Clean Harbors CISO Richard Walzer Receives Prestigious 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Award for Leadership in Cybersecurity
Clean Harbors proudly announced that Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Richard Walzer has been honored with the 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Award, a prestigious recognition celebrating outstanding leadership in information security. Walzer earned the award in the Large Enterprise category, which spotlights top cybersecurity executives from organizations with more than $3 billion in annual revenue.
Presented by the ORBIE Awards, this accolade recognizes CISOs who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and community engagement while effectively safeguarding their organizations. Walzer was selected for his ability to lead with a balance of technical acumen, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to fostering a strong security culture across Clean Harbors.
“During his four-year tenure, Rich has successfully led our Cybersecurity department, always demonstrating a great balance of leadership, technical proficiency, and business instincts,” said Clean Harbors Chief Information Officer Sharon Gabriel, who nominated Walzer for the award. “Under Rich’s exceptional leadership, I believe the company is now not just supported by a world-class cybersecurity organization but driven by it.”
Walzer’s leadership has had a transformative impact on Clean Harbors’ cybersecurity strategy, supporting a workforce of 25,000 employees across more than 870 operating locations. His responsibilities span cybersecurity education, engineering, and operations, and he has been instrumental in driving key initiatives such as expanding the global cybersecurity team and enhancing organizational security awareness through innovative internal outreach, including virtual office hours and training sessions.
One of Walzer’s defining strengths is his empathetic and people-centered leadership style. He has championed a security culture rooted in mutual respect, proactive communication, and partnership. “The cybersecurity team has embraced the security culture I am trying to make,” said Walzer. “We’re trying to make Clean Harbors a place where, when people make mistakes, we can try to understand them and put ourselves in their shoes so we can collectively learn how to avoid similar mistakes in the future.”
Beyond his corporate role, Walzer is also deeply committed to giving back to the community. He actively volunteers with local cybersecurity mentorship and scholarship initiatives, helping to cultivate the next generation of cyber professionals.
Walzer sees his role as more than just protecting systems—it’s about safeguarding people. “This company has a great mission, and it’s personally rewarding to work here,” he said. “Keeping this place up and running and healthy is what the job is. There are 25,000 employees, which means there are 25,000 families that we want to keep safe and secure.”
The 2025 BostonCISO ORBIE Awards ceremony took place on June 5 at the Westin Seaport District Hotel in Boston. Walzer was among seven winners recognized across various categories based on their organization’s size and industry. His recognition in the Large Enterprise category is a testament to the critical role cybersecurity plays in protecting not just digital infrastructure, but the people and values behind it.
Walzer was quick to share the honor with his colleagues across IT, legal, finance, and other departments, emphasizing that the award reflects a team effort. “My success wouldn’t be possible without the continued collaboration across departments,” he said. “It’s our job to protect and educate our colleagues on how to stay safe online—and it’s everyone’s job to remain vigilant.”
As Clean Harbors continues to grow, Walzer’s leadership ensures that cybersecurity remains a foundational pillar of the company’s mission to protect human health and the environment.