An executive cybersecurity advisory practice.
Antares Security operates as an embedded security leadership function for organizations without an internal CISO — and as an executive advisory partner where one already exists.
We sit on the customer's side of the table. Engagements are structured around decision rights, control architecture, and operational governance — the work permanent security leadership would own.
Independent
No tools to resell, no platform to renew. Recommendations are made on what the business actually requires.
Senior
Engagements are led directly by a senior principal — no layered staffing or junior pass-through.
Accountable
Work is structured around documented ownership, defensible decisions, and reportable outcomes.
Direct
Plain conversations with executives, boards, and audit committees. No theater. No fear-based positioning.
The depth of engagement the firm is built to support.
Engagements are sized for the program's actual horizon — audit cycles, board cadence, and the multi-year arc of a maturing security function.
Ongoing executive advisory retainers, multi-quarter compliance program builds, and standing operational governance.
Embedded with the leadership team — standing executive cadence, audit-committee touchpoints, vendor and counsel coordination.
SOC 2, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, HIPAA, CMMC — scoped, designed for operation, and represented in audit.
Standby IR leadership available on retainer; senior coordination across counsel, insurers, and external responders.
Branden Rowe
Founder & Managing Director, Antares Security
Branden Rowe is the Founder and Managing Director of Antares Security, a cybersecurity advisory practice focused on governance, operational security, risk management, and executive-level security leadership for organizations navigating growth, compliance pressure, and operational complexity. He holds a degree in Information Assurance and Security Engineering from DePaul University and operates the practice from Chicago, Illinois.
His career spans security, risk, and governance leadership across regulated and enterprise environments — including financial services work at Northern Trust focused on operational risk, third-party risk, and enterprise risk governance; advisory and assurance engagements at Baker Tilly; and information and operational security roles at Wolters Kluwer.
He has also supported security program development across complex operational environments, including enterprise security initiatives at Cushman & Wakefield, public sector program work with the City of Chicago in collaboration with Unisys, and regulated healthcare and research environments through University of Chicago Medicine and Biosciences.
Additional experience includes federal compliance–aligned security work through Easterseals under a VA-funded grant program, as well as security operations and program development at Verisys, where his role evolved into Head of Security / CISO-level responsibility following his tenure.
This experience shapes Antares Security's emphasis on practical governance, operational maturity, audit readiness, and executive decision-making around cybersecurity risk.
- Practice area
- Cybersecurity advisory
- Practice area
- Risk & assessment
- Practice area
- Compliance & governance
See how the practice would approach your situation.
A 30–45 minute advisory call covers operating context, current risk posture, and the decisions forcing the work. If a fit exists, we propose scope.