11 Best CSO Email List Providers (2026 Review) Image

Dec 07, 2025 · 12 min read

11 Best CSO Email List Providers (2026 Review)

Christian Bonnier Image

Christian Bonnier

Finding the right CSO email list provider is crucial for cybersecurity vendors and service providers. Chief Security Officers are bombarded with security pitches daily, making data accuracy and compliance absolutely critical.

Most providers promise verified contacts but deliver outdated lists that hurt your sender reputation and waste precious outreach budget.

We reviewed 11 providers to find the best CSO email list solutions for accurate, compliant cybersecurity outreach.

Ready? Let's go!

TL;DR: Best CSO Email List Providers at a Glance

ToolBest forKey advantageStarting priceRating

ListKit

Cybersecurity teams serious about CSO accuracy

Triple-Verified CSO data + intent filters

$97/mo

4.8/5 (500+ reviews)

Apollo

All-in-one CSO prospecting

Comprehensive platform with CSO targeting + sequences

Free tier available

4.7/5 (9K+ reviews)

ZoomInfo

Enterprise-scale security operations

Enterprise CSO database with intent + technographics

Contact sales

4.5/5 (12K+ reviews)

Cognism

Global, GDPR-sensitive security programs

Compliant CSO data with consent tracking

Contact sales

4.6/5 (1.1K+ reviews)

Lusha

LinkedIn-driven CSO outreach

Chrome extension for instant CSO contact reveal

$22.45/mo

4.3/5 (1.5K+ reviews)

Clearbit

Developer-led security workflows

API-first enrichment and real-time CSO append

Contact sales

4.4/5 (600+ reviews)

RocketReach

Fast CSO contact lookup

700M+ profile database with bulk search

$39/mo

4.4/5 (1K+ reviews)

Seamless

Real-time CSO discovery needs

AI-powered, real-time CSO contact search

Contact sales

4.4/5 (5.2K+ reviews)

Snov.io

Prospecting + automation for CSOs

All-in-one outreach (finder, verifier, sequences)

$29.25/mo

4.5/5 (450+ reviews)

UpLead

Accuracy-focused CSO targeting

Real-time verified CSO contacts with 95%+ accuracy

$99/mo

4.7/5 (800+ reviews)

Hunter.io

Domain-based CSO discovery

CSO email discovery via domain search + verification

$49/mo

4.4/5 (600+ reviews)

1) ListKit – The best way to get CSO emails that are Triple-Verified (including phone numbers)

listkit homepage

Rating: 4.8/5 (500+ reviews)

ListKit leads the market for cybersecurity outreach with Triple-Verified CSO contacts and real-time intent data. You can identify Chief Security Officers actively researching security solutions, compliance tools, or threat intelligence platforms.

The platform provides access to 626M+ verified business contacts, including direct phone numbers for multi-channel outreach to security executives.

Key Features:

  • Triple-Verified CSO emails and direct phone numbers with 95%+ accuracy
  • Real-time Intent Data filters to target CSOs researching cybersecurity solutions
  • Private cold email infrastructure for better deliverability when reaching security executives
  • Unlimited exports with no per-contact fees for scaling security campaigns
  • Native CRM integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and 15+ other platforms

How to find emails of CSOs in "buying mode" with ListKit (in three steps)

Intent data shows when Chief Security Officers are actively researching cybersecurity solutions. For CSO outreach, this is game-changing—you can target executives already evaluating security tools, making them far more likely to respond.

1. In ListKit's Intent Data tab, select CSO-relevant topics like "Cybersecurity," "Data Protection," "Threat Intelligence," and "Compliance Management."

cso relevant topics

2. Filter for CSO/CISO/Head of Security job titles (plus industry & company size if needed).

Filter for CSO/CISO/Head of Security job titles

3. Export Triple-Verified emails & phone numbers (95%+ accuracy) for immediate outreach. Refresh daily for a constant flow of new in-market CSOs.

confirm and redeem new in market csos

Try 50 free CSO emails, then pricing starts at $97/m

ListKit is my favorite source of leads. Their search interface is very easy to use…

“I can drill down to exactly the sorts of leads myself and my clients want to prospect for… Customer service is great, and the no-cost onboarding/training call was incredibly helpful. I use ListKit regularly to prospect and generate lead lists for my outbound sales."

Michael

Small Business Owner

What else can you do with ListKit?

Beyond CSO targeting, ListKit offers comprehensive B2B prospecting with intent data, unlimited exports, and private SMTP infrastructure for enterprise-grade deliverability.

Bailey's outbound team achieved a 30% booking rate using ListKit's Triple-Verified data to target C-suite decision-makers. They scaled to 1.25 million monthly emails while maintaining deliverability.

Try 50 Free Leads Here →

2) Apollo — Comprehensive sales platform with CSO targeting

apollo homepage

Rating: 4.7/5 (9K+ reviews)

Apollo combines B2B prospecting with sales engagement tools, making it popular among cybersecurity teams that want an all-in-one platform. With 210+ million contacts and comprehensive filtering options, Apollo offers solid CSO targeting capabilities.

Key Features:

  • 210+ million contact database with advanced filtering by security job titles and seniority levels
  • AI-powered email writing and sequence automation for cybersecurity outreach campaigns
  • Chrome extension integration for LinkedIn prospecting and real-time contact enrichment
  • Built-in dialer and call recording for multi-touch campaigns to security executives
  • Comprehensive CRM sync with Salesforce, HubSpot, and other platforms

Considerations before going with Apollo:

  • Users frequently report data accuracy issues, with some experiencing bounce rates of 20-30%.
  • The platform can feel overwhelming for simple CSO list building, and many features require higher-tier plans.

Apollo packages start with a free plan

Apollo offers a freemium model with paid upgrades for advanced features:

PlanPriceFeatures

Free

$0

50 email credits/month, 10 phone credits/month, Basic filters, Chrome extension

Starter

$49/user/mo

1,000 email credits/month, 120 phone credits/month, Email sequences, CRM sync

Professional

$79/user/mo

5,000 email credits/month, 300 phone credits/month, Advanced filters, Call recording

Organization

$119/user/mo

10,000 email credits/month, 500 phone credits/month, Team management, Advanced analytics

Tried Apollo... 1/3 emails would bounce back…

“Tried Apollo... 1/3 emails would bounce back. The triple verified emails are the most obvious feature that I like the most about ListKit."

Pablo

Small Business Owner

3) ZoomInfo — Enterprise-grade CSO database

zoominfo homepage

Rating: 4.5/5 (12K+ reviews)

ZoomInfo provides one of the largest B2B databases with extensive CSO coverage, particularly strong for enterprise teams with complex cybersecurity targeting requirements. Their platform combines contact data with intent signals and technographic information.

Key Features:

  • Massive B2B database with comprehensive CSO coverage across industries and company sizes
  • Advanced intent data integration to identify CSOs showing buying signals for security solutions
  • Technographic and firmographic filters for precise targeting based on security technology stack
  • Website visitor identification to track when target CSO companies visit your cybersecurity site
  • Enterprise-grade compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other data protection regulations

Considerations before going with ZoomInfo:

  • ZoomInfo requires significant investment with enterprise-level pricing that can reach $20-50K annually.
  • Data accuracy varies, and many users still need additional verification tools.

ZoomInfo pricing is not public

ZoomInfo requires contacting sales for custom enterprise quotes. However, third-party sources estimate contracts range from $15,000–$50,000 annually depending on features and user count.

I've used ZoomInfo Elite ($3000+) and still need to…

“I've used ZoomInfo Elite ($3000+) and still need to run contacts through NeverBounce. On the first day I got ListKit I booked a meeting within the first hour of use. It already paid for itself.”

Ravi

Small Business Owner

ZoomInfo contracts too steep? Here are 11 tools that won't break the bank.

4) Cognism — GDPR-compliant CSO data globally

cognism homepage

Rating: 4.6/5 (1.1K+ reviews)

Cognism focuses on providing compliant B2B data with strong coverage in Europe and North America. Their platform emphasizes data quality and regulatory compliance, making it suitable for cybersecurity companies with strict data governance requirements.

Key Features:

  • GDPR and CCPA compliant data with explicit consent tracking for international CSO outreach
  • Global database coverage with strong presence in North America, EMEA, and APAC regions
  • Phone number verification including mobile numbers for multi-channel CSO outreach
  • Intent data integration to identify CSOs showing buying signals for security solutions
  • Advanced filtering options by seniority, department, company size, and cybersecurity industry

Considerations before going with Cognism:

  • Cognism requires custom pricing quotes and can be expensive for smaller cybersecurity teams.
  • The platform focuses heavily on compliance, which may add complexity for simple prospecting needs.

Cognism pricing is not public

Cognism requires contacting sales for custom quotes. Based on third-party estimates, plans typically range from $6K–$25K per year, depending on data volume and features.

Considering Cognism? These 11 options might fit better.

5) Lusha — LinkedIn-focused CSO prospecting

lusha homepage

Rating: 4.3/5 (1.5K+ reviews)

Lusha specializes in LinkedIn-based prospecting with a Chrome extension that reveals CSO contact information directly on LinkedIn profiles. It's particularly useful for cybersecurity teams that do most of their research on LinkedIn.

Key Features:

  • LinkedIn Chrome extension for instant CSO contact reveal on LinkedIn profiles and company pages
  • Email and phone number enrichment with verification to ensure contact accuracy
  • Bulk enrichment capabilities for processing large lists of CSO prospects
  • CRM integration with automatic contact sync to Salesforce, HubSpot, and other platforms
  • Compliance-focused approach with GDPR and CCPA adherence for international prospecting

Considerations before going with Lusha:

  • Lusha's database is smaller than comprehensive platforms, and it's heavily dependent on LinkedIn for data sourcing.
  • Credit-based pricing can become expensive for high-volume users.

Lusha pricing starts at $22.45

Lusha offers credit-based pricing with monthly subscription tiers:

PlanPriceFeatures

Free

$0

5 credits/month, Basic Chrome extension, Email finder

Pro

$22.45/user/mo

480 credits/month, Phone numbers, CRM sync, Bulk enrichment

Premium

$52.45/user/mo

960 credits/month, Advanced filters, API access, Priority support

Custom

2,400 credits/month, Team management, Custom integrations, Dedicated support

I've been using other lead lists from Lusha and…

“I've been using other lead list software from Apollo, Lusha, Seamless, Sales Navigator, and more, including GMB scrapers. ListKit has made both the interface and finalized pulled list simple, easy to understand, non-data heavy, and ready to sell to. The customer service is quick and helpful.”

One ListKit user

Marketing & Advertising Industry

6) Clearbit — API-first CSO data enrichment

clearbit homepage

Rating: 4.4/5 (600+ reviews)

Clearbit takes an API-first approach to B2B data, making it popular among technical cybersecurity teams that want to integrate CSO data directly into their applications and workflows.

Key Features:

  • API-first architecture for seamless integration into custom applications and security marketing platforms
  • Real-time data enrichment that automatically appends CSO information to existing contact records
  • Company and person data combination providing both CSO contact details and comprehensive company intelligence
  • High data accuracy standards with multiple verification layers and regular data updates
  • Developer-friendly documentation and robust API endpoints for custom CSO prospecting workflows

Considerations before going with Clearbit:

  • Clearbit requires technical implementation and is primarily designed for developers.
  • It may not be suitable for teams wanting a simple, user-friendly interface for CSO list building.

Clearbit pricing is not public

Clearbit uses usage-based pricing that requires contacting sales. However, third-party sources suggest typical starting costs range from $2,000–$10,000 per year, depending on API usage and feature level.

Clearbit feels heavy? Try these simpler, more agile options.

7) RocketReach — Extensive CSO profile database

rocketreach homepage

Rating: 4.4/5 (1K+ reviews)

RocketReach maintains a database of 700+ million profiles across 35 million companies, offering broad coverage for CSO prospecting with both email and social media contact discovery.

Key Features:

  • 700+ million profile database with extensive CSO coverage across industries and company sizes
  • Bulk lookup capabilities for processing large lists of CSO names and companies
  • Social media integration revealing CSO profiles across LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms
  • Chrome extension for instant CSO contact discovery on websites and social profiles
  • API access for integrating CSO data into custom cybersecurity applications and workflows

Considerations before going with RocketReach:

  • Data accuracy can vary, and the platform focuses more on contact discovery than verification.
  • International coverage may be limited compared to specialized providers.

RocketReach pricing starts at $39/mo

RocketReach offers credit-based pricing with monthly subscription options:

PlanPriceFeatures

Essential

$39/mo

170 lookups/month, Email finder, Chrome extension

Pro

$99/mo

1,000 lookups/month, Phone numbers, CRM sync

Ultimate

$249/mo

5,000 lookups/month, Bulk lookup, API access

Team Plans

Custom

Volume discounts, Team management, Priority support

RocketReach isn't your only option — meet the top 11 contenders.

8) Seamless — Real-time CSO data discovery

seamless ai homepage

Rating: 4.4/5 (5.2K+ reviews)

Seamless uses artificial intelligence to discover and verify CSO contact information in real-time, positioning itself as a modern alternative to traditional static databases.

Key Features:

  • AI-powered real-time search that discovers CSO contacts as you search rather than relying on static databases
  • Chrome extension integration for finding CSO information on LinkedIn and company websites
  • Automated list building with AI-driven suggestions for similar CSO profiles
  • CRM integration with automatic contact sync and enrichment capabilities
  • Team collaboration features for sharing CSO lists and coordinating cybersecurity outreach efforts

Considerations before going with Seamless:

  • Real-time discovery can be slower than traditional database searches.
  • The AI approach may not always find comprehensive CSO information for all companies.

Seamless AI pricing starts at $147/mo

Seamless offers subscription-based pricing with different feature tiers.

We tested Seamless against 11 tools — here's what we found.

9) Snov.io — All-in-one CSO outreach platform

snov io homepage

Rating: 4.5/5 (450+ reviews)

Snov.io combines CSO contact discovery with email automation tools, making it suitable for cybersecurity teams that want both prospecting and outreach capabilities in one platform.

Key Features:

  • Email finder and verifier with CSO-specific search capabilities and accuracy validation
  • Automated email sequences for nurturing CSO prospects with personalized cybersecurity campaigns
  • LinkedIn integration for discovering CSO contacts and automating connection requests
  • Email warm-up tools to improve deliverability when reaching out to high-level security executives
  • Analytics and tracking for monitoring CSO outreach campaign performance

Considerations before going with Snov.io:

  • The platform tries to do many things, which can make it complex for users who only need CSO contact data.
  • Email automation features may require additional setup time.

Snov.io pricing starts at $29/mo

Snov.io offers freemium pricing with paid tiers for advanced features:

PlanPriceFeatures

Free

$0

50 searches/month, Email verifier, Basic templates

Starter

$29.25/mo

1,000 searches/month, Email sequences, CRM sync

Pro

$74.25/mo

5,000 searches/month, Advanced automation, A/B testing

Custom

Unlimited searches, White-label options, Priority support

See which 11 tools beat Snov on price, data, and accuracy.

10) UpLead — Real-time verified CSO contacts

uplead homepage

Rating: 4.7/5 (800+ reviews)

UpLead offers real-time email verification and over 50 search filters to help cybersecurity teams build highly targeted CSO lists with 95%+ accuracy.

Key Features:

  • 180+ million business contacts with real-time AI-assisted email verification
  • Over 50 search filters including job titles, perfect for targeting Chief Security Officers
  • Mobile direct dials and bulk lookup capabilities for comprehensive CSO outreach
  • Data enrichment that feeds CRM systems instantly to prevent data staleness
  • API for real-time data enrichment and intent signals supporting automation

Considerations before going with UpLead:

  • Pricing can be expensive for high-volume users, and the credit-based system may not suit all cybersecurity team budgets.
  • Database coverage varies by region.

UpLead offers a 7-day free trial, then starts at $99/mo

UpLead offers subscription-based pricing with monthly credits.

Before paying UpLead's high price, see 11 cheaper alternatives.

11) Hunter.io — Domain-based CSO discovery

hunter io homepage

Rating: 4.4/5 (600+ reviews)

Hunter.io specializes in domain-based email discovery, making it useful for cybersecurity teams that want to find CSO contacts at specific target companies.

Key Features:

  • Domain search functionality to find CSO emails at specific cybersecurity companies
  • Email verification with multi-layer validation to ensure deliverability
  • Chrome extension for quick CSO contact capture while browsing websites
  • AI writing assistant for crafting cybersecurity outreach emails
  • Bulk tasks and CRM integrations for scaling CSO prospecting efforts

Considerations before going with Hunter.io:

  • Limited to domain-based searches, which may miss CSOs who aren't publicly listed.
  • Database coverage is smaller than comprehensive providers.

Hunter.io offers a free plan with 50 monthly credits, pricing starts at $49/mo

PlanPriceFeatures

Free

$0

50 credits per month; basic B2B filters; connect 1 email account

Starter

$49/month

2,000 credits per month; auto-verification; AI writing assistant

Growth

$149/month

10,000 credits per month; lead enrichment; connect 10 email accounts

Scale

$299/month

25,000 credits per month; AI writing assistant; 15,000 recipients per campaign

Enterprise

Custom

Custom credits; custom email account limits; account manager

Read: 11 Hunter.io alternatives that surprised us (and might surprise you).

Key Factors for Choosing a CSO Email List Provider

Before diving into individual providers, let's establish what actually matters when targeting Chief Security Officers.

Data Accuracy & Verification

CSOs are inundated with security pitches daily. If your emails bounce or reach outdated contacts, you've lost credibility before you even start.

Providers using Triple-Verification dramatically reduce wasted effort by delivering only contacts that have been checked at multiple points. This means you're not chasing dead ends or damaging your sender reputation.

Here's what verification levels actually mean:

Verification TypeChecks IncludedEstimated Accuracy

Single-step

Basic email format validation

50–70%

Multi-step

Format + domain + mailbox checks

70–85%

ListKit's Triple-Verified

Format + domain + mailbox + engagement verification

90–95%

Compliance & Security Focus

CSOs are particularly sensitive to data privacy and compliance issues. You need a provider that's transparent about GDPR, CCPA, and cybersecurity industry regulations.

✅ Must-haves vs 🚩 Red Flags

✅ Must-Haves🚩 Red Flags

Clear GDPR/CCPA compliance documentation

Vague compliance statements

Transparent opt-out processes

No mention of data processing agreements

Regular data freshness updates

Providers that can't explain their data sources

Security-focused messaging capabilities

Outdated lists with no refresh schedule

Intent Data Availability

CSOs evaluate security solutions constantly. Intent data helps you identify executives actively researching cybersecurity tools, compliance platforms, or threat intelligence solutions.

This targeting precision can triple your response rates compared to cold outreach.

Integration & Workflow Support

Security teams often use specialized tools. The best providers offer native integrations with security-focused CRMs and marketing automation platforms.

Must-have integrations:

  • Native CRM connections (HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive)
  • Security marketing tools (Marketo, Pardot)
  • Workflow platforms (Zapier, Microsoft Power Automate)

The Verdict: Which CSO Email List Provider Should You Choose? (Our Top 3 Picks)

After reviewing multiple providers and analyzing cybersecurity team feedback, here are our top recommendations:

  • ListKit – Best overall for Triple-Verified CSO data with intent filters, unlimited exports, and transparent pricing. The combination of accuracy, intent targeting, and native CRM integrations makes it ideal for cybersecurity vendors and service providers serious about executive outreach.
  • Cognism – Best for enterprise teams requiring GDPR-compliant global CSO data. Strong compliance features and international coverage justify the higher price for regulated cybersecurity industries.
  • Apollo – Best for teams wanting an all-in-one sales platform with CSO prospecting capabilities. While data accuracy can vary, the comprehensive feature set makes it accessible for smaller cybersecurity teams.

Ready to stop wasting time on bounced emails and outdated contacts? Try ListKit's Triple-Verified COO lists today and see what accurate, intent-driven outreach can do for your pipeline.

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