Women’s History Month Interview

Featuring: Jessica A. Robinson - Founder & CEO, PurePoint International

Can you walk us through your journey into cybersecurity and how you advanced to senior leadership roles such as CEO of PurePoint International?  In what ways has your identity and lived experience shaped your mission of creating a “consciously secure world” and your approach to leadership?

India, 2012

My path into cybersecurity leadership evolved naturally from my early interests in security and tech. As an undergraduate, I pursued a double major in computer science, and law and security because I was fascinated by how systems, both technological and human, can be protected and strengthened. Security felt like something I was meant to do in the world.

Earlier in my career, I held a leadership role responsible for a market of approximately $600–$650 million. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the intersection of business leadership, risk management, and strategic decision-making. When I stepped away from that role and reflected on what was next, holistic security was the clear path, but the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) path stood out clearly too. It allowed me to bring together my background in security, my leadership experience, and my curiosity about technology.

Stepping into CISO roles gave me the opportunity to build and lead security programs while continuing to learn and grow within the technology landscape. I embraced that challenge fully, allowing both my strengths of security and leadership to guide me. 

My vision for a more “consciously secure world” was shaped by both my professional journey and my lived experiences as an African American woman. This included global travel early on in my life as well. Throughout my life and career, I encountered moments of racism and sexism, in the US and globally, that made me deeply aware of what it means for people to feel unsafe whether in workplaces, communities, or society at large. These experiences connected me deeper not only to the struggles of women and people of color, but to a much broader community of individuals across genders and backgrounds who simply want to live and work in environments where they feel protected and respected.

In 2012, while traveling in India and reflecting on the future of my work in security, I had a powerful experience that led to a realization: security must be human-centered and holistic. From that insight, the vision for a more consciously secure world emerged. Within six months I founded PurePoint International, and within eighteen months I left corporate life to pursue this mission full-time.

Since then, my work, including my work as a CISO which was a by-product of this experience, has grown from that original vision, demonstrating how a holistic approach to security can create resilience and trust across organizations and communities worldwide.

As AI reshapes the threat landscape and increases operational pressures, how do you envision the future CISO role evolving- especially in balancing technical expertise, emotional intelligence, and strategic leadership?

In 2026, there is finally broader recognition that the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role is fundamentally a leadership and strategic advisory role, not simply a technical one. For many years, the position was often viewed primarily through a technical lens, but organizations are increasingly realizing that effective security leadership requires much more. A successful CISO must be able to translate complex risks into business language, guide executive decision-making, and help organizations navigate uncertainty. This is a tremendous responsibility and I always had deep honor for the companies I worked with in trusting me in this role. 

As AI reshapes the threat landscape, this leadership dimension becomes even more critical. CISOs must embrace AI not only as a new source of risk, but also as a powerful tool for defense and resilience. The future is today. The future CISO will combine strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and technological awareness, to help organizations safely navigate an increasingly AI-driven world.  Essentially, strengthening the ability to connect security to organizational goals is what ultimately creates value. This means the CISO will be involved more in customer facing security challenges (owned by product or customer service) with more dotted lines to the security team for CISO visibility.

AI is transforming everything from threat detection to personal risk. How do you see AI intersecting with holistic, human-centered security- especially for communities and nonprofits that your work often supports?

The key difference between traditional approaches to cybersecurity and a human-centered approach is what sits at the center of the system. In many traditional models, technology is the focal point. This includes tools, systems, and technical controls. In a human-centered approach, however, people come first, and technology exists to serve human well-being, safety, and purpose.

As AI continues to evolve, it will certainly play a major role in security and operations. But it’s important to remember that technology is ultimately a tool created to support humanity, not the other way around. Keeping humans at the center helps ensure that innovation remains aligned with the values and needs of the communities it affects.

For nonprofit organizations in particular, this perspective often aligns naturally with their mission-driven work. Many nonprofits already operate with a strong human-centered ethos, prioritizing the well-being of the communities they serve. As they adopt AI and other emerging technologies, their decisions may be guided not only by efficiency, but also by ethical considerations, community impact, and sustainability including issues like resource use and social responsibility.

Your philosophy that “cybersecurity is love” has been widely discussed. How does this human‑centered approach influence the way organizations should rethink digital, physical, and emotional security?

The idea that “cybersecurity is love” comes from a simple but powerful observation: much of the cybersecurity industry relies on fear to motivate action. Organizations are often told that if they don’t buy a certain product or prioritize a particular risk, something catastrophic will happen. While it’s important to educate leaders about real risks, there is a meaningful difference between awareness and fear-based messaging whether you are a product company selling to a CISO or individual, or whether you are a CISO influencing senior management and a board.

My philosophy reframes security from a place of fear to a place of love. Or if that word is too difficult to connect to in relation to cybersecurity, use care and responsibility. At its core, cybersecurity is about protecting what we value most, our families, our livelihoods, our communities, and the systems that allow us to do meaningful work in the world. When individuals and organizations secure their data, systems, and resources, they are ultimately acting from a place of love, stewardship and protection. It's important that they are being reminded of that versus them responding from a place of fear. 

This perspective has shaped how I lead as a CISO and how I built my company. Approaching security through the lens of love (and not being afraid to go there), trust, responsibility, and human well-being creates deeper conversations and stronger outcomes. Security becomes not just a technical function, but a commitment to safeguarding what matters most. It increases digital, emotional and physical security. I think this is central to the results I have been able to achieve for my clients.

You’ve spoken globally at major forums. What key lessons would you offer young women - particularly BIPOC women entering cybersecurity at a time when the field is shifting rapidly because of AI? 

1. Women of Silicon Valley Conference

2. RSA Conference, 2024

   
   

For women of color entering the cybersecurity field, especially in a world rapidly shaped by AI, there are three pieces of advice I believe are essential.

First, follow what genuinely excites you. Cybersecurity and AI offer an incredibly wide range of paths, from governance and risk to engineering, policy, and other emerging technologies.  It can be tempting to chase whatever seems like the “hot topic,” but those trends change quickly. When you follow what you are truly passionate about, you are more likely to stay committed (especially when challenges arise), grow your expertise, and make meaningful contributions. Passion creates staying power.

Second, commit to continuous learning. Technology evolves constantly, and curiosity is one of the most valuable traits you can cultivate. Even if you find yourself in a role that isn’t your ideal position yet, give it your full effort. Every experience builds skills and perspective that can open doors later.

Looking back on my own career, many of the opportunities that shaped my path were not ones I initially expected. Stay passionate, keep learning, and trust that the experiences along the way are preparing you for what comes next. Steve Jobs’ famous quote is so true: "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future". 

Three, believe in yourself like it's your full time job…because it is. Don't wait for others to do it for you. Sponsors can open doors to new opportunities, mentors can help you navigate challenges in real time, both of which are absolutely necessary, but the work of believing in yourself is for YOU to do!

Looking ahead 5–10 years, what does a ‘consciously secure world’ look like in an AI‑augmented era, and what responsibilities do today’s security leaders carry in building that future?

I hold many visions of what a consciously secure world can look like, haha.  In regards to an increasingly AI-augmented era, at its core, this vision keeps one principle clear: technology should serve humanity, not the other way around. AI and other emerging technologies can be extraordinary tools that help us solve complex problems, increase resilience, and support human flourishing. However, the human experience, our relationships, values, and sense of purpose, must remain at the center.

There are many conversations about the possibility of a more “transhuman” future, but I believe the most meaningful evolution will come from how we choose to use technology to support one another and our shared future. Technology can help humanity thrive, but it should remain a tool rather than something that replaces our humanity.

For leaders, this means thinking about security and AI not only at the level of a single organization, but across entire ecosystems, industries, vendors, partners, and communities. Security leaders have a responsibility to anticipate emerging risks while ensuring that technology is deployed ethically, responsibly, and in ways that protects people first, along with the systems and data that support them.

When future generations of women look back at trailblazers in cybersecurity, what impact do you hope your work will represent?

It’s safe to say my approach to security has been very different from many of my contemporaries. One, starting a business, something I never thoughtI would do. Second, is intentionally making the decision to be a consulting CISO versus a W2 (FTE) CISO. The third, as you highlighted, has been a philosophy of “cybersecurity is love.” Fourth, is the focus on holistic security, or human centered security, which has guided all of my work since 2012 specifically and for which I am now working towards a Phd. 

I have always been guided to serve something higher than myself, and higher than my own personal ambitions. My intuition, which has been my faithful guide, no matter how difficult the journey, has always led me to where I needed to be. I have been fired, have had to fire others, have received an eviction notice, and at times money is more plentiful than at other times (nature of owning a business).  When I first started working as a consulting CISO people laughed at me, and asked why would someone hire a CISO when they could work with IT (really?). These responses actually led me to stop attending security events for a few years. All of these have been powerful redirects, even if I could not recognize them then. Of course, things changed. Over time, this way of working as a CISO has basically become a sub-industry of itself now. It's amazing the difference 11 years makes.  

I truly believe when you are connected to a higher calling, connected to spirit, Universe, God, Goddess, whatever it is for you (versus the opinions and expectations of others), you will be supported and rewarded. For me that has meant keeping that truth central to my life and work, remaining humble knowing any blessings I have received or will receive come from a place far greater than me. This is what has provided me with the will and faith to continue forward in those challenging times. 

If my name were to come up by future generations, I would hope that they would say,  I did what I was told from Spirit and I walked my own path with purpose creating a trail for other leaders to join where we all walked and worked together to create a more consciously secure world. Also, that they continued the work in the future that WE started today.

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-a-robinson-22740311/