
Other cybersecurity vendors will likely observe Tidal Cyber’s initiative and may attempt to replicate it, potentially leading to a fragmentation of industry thought leadership and a dilution of its impact.