Charles Poff
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Austin, Texas, United States
Professional Overview
Charles Poff is an experienced Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) with a proven track record of driving cybersecurity initiatives and safeguarding critical information assets. With his deep expertise in enterprise risk management, security strategy, and compliance, he has consistently delivered measurable improvements in organizational security posture across diverse industries.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the CISO at Eventbrite, Charles is responsible for leading the company's overall information security strategy and operations. He oversees the development and implementation of comprehensive security policies, controls, and governance frameworks to protect Eventbrite's global technology infrastructure and data. Under his leadership, the organization has enhanced its security maturity, mitigated emerging threats, and maintained regulatory compliance.
Career Progression
Prior to his current role, Charles served as the VP of Information Security/CISO at FourKites, Inc., where he played a pivotal role in strengthening the company's security program and enabling its global expansion. Before that, he held the position of CISO at SailPoint, where he spearheaded the transformation of the company's security function and earned industry recognition for his contributions.
Charles has also held senior security leadership roles at HomeAway, Inc. (an Expedia company now VRBO), where he led the development and implementation of enterprise-wide security strategies and solutions. Additionally, he has served as an Adjunct Professor at St. Edward's University, sharing his expertise in information security with the next generation of professionals.
Academic Background
Charles holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with distinction. He has also completed various industry-recognized certifications, including CISSP and CISM, further demonstrating his commitment to professional development and staying at the forefront of cybersecurity best practices.
Areas of Expertise
- Enterprise risk management and security strategy
- Information security governance, policies, and compliance
- Security architecture and infrastructure design
- Threat detection, incident response, and digital forensics
- Security awareness and training program development
- Vendor risk management and third-party risk assessment
Professional Impact
Throughout his career, Charles has spearheaded several high-impact initiatives that have strengthened the security posture of the organizations he has served. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Implementing a robust security framework that enabled FourKites to achieve a significant reduction in security incidents and regulatory fines
- Leading the development and deployment of a comprehensive identity and access management solution at SailPoint, which enhanced user authentication and authorization controls
- Driving the adoption of advanced security technologies and processes at HomeAway/VRBO, resulting in a 35% decrease in the number of successful cyber attacks
Conclusion
With his extensive experience, technical expertise, and strategic leadership, Charles Poff is a highly valuable asset to any organization seeking to enhance its cybersecurity resilience and protect its critical information assets. His passion for innovation and commitment to staying ahead of evolving security threats make him a trusted advisor and a key contributor to the overall success of the companies he serves.
