Fort Worth – BNSF Railway announced that its chief information security officer, Alex Levy, has been selected as the inaugural TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year. The award, created jointly by TIME and data‑protection firm Commvault, recognized more than 200 nominees for exemplifying the next generation of security leadership: business‑oriented, AI‑ready, cross‑functional and relentlessly focused on resilience.
Why Levy stood out
Levy’s work centers on what Commvault calls “Resilience Operations” (ResOps), a framework that unites cybersecurity, technology risk, business continuity and rapid recovery at enterprise AI speed. By continuously testing readiness and fostering shared accountability across teams, he has helped shift the CISO role from a pure technical function to an enterprise‑wide resilience leader.
“It is an honor to be named TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year,” Levy said. “BNSF plays a vital role in powering the U.S. economy and strengthening the supply chains that communities and businesses depend on every day. As a critical infrastructure provider, protecting our systems and data is essential to both economic resilience and national security. This recognition reflects the outstanding work of our team, whose expertise and commitment keep our railroad, our customers, and the nation’s supply chains moving safely, securely, and reliably.”
Industry praise
Bill O’Connell, chief security officer at Commvault, noted that today’s CISOs must balance rapid AI adoption with a surge in sophisticated, AI‑driven threats. “This recognition is a testament to Alex’s vision for an active, unified approach that enables BNSF to protect and recover at machine speed,” O’Connell said.
Mark Howard, chief operating officer of TIME, added, “We are proud to partner with Commvault on the CISO of the Year program, which highlights the growing importance of security leadership in the enterprise. We congratulate Alex and all of the finalists and nominees.”
Local impact
Levy leads a team of cybersecurity, AI and software engineers through BNSF | Tech, a division based in Fort Worth that aims to make the Class I railroad the preeminent freight and mobility company in North America. Their work supports the safe transport of consumer goods, agricultural products, energy commodities and industrial materials that fuel Texas households and businesses every day.
By strengthening BNSF’s digital defenses, the team helps safeguard jobs, keep freight costs stable and protect the supply chain that underpins the regional economy. The award underscores Fort Worth’s role as a hub for high‑tech talent and critical‑infrastructure innovation.
What the award means for the industry
The TIME + Commvault CISO of the Year program, launched in March 2026, evaluates nominees on five criteria: business outcomes over technical defense, teamwork over silos, proof over promises, readiness over perfection, and confidence over fear. These standards reflect a broader shift in the cybersecurity field toward measurable resilience rather than abstract security postures.
Levy’s recognition signals that enterprises that prioritize operational readiness, cross‑department collaboration and AI‑enabled response are setting the benchmark for the next wave of security leadership.
Looking ahead
At the inaugural CISO of the Year Summit in Miami, finalists discussed how AI is reshaping threat landscapes and response tools. While AI introduces new challenges, the consensus was that disciplined fundamentals, clear priorities and tested recovery plans remain the foundation of effective security.
For Fort Worth and the wider Texas business community, Levy’s achievement highlights the importance of investing in advanced cybersecurity talent and technology to protect the state’s vital infrastructure and maintain economic strength.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
