Dysfunctional Sweat Shop - CISO Chief Information Security Officer Zones Employee Review

1.0
May 8, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Zones pays slightly better than unemployment. Anwar is the kindest CIO I have ever worked with. Most of the other C-level folks are honest and hardworking executives who care about employees and keeping the company competitive.

Cons

* The CTO that runs IT is a micromanaging tyrant who creates a toxic environment across the entire company and it the cause for so much of the turnover. When you read reviews about good people at Zones, know that they probably have left or are leaving to avoid this petty dictator. Though you might have a decent direct manager, expect the CTO to rudely chastise you publicly if you do not deliver on unrealistic (and vague) requirements or if he is just having a bad day. * Expect to work 15 hour days if you are a US employee and weekends if in IT. Expect daily back-to-back meetings explaining why you are not getting anything done. * There is no appetite for training and certainly no budget. Technology is antiquated, brittle and ephemeral. You may learn some things if you are entry level but mostly you will learn to go look for a job anywhere else. * DO NOT work here if you care about informations security or privacy. The CTO is the prime example of all the bad IT managers you ever hear about in infosec circles. Expect to spend most of your time under the bus and have credit for any accomplishments you achieve stolen by the CTO. Expect a major breach and lawsuit. * The company is heavily siloed. The other departments rightly dislike IT - really just the CTO - so you will get to swim in this toxic malstrom of acrimony and non-communication while contending with duplicated and disjoint solutions.

Explore other reviews about Zones

5.0
Feb 16, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The culture here is fast‑moving and expectations are high. That can be challenging at times, but it also creates opportunities to learn, take ownership, and make a real impact. Success often comes to those who are adaptable, self‑driven, and comfortable with ambiguity.

Cons

Better communication would help drive the vision forward in a more cohesive way

1.0
Jul 9, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

If you need money it’s fine.

Cons

Everything else about the company and how management operates is inefficient and cliquey

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