It is marketing 101 to attempt to create a message that resonates at the "C-Level". Therefore, it is uncommon for me not to hear a vendor suggest that they are targeting c-level audiences. Meanwhile, back in reality, newer and newer products are focusing on more and more granular features (web application firewalls and spyware are good examples of these). This divergence between a perceived need to "message high" while "going granular" creates great confusion in the security space.

It is time to get realistic about the security space and sell to those folks who value you most – the subject matter expert. Good luck.