Vinicio Chaves Alvarado is a cybersecurity and digital transformation executive with over 20 years of experience leading strategies that protect organizations, people, and nations across Latin America. From his early days at Deloitte and BAC Credomatic to his current role as CISO of Cooperativa Dos Pinos, he has built a career driven by purpose: to enable digital trust as a catalyst for progress. Founder of the Virtual CISO platform (VRCISO), Vinicio is recognized as a thought leader, mentor, and advocate for elevating cybersecurity maturity and resilience across the region.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with CIO Magazine, Vinicio shared insights into his journey as a cybersecurity leader, emphasizing the importance of purpose-driven leadership and digital trust. He highlighted his passion for elevating cybersecurity maturity across Latin America and empowering organizations through education and collaboration. Vinicio also discussed emerging trends, the evolving role of the CISO, and common misconceptions about cybersecurity, stressing that it’s a business and cultural issue rather than just an IT problem. The following excerpts are taken from the interview.
Hi Vinicio. Can you walk us through your career journey and how you became a cybersecurity leader?
The beginning of my career is a story in itself. I come from a humble family in the countryside of Costa Rica, where I had the privilege of learning from two great mentors — my father, who taught me the passion of doing things with love and commitment, and my grandfather, who showed me the power of education and lifelong learning.
I moved to the capital to pursue my professional dreams and began my career at Deloitte as a consultant. After two years filled with valuable lessons, I joined BAC Credomatic, the largest financial institution in Latin America. There, I was given the opportunity to truly develop in the field of cybersecurity. I led multidisciplinary teams and worked hand in hand with executives to build the cybersecurity strategy for a financial group that moves nearly 50% of the region’s GDP.
During that time, I earned international certifications and became one of the organization’s cybersecurity leaders. But more importantly, I discovered my purpose — to build trust in the technologies that empower companies, people, and nations. I realized that cybersecurity can have a real, positive impact on society.
Later, I was offered the opportunity to join Cooperativa Dos Pinos, one of the most iconic organizations in Central America. Shortly after joining, I was appointed CISO, leading efforts to transform the cooperative’s cybersecurity culture and resilience.
My journey has been full of challenges and opportunities, but passion and purpose — combined with the incredible professionals I’ve worked with — have shaped who I am today. I continue to evolve every day, driven by a clear vision: to raise the level of cyber resilience across Latin America.
What do you love the most about your current role?
What I value most is the purpose behind the work — protecting people, operations, and reputations. Every day I have the opportunity to connect cybersecurity strategy with business growth, to inspire teams, and to turn complex risks into opportunities for innovation and trust.
What are some emerging trends or technologies that you’re most interested in?
I’m particularly interested in the convergence of AI-driven threat detection, identity and access governance, and operational technology (OT) security. I also see AI copilots and autonomous security agents transforming how CISOs make decisions and respond to threats. Another key trend is cyber resilience by design — embedding security, privacy, and reliability from the start of every digital initiative.
How do you see the role of the CISO evolving in the next few years?
The CISO role is rapidly evolving from a technical guardian to a strategic business leader. In the near future, CISOs will sit at the intersection of technology, risk, and culture, responsible not only for defense but for enabling trust, resilience, and innovation across the enterprise.
For me, the true mission of a CISO goes beyond managing threats — it’s about empowering confidence in the digital ecosystems that connect people, organizations, and societies. The technical expertise we’ve built will always remain a foundation, but the essence of our role is shifting toward being trust enablers — executives who help businesses move forward securely and confidently.
To succeed in this new era, CISOs must combine technical depth with strong communication, business acumen, and the ability to influence at the board level. Ultimately, the future CISO is not just a protector — but a builder of digital trust and strategic value.
What are some common misconceptions about cybersecurity that you’d like to dispel?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that cybersecurity is just an IT problem. It’s not — it’s a business and cultural issue. Another misconception is that cybersecurity is about fear or control. In reality, it’s about confidence, preparedness, and collaboration. A strong security culture empowers people rather than restricts them.
There’s also a common belief that we implement controls and policies simply because they are best practices or regulatory requirements. The truth is, we do it with a clear purpose — to enable digital trust. Every control, every policy, every process exists to allow businesses to operate securely, to foster safe commercial exchanges, and to ensure that even the woman who entrusts her life savings to a financial institution can do so with confidence.
It’s not about controls for the sake of compliance; it’s about creating the foundation for digital trust — the invisible yet powerful element that drives economies, protects people, and enables progress.
Is there a particular person you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are?
There are many people I’m deeply grateful for, but if I had to name the two most important mentors in my life, it would be my father, Norman Chaves, and my grandfather, Gerardo Alvarado. They are the people to whom I owe everything.
My father taught me the value of honest, hard work, of putting love and passion into everything I do. My grandfather taught me the power of education, continuous improvement, and humility — virtues that have guided me throughout my entire journey. Both instilled in me the belief that no matter how far we go, what truly matters is remembering that we are here to serve others and make life better for people, communities, and nations.
I also carry deep gratitude for the leaders who believed in me — first at Deloitte, and especially at BAC, where I was given the opportunity to grow, lead, and learn. And today, at Cooperativa Dos Pinos, I’m equally grateful to work alongside visionary leaders who have allowed me to rethink how we build a cybersecurity and cyber-resilience culture for the future.
Their trust and guidance have shaped not just my career, but who I am as a leader — someone who leads with purpose, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility to serve.
Can you share a book or resource that inspires you and why?
This is a difficult question because I truly love reading and learning. It wasn’t something that came naturally to me — it’s a discipline I developed over time. But one book that has deeply resonated with me and shaped who I am is “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek.
Every time I revisit it — because this is not a one-time read — I’m reminded of the power of understanding why we do what we do. That “why” gives meaning to our work, shapes the culture of organizations, and even influences societies. It reminds me that when purpose is clear and authentic, the “how” and the “what” naturally follow.
This book continues to inspire me as a leader because it perfectly aligns with my philosophy: purpose is not just a personal belief — it’s the foundation for building trust, resilience, and long-term impact in everything we do.
What are some of your passions outside of work? What do you like to do in your time off?
I have several passions outside of the office, and each of them keeps me grounded and connected to who I am. One of them is running — something I don’t do as often as I used to, but it remains a personal refuge for me. Running has always been more than exercise; it’s a form of meditation and a way to confront that inner voice we all carry — the one that sometimes whispers laziness, shortcuts, or self-doubt.
When I run, I meet that voice face to face. I listen to it, I understand it — but then I ask it to take the back seat, where it belongs, and I keep moving forward. Every run becomes a dialogue between who I am and who I aspire to be — an opportunity to realign with my purpose, vision, and values.
Another passion that has become central in my life is mentorship and leadership. It’s something I never expected to love as much as I do. I find deep fulfillment in helping others grow, unlock their potential, and, most importantly, question their own “why” — why they’re here, what they have to offer, and how they can serve. Having the privilege to plant small seeds that may transform lives, even in subtle ways, fills me with an immense sense of gratitude and humility.
What is your biggest goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
My biggest goal is to elevate cybersecurity maturity across Latin America, empowering organizations through education, technology, and collaboration. I believe that cybersecurity can and should be a force for progress — enabling trust, protecting innovation, and fostering sustainable growth across our region.
In five years, I see myself expanding the reach of our Virtual CISO platform globally, helping organizations of all sizes build resilience while influencing policy, thought leadership, and digital trust standards at a broader scale.
At the same time, I envision continuing my journey of mentorship and purpose-driven leadership — touching lives, helping others discover their potential, and inspiring future leaders to see cybersecurity not only as a profession, but as a calling to serve, protect, and transform society.
What advice would you give to organizations looking to build a strong cybersecurity culture?
Start with leadership and purpose. Cybersecurity culture doesn’t grow from policies — it grows from example. Make it part of the organization’s DNA: communicate with clarity, recognize positive behaviors, and link security to people’s everyday roles. When employees understand why cybersecurity matters, trust becomes the most powerful control.