Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Exclusive Executive Dinner
The Analyst Firm for the Next Generation of Cybersecurity
The Convergence of AI and Data Security: An Industry-Wide Majestic Technoscope of Unified Agentic Defense Platforms.
This report examines the emergence of Unified Agentic Defense Platforms (UADP) as a new security architecture for agents
Emerging Agentic Identity Access Platforms (AIAP)
The New “Okta + SailPoint for Agents” are the centralized brokering, Intent-based authorization, and zero standing privilege controls across the identity
SACR
The Analyst Firm for the Next Generation of Cybersecurity
The AI SOC Market Landscape 2025
Our analysis maps market leaders to your team’s maturity level and outlines a practical, staged rollout plan. This strategy prioritizes governance and measurable automation, providing a clear path to building a modern, AI-driven security operation.
Market Guide 2025: The Rise of Security Data Pipelines & How SIEMs Must Evolve
A practical roadmap for CISOs modernizing the SOC data layer: How security data pipelines are redefining SIEM economics and laying the groundwork for the future Security Operations Center (SOC)
Market Guide 2025: The Rise of Security Data Pipelines & How SIEMs Must Evolve
A practical roadmap for CISOs modernizing the SOC data layer: How security data pipelines are redefining SIEM economics and laying the groundwork for the future Security Operations Center (SOC)
Shaping the Future of the SOC at Black Hat 2025
CISO Dinner
Join us for an exclusive, vendor-neutral dinner during Black Hat 2025, where leaders in security operations will gather to explore and shape the future of the SOC.
This event is designed for senior SOC leaders to connect, reflect on shared challenges, and discuss emerging strategies for the evolution of security operations.
Sean Sosnowski Joins SACR as Research Director
Aqsa Taylor
SACR Welcomes Sean Sosnowski as Research Director
We are excited to welcome Sean Sosnowski as Research Director at Software Analyst Cyber Research (SACR). In this role, Sean will lead research and advisory initiatives across several of SACR’s core coverage areas, including Cloud and Application Security, Identity Security, Data and AI Security, and Security Operations markets. He will work closely with the research team to analyze industry trends, develop market insights, and produce reports that help security leaders make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Sean joins SACR following nearly a decade of service in the United States Marine Corps, where he built a distinguished career as an Intelligence Analyst. Throughout his time in the federal sector, he specialized in transforming complex and high-volume intelligence data into clear, actionable insights that supported both operational planning and strategic decision-making. His experience spans multiple analytical and operational roles, including Kill Chain Intelligence Analyst, Senior Watch Officer, and Senior Intelligence Analyst supporting Marine Air Ground Task Force operations, including forward-deployed intelligence support in Africa.
Most recently, Sean served as a MAGTF Intelligence Instructor with Marine Corps Intelligence Schools, where he designed and delivered advanced intelligence curriculum and coordinated training programs that prepared hundreds of analysts annually. His work focused on developing analysts capable of critical thinking, structured analysis, and effective decision-making in complex environments. In recognition of his impact on training and mentorship, he was named the 2025 Technical Instructor of the Year.
At SACR, Sean brings a disciplined analytical approach shaped by years of intelligence work, bridging tactical analysis with strategic insight. His background in structured decision-making and threat analysis strengthens SACR’s ability to deliver research that is both technically grounded and practitioner-focused.
Sean’s appointment reflects SACR’s continued commitment to expanding its research leadership and providing cybersecurity leaders with trusted insights into emerging technologies and market shifts.

SACR Welcomes Anna Perrone as Research Associate
It’s equally our pleasure to welcome Anna Perrone as Research Associate at SACR. Partnering with our analyst team, Anna will play a key role in supporting research execution, maintaining research infrastructure, and preparing materials that enable high-quality advisory and market analysis. She holds a B.S. in Applied Mathematics and Music from Hillsdale College and brings strong analytical and organizational skills to SACR’s research operations.
Welcome to SACR, Sean and Anna.
CISO Events
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at the moment, stay tuned for updates.
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
Past Events
Dallas Executive Security Leaders Dinner
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Hear what it means when runtime becomes the live control plane for context, prioritization, and response, and why traditional, static approaches continue to fall short as cloud operations and security operations converge.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
What CISOs Need To Know About Unified Agentic Defense Platforms
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Analyze the shift toward a cohesive, machine-speed model designed for agentic systems, and why traditional, fragmented tools continue to fall short as autonomous agents and human identities begin to operate with overlapping privileges.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
NYC Executive Security Leaders Dinner Highlights
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
See highlights and key moments from our exclusive executive dinner and networking event in New York.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
Evolution of Modern Risk & Exposure Management Platforms: What Security Leaders Must Know in 2025
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Based on the Market Guide 2025, listen to Aqsa Taylor, our Chief Research Officer, explain the major trends in the risk and exposure management category, the practitioner’s guide for selecting the platform that best fits their needs, and the key bottlenecks to watch out for.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
Bridging the Gap: What CISOs Must Know About the Convergence of Cloud Security and the SOC
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
Hear an independent perspective on how CISOs are addressing the convergence of cloud security and SOC operations. Grounded in research, these discussions go beyond vendor marketing and focus on the most pressing challenges impacting your role today.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
San Francisco CISO Dinner Highlights
Becoming a CISO: Insights from Security Leaders Who’ve Made the Leap
See highlights and key moments from our exclusive executive dinner and networking event in San Francisco.
Examine the transition from technical oversight to organizational resilience, and why traditional leadership frameworks fall short as the CISO role shifts from a defensive silo into a core driver of enterprise risk and board-level strategy.
Dallas Executive Security Leaders Dinner
See highlights and key moments from our exclusive executive dinner and networking event in Dallas.
What CISOs Need To Know About Unified Agentic Defense Platforms
Analyze the shift toward a cohesive, machine-speed model designed for agentic systems, and why traditional, fragmented tools continue to fall short as autonomous agents and human identities begin to operate with overlapping privileges.
NYC Executive Security Leaders Dinner Highlights
See highlights and key moments from our exclusive executive dinner and networking event in New York.
Evolution of Modern Risk & Exposure Management Platforms: What Security Leaders Must Know in 2025
Based on the Market Guide 2025, listen to Aqsa Taylor, our Chief Research Officer, explain the major trends in the risk and exposure management category, the practitioner’s guide for selecting the platform that best fits their needs, and the key bottlenecks to watch out for.
Bridging the Gap: What CISOs Must Know About the Convergence of Cloud Security and the SOC
Hear an independent perspective on how CISOs are addressing the convergence of cloud security and SOC operations. Grounded in research, these discussions go beyond vendor marketing and focus on the most pressing challenges impacting your role today.
San Francisco CISO Dinner Highlights
See highlights and key moments from our exclusive executive dinner and networking event in San Francisco.
What We Do
We sit at the intersection of the people building security tools and the people buying them. Everything we create is designed to bridge that gap.
Our independent research provides the clarity to navigate complex markets.
Research
We are a trusted partner for direct guidance in shaping your product strategy.
Advisory
Our bootcamp and training programs equip security teams all over the world.
Education
We deliver expert insights to CISOs and technical practitioners via keynotes and webinars.
Speaking
Building a trusted community of CISOs shaping the future of cybersecurity.
CISO Community
Areas of Specialization
Software Analyst® helps security leaders make faster, clearer decisions on emerging technologies.
Cloud & Application Security
- CNAPP: Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform
- ASPM: Application Security Posture Management
Data and AI Security
- DSPM: Data Security Posture Management
- Security for AI/LLM: Security for Artificial Intelligence / Large Language Models
- DLP: Data Loss Prevention
Identity & Network Security
- NHI: Non-Human Identities
- IAM: Identity and Access Management
- PAM: Privileged Access Management
Security Operations Center
- ETL data pipeline, routing and threat intelligence.
- SIEMs/Data Lakes infrastructure
- Next-Gen SOAR & AI Automation
Software Analyst® helps security leaders make faster, clearer decisions on emerging technologies.
Trusted by leading companies
Podcasts & Webinars
Our Promise to You
We promise to keep it clear
The industry is saturated with buzzwords, hype, and jargon. You won’t find that here. We break down complex ideas into practical, understandable insights without watering them down.
We promise to keep it real
Our research is grounded in hundreds of conversations with security teams, buyers, and builders. If we say something, it’s because we’ve heard it firsthand.
We promise to stay independent
We don’t take shortcuts. Every report is written in our own voice, free from vendor spin, and always driven by what the market is actually doing, not what marketing says it is doing.
Real feedback from our audience
About us
From trusted research to market-shaping insights.
Software Analyst Cybersecurity Research (SACR) is a modern analyst firm for the modern security industry.
We work with CISOs, founders, and security teams to bring clarity to complex categories, through independent research, strategic insight, and high trust conversations.
Software Analyst Cybersecurity Research (SACR) is a modern analyst firm for the modern security industry.
We work with CISOs, founders, and security teams to bring clarity to complex categories, through independent research, strategic insight, and high trust conversations.
Software Analyst Cybersecurity Research (SACR) is a modern analyst firm for the modern security industry.
We work with CISOs, founders, and security teams to bring clarity to complex categories, through independent research, strategic insight, and high trust conversations.

