In my opinion, the role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) requires a considerable amount of skill and holds a ton of responsibility. It appears that in certain instances, the legal system and even the company's leadership team may have inaccurately placed excessive legal liability on the CISO's shoulders, potentially misallocating the responsibility?
In this four-part series, we've journeyed together through the nuanced complexities of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role, exploring the facets of meticulous preparation and the tactical use of tools and teams to combat cybersecurity challenges. As we dig into the final leg of this series, our focus shifts to two often understated yet pivotal elements of a robust cybersecurity strategy: the power of community and the art of communication.
Huge thanks to the following guests that have joined me to share their experiences and thoughts on a Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast with me:
Kunal Anand, CTO & CISO at Imperva [Episode]
Nicole Darden Ford, Global VP & CISO at Rockwell Automation [Episode]
Patricia Muoio, Partner at SineWave Ventures [Episode]
Aric Perminter, CEO at Lynx Technology Partners [Episode]
JM Porup, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Ava Labs [Episode]
Matthew Rosenquist, CISO at Eclipz.io Inc. - Formerly Intel Corp [Episode]
I hope you enjoy this four-part series and would welcome your thoughts on this subject as well.
The significance of community
During the numerous discussions on the Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast, there was a recurring theme amongst the CISOs that a nurturing community is indispensable in their quest to maintain a cybersecurity posture they could be proud of—and defend. In the challenging role of a CISO, having strong allies inside and outside of the company is crucial for success.
And, with the cybersecurity landscape exhibiting a relentless dynamism, novel threats appear daily. Staying apace with this constant flux can become a Herculean task, even for the most well-equipped and prepared CISOs.
Within the nurturing confines of a community, however, this formidable load can be discussed, dissected, and perhaps even distributed. The community facilitates a platform for—or at least a forum for—sharing crucial threat intelligence, exchanging tested strategies, and learning valuable lessons from triumphs to missteps and everything in between. This collective wisdom becomes a lighthouse guiding each CISO through the tumultuous seas of cyber threats and the scrutiny under which they constantly feel from their executive leadership team and others throughout the organization that are impacted by their team’s efforts.
Furthermore, the sense of camaraderie within these communities serves as a balm for the stresses associated with the role. Indeed, as the saying goes, "A problem shared is a problem halved."
The power of communication
Another recurring insight from my podcast conversations was communication's indispensable role in a CISO's toolkit. The responsibilities encased within a CISO's role extend beyond the technical realm of managing security products, services, and other countermeasures into the nuanced arena of communicating complex cybersecurity issues to stakeholders in an easily digestible and impactful manner.
Crisp communication about looming threats, implemented strategies, and cybersecurity victories can sow the seeds of a security-conscious culture within an organization. It nurtures a vigilant workforce, promotes a comprehensive understanding of the stakes, and encourages proactive engagement in the organization's security endeavors.
While the topic of communication is often discussed during the podcast, it’s important to note the continuous points made by many I’ve spoken with that suggest CISOs need to be much better at communicating with their peers and their executive leadership team. There are so many aspects to the role—technology, operations, teams, risk, response, audits, insurance, and so much more—that it’s easy to miss the mark on what the whole point it… to protect the business, and to therefore, communicate the program in the context of the business. As an adjunct professor helping students understand the role of security analytics in the business, this is definitely a topic I will continue to explore and discuss for years to come.
Navigating the legal landscape
The question, “Can CISOs evade legal entanglements?" garners a resounding yes (as long as you add “as long as”).
One crucial pillar supporting this evasion is transparency—and, as noted earlier, communication.
Several of my esteemed guests emphasized that CISOs must keep all relevant stakeholders abreast of potential risks and the mitigation steps taken to counteract them. This fosters a bedrock of trust and ensures a united front in case of a breach or other impactful incident.
Understanding the legal implications of data breaches, being aware of international and local regulations, and working closely with the legal team can help CISOs avoid potential pitfalls.
As one might imagine, however, this is in no way proper legal advice. I am not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice. If there’s any inkling that there may be some legal exposure in the role, it’s probably prudent to seek legal advice to ensure all actions and communications are handled in a way that protects you in that role (and maybe even beyond).
That’s a wrap—now keep Going
As we reach the terminus of our exploration of the CISO role, we present you with the pivotal question once again:
“Is the role of a CISO, with its inherent legal complexities and potential pitfalls, worth the pressure?”
There isn't a uniform answer to this, of course, as it hinges heavily on the individual's professional inclinations, personal attributes, and the organization in which these two things come together. CISOs can markedly diminish their stress levels and manage their legal responsibilities with increased finesse by judiciously leveraging:
Meticulous preparation (“be prepared”)
The apt use of various tools (without over-tooling)
Well-equipped teams (it’s impossible to over-train)
A supportive community (the more the merrier)
Effective communication (with clarity and regularity)
Undoubtedly, the role is fraught with risks and intense pressure, but it also offers a unique opportunity to helm the frontlines of an ever-evolving, critically significant field.
During my chat with Nicole, she noted how excited she is about the visibility of cybersecurity, the intersection of business and cybersecurity, and the ongoing evolution of the CISO role. She expressed optimism about the future of the cybersecurity community despite ongoing challenges from threat actors. I completely agree with these sentiments.
To all aspiring and current CISOs, the journey might be fraught with trials. Still, with the right approach, unwavering resilience, and the power of a united community, it can indeed morph into a rewarding odyssey.
Now … given this series, let’s have another discussion with the community to get their thoughts. Stay tuned for post 4 of 4 after we record the next episode.
This blog post represents the results of an interactive collaboration between Human Cognition and Artificial Intelligence.
Sincerely, Sean Martin and TAPE3
