Liberty Dental Plan, a leader in dental insurance innovation and data protection, proudly announces that Rushton G. James M.Sc., Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer, has once again been named a recipient of the prestigious A100 Award by CISOs Connect™. This marks a second consecutive year of recognition, affirming James’s position as one of the most impactful up-and-coming cybersecurity leaders in the country.

The A100 Awards build on CISOs Connect’s industry-acclaimed Top 100 CISOs (C100) Awards and are designed specifically to highlight rising security executives. Honorees are selected through a 100% transparent, peer-driven process, judged solely on merit by a board composed entirely of veteran CISOs—with no nomination or participation fees.

Key criteria include:

• Executive Leadership: Currently serving as a CISO or equivalent at an end-user enterprise for fewer than five years, demonstrating rapid impact and strategic influence at the executive level.
• Vision and Innovation: Demonstrated ability to modernize security strategies, foster innovation, and align cybersecurity initiatives with broader business goals.
• Professional Engagement: Active leadership roles in respected industry groups and professional security organizations, helping to shape the future of cybersecurity policy and practice.
• Community Impact: Ongoing involvement in security-related volunteer efforts, public advocacy, and initiatives that strengthen the broader cyber ecosystem.
• Talent Development: A proven commitment to mentoring, educating, and developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, including cross-functional training and workforce pipeline programs.

“This recognition means a great deal to me,” said James. “It not only reflects the strength of our security team and the culture we’ve built at Liberty Dental Plan, but it’s also an acknowledgment of the value we place on mentorship, community engagement, and developing the next generation of cyber leaders.”

Winners were announced at CISOs Connect™ Nashville on June 30th, where cybersecurity leaders from across the country gathered to celebrate innovation, resilience, and excellence in the field.

For Liberty Dental Plan, this award reinforces its commitment to security leadership, industry collaboration, and continuous improvement in protecting member data and critical infrastructure.

For more information about the A100 Awards, visit www.cisosconnect.com.

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