CISO Global Lands 30 Year Sales Veteran Michael Czerneda to Ignite the Next Wave of Software Growth
Rhea-AI Summary
CISO Global (NASDAQ: CISO) appointed Michael Czerneda as Vice President of Sales effective Feb. 18, 2026. Czerneda brings over 30 years of sales leadership and will lead enterprise-wide sales to accelerate the company's transition to scalable, software-driven growth.
He will scale the sales organization, increase adoption of the company’s four cybersecurity software products in-market, and pursue growth through existing cyber services customers and insurance distribution channels, including CAGI.
Positive
- Hires VP with 30+ years of sales leadership
- Four cybersecurity software products currently in-market
- Mandate to scale sales organization and processes
- Targeting insurance distribution channels, including CAGI
Negative
- None.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
CISO was modestly lower (-1.91%) while peers were mixed: MOGO +3.88%, DVLT -6.71%, INTZ -3.67%. Momentum scan shows CSAI and VRAR up (about 5–7%) and DTSS down, indicating broader cross-currents rather than a clean sector-wide move aligned with CISO.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 15 | Strategic partnership | Positive | +8.0% | CyberSimple® partnership targeting 358 clinics with large TAM and protection limits. |
| Dec 17 | Commercial win | Positive | -1.0% | Over $1.1M in CHECKLIGHT® software sales and expanded three‑year contract. |
| Dec 16 | Shareholder meeting | Neutral | +0.2% | All proposals approved, including 1,000,000,000 authorized share increase and equity plan. |
| Nov 18 | Regulatory/compliance win | Positive | +5.7% | TalaTek subsidiary achieved C3PAO designation under CMMC, expanding assessment reach. |
| Oct 15 | Conference appearance | Neutral | -5.7% | CEO scheduled for LD Micro talks on trading activity and corporate overview. |
News tied directly to commercial wins or certifications has often led to positive reactions, while financing and governance items show mixed or even negative follow‑through.
Over the past few months, CISO Global has combined strategic partnerships and governance changes with balance sheet repair. In October 2025, it filed an S‑1 targeting $15 million, followed by a Preferred Equity Purchase Agreement with B. Riley for up to $15.0 million. Shareholders later approved increasing authorized common stock to 1.3 billion and expanding the equity plan. Operationally, the company highlighted TalaTek’s C3PAO designation and booked over $1.1 million in CHECKLIGHT® sales, plus a partnership reaching more than 358 dental clinics. Today’s sales leadership hire fits the ongoing shift toward software-driven growth on top of this capital and compliance foundation.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective S-3 shelf from June 26, 2025 allows CISO Global to offer up to $100 million in various securities, including a sales agreement prospectus for up to $10.38 million in common stock through multiple agents. The company has already sold $2.78 million under S‑3 limits, indicating active use of this flexible financing capacity.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement adds an experienced sales executive with over 30 years of leadership to accelerate CISO Global’s shift toward software-driven growth. His remit spans scaling the sales organization and boosting adoption of the company’s four cybersecurity software products, including via insurance distribution channels. Against a backdrop of recent capital-raising tools, such as a $100 million S‑3 shelf and preferred stock agreements, investors may watch for tangible revenue traction, enterprise wins, and software mix expansion as key proof points.
Key Terms
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AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
New Vice President of Sales to accelerate software-driven growth across cyber services platform and insurance distribution channels
Scottsdale, Ariz., Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CISO Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: CISO) (“CISO Global” or the “Company”), a provider of AI-powered cybersecurity software and compliance services, today announced the appointment of Michael Czerneda as Vice President of Sales. In this role, Czerneda will lead enterprise-wide sales initiatives as the Company accelerates its transition toward scalable, software-driven growth built on its established cyber services platform.
Czerneda brings more than 30 years of sales leadership experience spanning UCaaS, CCaaS, data center, service provider, premise-based PBX, and cybersecurity markets. Throughout his career, he has built and scaled high-performing teams across both direct and channel sales, driving consistent execution across complex technology environments.
Most recently, Czerneda served as National Director of Sales at Crexendo® Business Solutions, where he led a national organization delivering AI-infused CCaaS/XCaaS, UCaaS, MSP services, and cybersecurity solutions. Prior to Crexendo®, he held senior leadership roles at Nextiva, One Stream, and Cisco.
As Vice President of Sales, Czerneda will be responsible for shaping and scaling CISO Global’s sales organization, including recruiting, team development, operational cadence, and the implementation of best-in-class sales processes and performance management. His mandate will include increasing adoption of the Company’s four cybersecurity software products currently in-market, with a strategic focus on expanding within CISO Global’s existing cyber services customer base and driving growth through insurance distribution channels, including CAGI.
“Michael is a rare combination of strategic sales leader and execution-focused operator,” said David Jemmett, Chief Executive Officer of CISO Global. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with him in the past and have seen firsthand his ability to build teams, drive revenue, and deliver results across demanding technology markets. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue advancing our evolution into a cybersecurity software led growth company.”
“CISO Global is uniquely positioned with an established cyber services foundation and a portfolio of software solutions already gaining traction in the market,” said Michael Czerneda, Vice President of Sales. “I’m excited to join at this pivotal time and help build a world class sales organization that expands our reach through existing customers and strategic channel partnerships, particularly within the insurance ecosystem.”
About CISO Global
CISO Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: CISO), headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a provider of AI-powered cybersecurity software, managed cybersecurity, and compliance solutions designed to protect organizations from evolving cyber threats and support their compliance obligations. For more information, visit ciso.inc. To join the Company’s investor relations email alerts, please see: https://ir.ciso.inc/investor-alerts/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements under federal securities laws, and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements include, among others, our belief that we are an industry leader in AI-powered cybersecurity software, managed cybersecurity, and compliance; our belief that hiring Czerneda will accelerate our sales initiatives toward scalable, software-driven growth; our belief in Czerneda and his 30 years of experience and his leadership; our belief that the sales of our cyber services and software solutions will grow with a solid sales organization; and our belief that we provide comprehensive cybersecurity solutions to our clients. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," “predict,” "plan," “project,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “potential,” “opportunity,” "will," "may," "look forward," "intend," "guidance," "future" or similar words or phrases. These statements reflect our current views, expectations, and beliefs concerning future events and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by such forward-looking statements. These risks may be detailed from time to time in the reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation and do not intend to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.
For Media Inquiries:
Debra Gallington
debra.gallington@ciso.inc
(480) 389-3444
FAQ
Who is Michael Czerneda and what role did CISO (CISO) announce on February 18, 2026?
What will Michael Czerneda focus on to drive growth at CISO (CISO)?
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Will CISO (CISO) pursue insurance distribution channels under the new sales leadership?
What experience does Michael Czerneda bring from his prior roles relevant to CISO (CISO)?
