Don't Believe the HYPE: Trustworthy mission, but management and infrastructure struggles - Anonymous employee Center for Internet Security Employee Review

I have been working for CIS now for 3 years and while the past year especially has been full of challenges, I have NEVER worked for an employer who ACTUALLY cares so much about their employees (and they put their money where their mouth is too). One of my favorite parts is the Nourish Your Soul events put on monthly where CIS provides us with 2+ hours of enrichment activities. They reward good work with spot bonuses & raises AND they have preserved the yearly cost-of-living increases.

Last year was a difficult with Doge cutting our government funding but I am incredibly proud of how the company handled this difficult transition while still expressing how much value their employees bring.

The organization has talented, hardworking employees who care deeply about their work and the mission. Many teams continue to perform well despite ongoing uncertainty at the executive level.

The company suffers from a serious executive leadership problem that has significantly damaged employee trust and morale. A large number of employees were laid off, followed shortly by the hiring of multiple new executives. This sequence was difficult for employees to reconcile and created the perception that financial decisions were not aligned with stated priorities or operational realities. Decision-making at the top appears to be driven more by personal preference and executive relationships than by data, performance metrics, or clearly articulated business strategy. Certain executives and initiatives receive strong support regardless of outcomes, while others are deprioritized without transparent explanation. As a result, confidence in the executive leadership team is extremely low across much of the organization, especially of the CEO. While individual executives may be capable, the overall team appears constrained by a culture where dissent is discouraged and alignment is enforced rather than earned. This has led to an environment where employees feel unheard, uncertain about the future, and disconnected from leadership decisions that directly affect their work and livelihoods.