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A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is an outsourced cybersecurity expert responsible for managing and overseeing an organization’s information security program. Unlike a traditional, in-house CISO, a vCISO typically works remotely or on a part-time basis, offering their expertise to organizations that need high-level security guidance but may not have the resources to hire a full-time CISO. This role includes responsibilities like developing security policies, managing risk assessments, ensuring compliance, and responding to security incidents. Understanding this role is crucial before beginning the search for the right vCISO.
2. Assess Your Organization’s Needs
Choosing the right vCISO starts with a deep understanding of your organization’s specific cybersecurity needs. Consider factors such as your company’s size, industry, existing security framework, and specific compliance requirements. If your organization operates in a highly regulated industry (e.g., finance, healthcare), your vCISO should have expertise in the relevant compliance frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS. Additionally, assess whether you need someone to build a cybersecurity program from scratch or if your priority is to fine-tune an already established system.
3. Experience and Expertise
The experience and technical expertise of a vCISO are paramount to ensuring the success of your security program. Look for candidates with a strong background in information security management, risk assessment, and compliance. Ideally, your vCISO should have experience working in your industry and with businesses of your size. Check their credentials, such as CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional), CISM (Certified Information Security Manager), or CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor). Past experience in handling security incidents or implementing security frameworks will be valuable assets.
4. Alignment with Your Company Culture
While technical skills are important, your vCISO should also align with your organization’s culture and strategic goals. A vCISO will be part of your leadership team, so it’s essential that they can communicate effectively with executives and other departments, understand business priorities, and align security initiatives with company objectives. Look for a vCISO who is a good fit for your organization’s communication style, can work collaboratively with other leaders, and has a proactive, solution-oriented approach to addressing security challenges.
5. Scalability and Flexibility
One of the key benefits of a vCISO is the flexibility they offer. Your business may have fluctuating needs for cybersecurity expertise, whether due to growth, changes in regulations, or emerging threats. When selecting a vCISO, ensure that they offer a scalable approach to meet both your short-term and long-term goals. This may include flexibility in the number of hours they commit, their ability to provide strategic insight during a crisis, and the possibility of adjusting services as your security needs evolve over time.
6. Budget Considerations and Value
Cost is always a consideration, especially for smaller organizations, when hiring a vCISO. A traditional, full-time CISO can be a significant investment, whereas a vCISO typically offers a more affordable alternative. However, it’s important to understand that the cheapest option may not always provide the best value. Evaluate potential vCISOs not just on their price but on the value they bring to your organization. Consider the level of expertise, breadth of services, and long-term impact on your cybersecurity posture. A skilled vCISO can help you avoid costly breaches and compliance failures, making their value far exceed the initial investment.
DISC InfoSec offer free initial high level assessment – Based on your needs DISC InfoSec offer ongoing compliance management or vCISO retainer.
The contemporary Security Operations Center (SOC) is evolving with the integration of Generative AI (GenAI) and autonomous agentic AI, leading to significant transformations in security leadership. Security automation aims to reduce the time SOCs spend on alert investigation and mitigation. However, the effectiveness of these technologies still hinges on the synergy between people, processes, and technology. While AI and automation have brought notable advancements, challenges persist in their implementation.
A recent IDC White Paper titled “Voice of Security 2025” surveyed over 900 security decision-makers across the United States, Europe, and Australia. The findings reveal that 60% of security teams are small, comprising fewer than ten members. Despite their limited size, 72% reported an increased workload over the past year, yet an impressive 88% are meeting or exceeding their goals. This underscores the critical role of AI and automation in enhancing operational efficiency within constrained teams.
Security leaders exhibit strong optimism towards AI, with 98% embracing its integration. Only 5% believe AI will entirely replace their roles. Notably, nearly all leaders recognize the potential of AI and automation to bridge business silos, with 98% seeing opportunities to connect these tools across security and IT functions, and 97% across DevOps. However, apprehensions exist among security managers, the least senior respondents, with 14% concerned about AI potentially subsuming their job functions. In contrast, a mere 0.6% of executive vice presidents and senior vice presidents share this concern.
Despite the enthusiasm, several challenges impede seamless AI adoption. Approximately 33% of respondents are concerned about the time required to train teams on AI capabilities, while 27% identify compliance issues as significant obstacles. Other notable concerns include AI hallucinations (26%), secure AI adoption (25%), and slower-than-expected implementation (20%). These challenges highlight the complexities involved in integrating AI into existing security frameworks.
Tool management within security teams presents additional hurdles. While one-third of respondents express satisfaction with their current tools, many see room for improvement. Specifically, 55% of security teams manage between 20 to 49 tools, 23% handle fewer than 20, and 22% oversee 50 to 99 tools. Regardless of the number, 24% struggle with poor integration, and 35% feel their toolsets lack essential functionalities. This scenario underscores the need for cohesive and integrated tool ecosystems to enhance performance and reduce complexity.
Security leaders are keen to leverage the time saved through AI and automation for strategic initiatives. If afforded more time, 43% would focus on security policy development, 42% on training and development, and 38% on incident response planning. While 83% report a healthy work-life balance, only 72% feel they can perform their jobs without excessive stress, indicating room for improvement in workload management. This reflects the potential of AI and automation to alleviate pressure and enhance job satisfaction among security professionals.
In conclusion, the integration of AI and automation is reshaping security leadership by enhancing efficiency and bridging operational silos. However, challenges such as training, compliance, tool integration, and workload management remain. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach that combines technological innovation with human oversight, ensuring that AI serves as an enabler rather than a replacement in the cybersecurity landscape.
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior executive responsible for developing and overseeing an organization’s information security strategy, ensuring that data and technologies are adequately protected. However, not all organizations, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, have the resources to employ a full-time CISO. This is where a Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) comes into play. A vCISO provides the expertise of a traditional CISO on a flexible, often part-time basis, allowing organizations to benefit from high-level security guidance without the commitment of a full-time hire.
Engaging a vCISO offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides access to seasoned security professionals who can assess current security postures, identify vulnerabilities, and develop comprehensive strategies tailored to the organization’s specific needs. This ensures that even without an in-house expert, the organization can maintain a robust security framework.
Secondly, a vCISO can assist in regulatory compliance by ensuring that the organization’s security practices align with industry standards and legal requirements. This is crucial in avoiding potential legal issues and financial penalties associated with non-compliance.
Additionally, vCISOs offer scalability. As the organization grows or as new threats emerge, the vCISO can adjust the security strategies accordingly, ensuring that the security measures evolve in tandem with the organization’s needs.
Cost-effectiveness is another significant benefit. Hiring a full-time CISO can be expensive, whereas a vCISO provides the necessary expertise at a fraction of the cost, making it an ideal solution for organizations with limited budgets.
In summary, a vCISO delivers the strategic leadership required to protect an organization’s information assets, offering flexibility, expertise, and cost savings. By leveraging the services of a vCISO, organizations can ensure robust security postures without the need for a full-time executive, thereby balancing security needs with financial considerations.
Why Companies Turn to Virtual CISOs The need for a virtual chief information security officer (vCISO) often arises from specific scenarios, such as expanding security strategies, responding to breaches, or navigating mergers and acquisitions. Managed security service providers (MSSPs), incident response firms, venture capitalists, and cyber insurers increasingly recommend vCISOs to help businesses establish robust security practices. By providing expertise and consistency, vCISOs assist companies in developing and managing comprehensive security programs while offering a fresh, big-picture perspective.
Cost-Effective Security Leadership Hiring a full-time CISO is challenging and costly due to the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals. A vCISO offers a flexible alternative, delivering part-time leadership tailored to the company’s needs. Unlike consultants, vCISOs provide continuity and align with an agreed-upon strategy, bringing specialized knowledge in areas like operational technology or regional regulations. This approach makes vCISOs an attractive option for companies looking for expert guidance without the overhead of a full-time executive.
Strategic Security Planning A vCISO can help organizations develop long-term security strategies, particularly in response to regulatory requirements, industry standards, or competitive pressures. They offer actionable plans and ensure companies are not merely meeting the minimum requirements, such as those for cyber insurance. By addressing evolving threats and regulatory landscapes, vCISOs guide businesses in staying proactive and prepared.
Bridging Capability Gaps While vCISOs provide strategic direction, companies may also need operational support to execute these plans. In cases where internal capabilities are insufficient, vCISOs can assess and recommend managed security services to fill the gaps. This dual role—strategy and evaluation—helps businesses align their security programs with realistic goals and resources.
Specialized Expertise for Emerging Threats vCISOs are especially valuable for addressing emerging challenges, such as new technologies or shifts in the threat landscape. Their specialized expertise allows them to pinpoint and address gaps that internal teams may lack the capacity or knowledge to handle. This makes vCISOs an invaluable resource for companies seeking to strengthen their risk profiles and adapt to an ever-evolving cybersecurity environment.
The article emphasizes the importance of the MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Evaluations for security leaders in navigating the complex cybersecurity landscape. These evaluations simulate real-world threats to test how vendors’ solutions detect, respond to, and report adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). The evaluations leverage the globally recognized MITRE ATT&CK framework, which categorizes TTPs into a structured model, helping organizations assess and address security gaps effectively.
Key factors that set MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations apart include their focus on real-world conditions, transparent results, and alignment with the ATT&CK framework. Unlike traditional assessments, these evaluations emulate attack scenarios, enabling vendors to demonstrate their capabilities under realistic conditions. The transparency of the results allows organizations to evaluate performance metrics directly, helping security leaders choose solutions tailored to their unique threat environments.
The 2023 MITRE ATT&CK Evaluation highlighted notable advancements, with Cynet achieving 100% visibility and analytic coverage without configuration changes—a first in the evaluation’s history. For 2024, MITRE plans to introduce more targeted evaluations, testing vendor solutions against adaptable ransomware-as-a-service variants and North Korean state-sponsored tactics, expanding coverage to Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms.
Cybersecurity leaders are encouraged to closely monitor the upcoming results, which will offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of vendor solutions. By leveraging these findings, organizations can refine their defenses, mitigate risks, and strengthen resilience against evolving threats. The Cynet-hosted webinar provides an opportunity to understand and act on these evaluations, making them a critical resource for informed decision-making.
Amid the rush to adopt AI, leaders face significant risks if they lack an understanding of the technology’s potential cyber threats. A PwC survey revealed that 40% of global leaders are unaware of generative AI’s risks, posing potential vulnerabilities. CISOs should take a leading role in assessing, implementing, and overseeing AI, as their expertise in risk management can ensure safer integration and focus on AI’s benefits. While some advocate for a chief AI officer, security remains integral, emphasizing the CISO’s/ vCISO’S strategic role in guiding responsible AI adoption.
CISOs are crucial in managing the security and compliance of AI adoption within organizations, especially with evolving regulations. Their role involves implementing a security-first approach and risk management strategies, which includes aligning AI goals through an AI consortium, collaborating with cybersecurity teams, and creating protective guardrails.
They guide acceptable risk tolerance, manage governance, and set controls for AI use. Whether securing AI consumption or developing solutions, CISOs must stay updated on AI risks and deploy relevant resources.
A strong security foundation is essential, involving comprehensive encryption, data protection, and adherence to regulations like the EU AI Act. CISOs enable informed cross-functional collaboration, ensuring robust monitoring and swift responses to potential threats.
As AI becomes mainstream, organizations must integrate security throughout the AI lifecycle to guard against GenAI-driven cyber threats, such as social engineering and exploitation of vulnerabilities. This requires proactive measures and ongoing workforce awareness to counter these challenges effectively.
“AI will touch every business function, even in ways that have yet to be predicted. As the bridge between security efforts and business goals, CISOs serve as gatekeepers for quality control and responsible AI use across the business. They can articulate the necessary ground for security integrations that avoid missteps in AI adoption and enable businesses to unlock AI’s full potential to drive better, more informed business outcomes. “
CISOs play a pivotal role in guiding responsible AI adoption to balance innovation with security and compliance. They need to implement security-first strategies and align AI goals with organizational risk tolerance through stakeholder collaboration and robust risk management frameworks. By integrating security throughout the AI lifecycle, CISOs/vCISOs help protect critical assets, adhere to regulations, and mitigate threats posed by GenAI. Vigilance against AI-driven attacks and fostering cross-functional cooperation ensures that organizations are prepared to address emerging risks and foster safe, strategic AI use.
Need expert guidance? Book a free 30-minute consultation with a vCISO.
A virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) service or (CISOaaS) may be appropriate for a variety of scenarios, including:
Your clients, collaborators (partners) and some regulatory requirements anticipate the presence of an individual fulfilling the position of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Companies without an in-house CISO: Small and medium-sized companies may not have the budget or need for a full-time CISO. A vCISO service can provide these companies with access to a seasoned cybersecurity professional without having to hire a full-time employee.
Companies experiencing rapid growth or change: Companies that are growing quickly or undergoing significant changes, such as mergers or acquisitions, may benefit from the expertise of a vCISO to help them navigate the cybersecurity implications of these changes.
Companies with limited cybersecurity resources: Some companies may have an IT team but lack dedicated cybersecurity resources. A vCISO can help fill this gap by providing strategic guidance and oversight of the company’s cybersecurity program.
Compliance requirements: Companies in regulated industries, such as healthcare or financial services, may require a CISO to meet regulatory requirements. A vCISO can help these companies meet compliance requirements with standards (ISO 27001) and regulations (PCI, HIPAA, NIST CSF, etc.) without having to hire a full-time CISO.
Cybersecurity incident response: In the event of a cybersecurity incident, a vCISO can provide expertise and guidance to help the company respond effectively and minimize the impact of the incident.
Overall, a vCISO service can be a cost-effective way for companies to gain access to the expertise of a seasoned cybersecurity professional without having to hire a full-time employee.
Which organizations may need vCISO services:
Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs):
These businesses may not have the resources to hire a full-time CISO but still require expert guidance to manage their cybersecurity needs.
Large companies with existing security teams may use vCISO services for additional expertise, specific projects, or temporary coverage to assist in house CISO.
Industries: Finance, healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, telecommunications, etc.
Non-Profit Organizations:
These organizations often need to protect sensitive donor and beneficiary information but might lack the budget for a full-time CISO.
Examples: Charitable organizations, educational institutions, and research entities.
Government Agencies:
Small to mid-sized government entities may utilize vCISO services to bolster their cybersecurity posture and comply with regulations.
Examples: Local municipalities, state agencies, and public health departments.
Regulated Industries:
Companies in heavily regulated industries need to adhere to strict compliance standards and may require specialized cybersecurity expertise.
Industries: Healthcare (HIPAA), finance (GLBA, SOX), and retail (PCI-DSS).
Organizations Undergoing Digital Transformation:
Businesses that are adopting new technologies, moving to the cloud, or modernizing their IT infrastructure may need vCISO services to manage the associated security risks.
Examples: Companies implementing IoT, AI, or big data solutions.
Businesses Experiencing Rapid Growth:
Fast-growing companies may face evolving cybersecurity challenges and can benefit from the strategic oversight of a vCISO.
Examples: Tech startups, e-commerce platforms, and fintech companies.
Companies Preparing for Mergers and Acquisitions:
Businesses involved in M&A activities need to ensure that cybersecurity due diligence is performed and that their security posture is strong to protect sensitive data.
Examples: Investment firms, private equity groups, and merging corporations.
Organizations Recovering from a Security Incident:
Companies that have experienced a breach or other security incident may hire a vCISO to help with incident response, recovery, and the implementation of stronger security measures.
Examples: Any business recovering from ransomware attacks, data breaches, or significant cybersecurity incidents to mitigate risk to an acceptable level and improves security posture
DISC InfoSec can offer tailored cybersecurity solutions that align with the specific needs and constraints of different types of organizations.
Organizations committed to prioritizing security encounter the difficulty of locating a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) possessing the appropriate skills and knowledge. It becomes necessary for someone to take charge of the security and compliance strategy, but this requirement often surpasses the expertise possessed by operational IT/CIO.
What is CISOaaS? Chief Information Security Officer-as-a-Service (CISOaaS) provides information security leadership from an appropriate pool of expertise. CISOaaS provides security guidance to senior management and drives the organization’s information security program.
Cert-In issues new guidelines for government bodies, mandates appointment of CISO, Read more at: https://lnkd.in/dKcdHMtP
The benefits of our CISOaaS
Gain access to a diverse pool of highly experienced and specialized senior cyber security professionals.
Rapidly access valuable resources and eliminate the necessity of retaining talent.
Reduce your expenses by paying solely for the necessary support, effectively minimizing costs.
Based on CISOaaS being engaged for four days a month annually at current prices.
Based on your requirements, you can hire a vCISO 5-10 hours a week or per month.
Mitigate your risk by strengthening your cyber and information strategy through the implementation of a clearly defined roadmap, thereby enhancing your overall security posture.
Acquire valuable experience in effectively educating and presenting to board members, and non-technical senior staff across functional diverse backgrounds.
Leverage our independent perspective and established credibility to secure comprehensive cross-business support and successfully accomplish your information security objectives.
Are you Ready? DISC InfoSec offers a free consultation to evaluate your security posture and GRC requirements, providing you with an actionable plan that starts here…
Deura InfoSec Partners with Ostendio to Streamline Compliance & Security Offerings
Strategic Partnership: Ostendio and Deura InfoSec have formed a partnership to enhance compliance and risk management services for Deura InfoSec clients using Ostendio’s GRC platform.
Efficiency Gains: Deura InfoSec will leverage Ostendio’s platform to streamline compliance processes, significantly reducing the time clients spend on information security management by up to 50%.
Client Benefits: The partnership allows Deura InfoSec to overcome the challenges of fragmented security and simplify the processes and costs of delivering complex cybersecurity programs.
We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team is here to help, and we’re always looking to improve our services. You can reach us by email at info@deurainfosec.com or through our website.contact form.
We offer discounted initial assessment based on various industry standards and regulations to demonstrate our value and identify possible areas for improvement. Potentially a roadmap for the to-be state.
The term “digital trust” has gained traction in the business landscape, but many people hear “digital trust” and equate it to avoiding cybersecurity incidents.
In reality, security leaders hold a significant role in this mission, but building digital trust requires much more than a high-performing security team.
Viewed in this broader sense, digital trust is defined by ISACA as the confidence in the relationship and transactions among providers and consumers within the digital ecosystem, including the ability of people, organizations, processes, information and technology to create and maintain a trustworthy digital world.
Customers expect a reasonable degree of digital trust from every organization with a digital footprint – at least the ones with which they will be willing to do business. Although they might not consciously frame it in these terms, these fundamental elements of digital trust serve as the foundation upon which consumers base their judgments about an enterprise’s trustworthiness:
Quality: Quality must meet or exceed consumer expectations.
Availability: Consumers need to be able to access accurate information in a timely manner.
Security and privacy: Consumers need assurance that their data and information are safe and protected.
Ethics and integrity: Enterprises should live up to their promised values.
Transparency and honesty: Consumers should be informed about how their information is being used. If personal information has been compromised, consumers should know how the enterprise is addressing the current situation and preventing it from happening again.
Resiliency: Enterprises must provide assurances that they are stable and can withstand adverse circumstances while simultaneously evolving to leverage new technologies and advancements.
Although commonly associated with cybersecurity, digital trust extends far beyond that realm. It can be thought of as the invisible thread that establishes a common goal and focus among several distinct organizational roles.
Within the domain of security, one question that often arises is whether zero trust equates to digital trust. The answer is no, however, zero trust can be used as a technique to reach digital trust. It is a building block or a thread that is woven throughout the digital trust ecosystem. Digital trust allows individuals and businesses to engage online with confidence that their data and digital identity are safeguarded.
Implementing zero trust processes contributes to the protection of such information.
In the context of the modern business environment, how well companies manage customers’ data and the extent to which they can securely and responsibly implement emerging technology are key steps toward delivering digital trust.
Trust: The Core of All Interactions
Throughout human history, trust has formed the fundamental basis of nearly every human interaction we experience. This significance is particularly pronounced in our rapidly evolving, digitized world, where multiple parties frequently do not have in-person interactions to exchange the sensitive and confidential information necessary for transactional purposes.
Therefore, every interaction must reinforce that the organization cares about – and has instituted effective practices in – all areas of digital trust.
Trust is not a one-time achievement; it must be consistently earned, effectively communicated and actively reinforced. This creates a fertile environment to conduct business, which in turn fuels innovation, drives economic expansion and, ultimately, generates value for all parties engaged in the interactions. Trust becomes the bedrock upon which successful and mutually beneficial relationships are built.
Edelman, which has studied trust for 20 years, puts it this way: “Trust is the foundation that allows an organization to take responsible risk, and, if it makes mistakes, to rebound from them. For a business, especially, lasting trust is the strongest insurance against competitive disruption, the antidote to consumer indifference, and the best path to continued growth. Without trust, credibility is lost and reputation can be threatened.”
Consider any consumer-driven sector and you’ll likely recognize the significant advantage that major, well-known brands have due to the trust they have painstakingly cultivated with customers. Think about how frequently you have been willing to pay a higher price for a purchase because you trust the provider to deliver on their promises, especially when compared to various competitors with less established reputations.
This trust factor often becomes a compelling driver of consumer choices, reflecting the value of a well-earned reputation for reliability and quality.
A digitally trustworthy organization understands the importance of upholding customer trust. Digital trust must be instilled throughout the organization, and initiatives should be built with digital trust in mind. This trust accrues over time. Establishing digital trust is an ongoing process that involves the continuing efforts not only regarding the creation but the maintenance of the larger ecosystem.
“Digital trust is the logical progression on the digital transformation path”
The Business Benefits of Digital Trust
Digital trust is the logical progression on the digital transformation path – in fact, three quarters of respondents to ISACA’s State of Digital Trust 2023 research indicate that digital trust is very or extremely important to digital transformation.
As businesses undergo digital transformation, customer expectations are evolving accordingly. While IT plays a pivotal role in this transformation, the shift toward prioritizing digital trust is largely being driven by businesses to benefit businesses.
Given its paramount importance to consumers and overall brand reputation, digital trust should be a central consideration across all facets of an enterprise. According to the State of Digital Trust research, the top benefits of digital trust include a positive reputation, fewer privacy breaches, fewer cybersecurity incidents, more reliable data, stronger customer loyalty, faster innovation and higher revenues.
With a list of benefits this impactful, digital trust should command the attention of boardrooms across all industries and geographies.
Digital trust involves all of us as stakeholders – including security leaders responsible for preventing data breaches that undermine trust, IT professionals who support information and systems integrity, marketing professionals who champion and promote an organization’s brand, and third-party providers upon whom the organization is reliant.
Digital trust serves as a significant catalyst for consumers’ decisions which will ultimately manifest – for better or worse – in a company’s financial performance.
Leadership’s Responsibility in the Trust Ecosystem
Leadership plays a crucial role in establishing digital trust through a concerted, organization-wide push. As with most elements that dictate a company’s success, leadership matters.
Everyone in the organization has a role in building and maintaining digital trust, but the responsibility for setting the direction and governance needs to start with senior executives.
Organizational leaders set and communicate the culture, priorities and expectations of digital trust through policies and structures, which are disseminated throughout the organization. From a governance perspective, either the full board of directors or a board committee needs to be given responsibility for governance and oversight of digital trust.
It is critically important that a focal point is created for the management team to provide updates on the advancement of digital trust to the board, similar to the practices of cybersecurity or IT audit teams. In doing so, a connection point is established for the management team to report in on digital trust progress at the board level, much like how cybersecurity or IT audit teams operate.
A Digital Trust Executive Council is a valid option to ensure proper direction and control over digital trust efforts. This would serve as a management council that should report into the executive management team and then ultimately to the board or designated committee that oversees digital trust.
The purpose of the digital trust council is to address the needs of an organization’s digital product and service consumers through the appropriate evaluation, prioritization and direction of digital trust activities, funding and programs that ultimately contribute to a trusted relationship. Consider this council the expert review panel and point of contact on digital trust decisions, measurements, guidance and alignment with the organization’s goals and objectives.
This governance connection is critically important. If organizations merely give superficial acknowledgment to the pursuit of digital trust without a governance structure and framework that is accountable to the board, then they are deceiving themselves into believing that they are making any meaningful efforts toward establishing genuine digital trust.
This is reminiscent of the old days when many companies were convinced that they were doing a great job on security without anything in the organization having a true security focus or investment – it was really just IT personnel running the show. We have learned and evolved a great deal since then, and digital trust will have to go through a similar transformation.
The role of security leadership is also crucial in establishing digital trust as a business imperative. To be effective, today’s CISOs must demonstrate their capability to wield influence and make a meaningful impact across the business.
“I think that’s the most important trait right now, because there are many security jobs that are technical analysis or coding, but to be a CISO, you have to be business-focused and be an executive leader because you’re going to be interfacing with the board, CEOs and other executives,” wrote 2021 CISO of the Year, Brennan P. Baybeck, VP & CISO for Customer Services, Oracle.
“You can’t just be talking about compliance and security all the time. You have to be helping to drive the business and directly aligning the security strategy activities to the business strategy, with a focus on enabling business,” he added.
Digital trust serves as a significant avenue for security leaders, especially CISOs, to break away from the perception that they are solely engrossed in cybersecurity with limited perspective. CISOs can effectively achieve this by championing a cross-functional digital trust team (more on this below) and ensuring that the team is resourced and supported appropriately.
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) hold a critical and challenging role in today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Here are the common security challenges CISOs face…
As organizations increasingly rely on technology to drive their operations, CISOs face complex security challenges that demand their expertise and strategic decision-making.
These challenges arise from the constant emergence of sophisticated cyber threats, the need to protect sensitive data, and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.
The role of a CISO requires balancing proactive risk mitigation with the ability to respond swiftly to incidents and breaches.
This article will delve into the top challenges CISOs face, including protecting digital assets, managing security incidents, ensuring compliance, dealing with insider threats, and the relentless pursuit of cyber resilience.
By understanding these challenges, CISOs can develop robust cybersecurity strategies and lead their organizations toward a secure and resilient future.
Who is a CISO?
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and administering an organization’s information security plan.
A CISO’s primary responsibility is safeguarding the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of an organization’s information assets and systems.
They are accountable for creating and enforcing strategies, policies, and procedures to defend against cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and mitigate security risks.
CISOs play a crucial role in maintaining an organization’s security posture by establishing and enforcing security standards, conducting risk assessments, and implementing appropriate security controls.
They collaborate with other executives, IT teams, and stakeholders to align security initiatives with business objectives and ensure that security measures are integrated into the organization’s operations.
In addition to their technical expertise, CISOs often engage in risk management, incident response planning, security awareness training, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
They stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and technologies to address emerging risks and implement appropriate security measures effectively.
The role of a CISO has become increasingly important as cyber threats evolve in complexity and frequency.
CISOs are responsible for safeguarding the organization’s sensitive information, maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders, and ensuring business continuity in the face of cybersecurity challenges.
What are all the Roles and Responsibilities of CISO?
Developing and Implementing Information Security Strategy: The CISO is responsible for developing and implementing an overarching information security strategy aligned with the organization’s business objectives. This includes setting security goals, defining security policies and procedures, and establishing risk management frameworks.
Leading the Security Team: The CISO manages and provides leadership to the security team, including hiring, training, and supervising security personnel. They ensure the team has the necessary skills, resources, and support to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Overseeing Security Operations: The CISO oversees day-to-day security operations, including incident response, vulnerability management, threat intelligence, and security monitoring. They ensure appropriate controls, technologies, and processes are in place to protect the organization’s assets.
Risk Management: The CISO is responsible for identifying and assessing security risks to the organization’s information systems and assets. They develop and implement risk management strategies to safeguard critical data and systems, including risk mitigation, transfer, and acceptance.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: The CISO ensures that the organization complies with relevant security regulations, industry standards, and legal requirements. They stay updated on emerging regulations and ensure appropriate controls and processes are in place to meet compliance obligations.
Security Incident Response: The CISO leads the organization’s response to security incidents, including data breaches, malware attacks, and other security breaches. They establish incident response plans, coordinate efforts, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as legal, PR, and law enforcement agencies.
Security Awareness and Training: The CISO promotes a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. They develop and deliver security awareness programs and training initiatives to educate employees on security best practices and minimize human-related security risks.
Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management: The CISO assesses and manages security risks associated with third-party vendors and partners. They establish vendor security requirements, conduct due diligence, and monitor compliance with security standards and contractual obligations.
Security Governance and Reporting: The CISO provides regular reports and updates on the organization’s security posture to executive management, board members, and other relevant stakeholders. They ensure that security metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) are established to measure the effectiveness of security programs.
Incident Investigation and Forensics: In the event of security incidents, the CISO oversees the investigation and forensic analysis to identify the root cause, assess the impact, and prevent future occurrences. As required, they collaborate with internal and external resources, such as forensic experts and law enforcement agencies.
CISOs face various common security challenges as they strive to protect their organizations’ digital assets and information. Perimeter 81 Guide helps CISOsto prevent their network from being at Risk. Some of the key challenges they encounter include:
Sophisticated Cyberattacks: CISOs must defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, including advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware attacks, social engineering, and zero-day exploits. These attacks can bypass traditional security measures and require constant vigilance and adaptive security strategies.
Insider Threats: CISOs need to address the risks posed by insiders, including employees, contractors, or partners who have authorized access to systems and data. Insider threats can involve accidental data breaches, negligence, or malicious intent, requiring a balance between enabling productivity and implementing controls to prevent unauthorized access or data leakage.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: CISOs must ensure their organizations comply with industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOX, and evolving privacy laws. Navigating complex compliance requirements and maintaining a robust security posture to meet these standards can be a significant challenge.
Cloud Security: As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services and infrastructure, CISOs must address the unique security challenges associated with cloud computing. This includes securing data stored in the cloud, managing access controls, and ensuring the security of cloud service providers (CSPs) and their environments.
Security Skills Gap: CISOs often need more skilled cybersecurity professionals. The industry’s rapid growth and evolving threat landscape have resulted in high demand for cybersecurity talent, making recruiting and retaining qualified professionals challenging.
Third-Party Risk: Organizations rely on third-party vendors and suppliers, introducing potential security risks. CISOs must assess the security posture of third parties, establish contractual security obligations, and monitor their adherence to security standards to mitigate the risk of breaches through these external connections.
Security Awareness and Training: Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity incidents. CISOs must promote a strong security culture, provide regular training and awareness programs, and educate employees about cybersecurity best practices to minimize the risk of social engineering, phishing attacks, and other user-related vulnerabilities.
Incident Response and Recovery: CISOs must develop and test robust incident response plans to manage and recover from security incidents effectively. This involves identifying and containing breaches, conducting forensic investigations, and implementing remediation measures to minimize the impact and prevent future incidents.
Emerging Technologies: Adopting technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain introduces new security challenges. CISOs must understand the security implications of these technologies, assess risks, and implement appropriate controls to protect against potential vulnerabilities and attacks.
Budget and Resource Constraints: CISOs often face budget limitations and the need to prioritize security initiatives. Balancing the allocation of resources to address immediate security needs while investing in long-term security capabilities can be a significant challenge.
What are the Security Compliance CISO Should Follow
As a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), there are several security compliance frameworks and regulations that you should consider following, depending on the nature of your organization and its operations. Here are some of the key security compliance frameworks and regulations:
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): If your organization deals with the personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU), GDPR sets requirements for the protection, processing, and transfer of personal data. It includes principles for data minimization, consent, data breach notification, and the rights of individuals.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS applies to organizations that handle credit card information. It sets requirements for securing payment card data, including network security, encryption, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA applies to organizations in the healthcare industry that handle protected health information (PHI). It establishes requirements for the privacy and security of PHI, including access controls, encryption, risk assessments, and breach notification.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): SOX applies to publicly traded companies in the United States. It sets requirements for financial reporting and establishes controls and processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial statements. While not solely focused on security, it includes provisions for protecting financial data.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity risks. It covers risk assessment, security controls, incident response, and continuous monitoring.
ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is an international standard that provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It covers various aspects of information security, including risk management, access controls, incident management, and security awareness.
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): FISMA applies to U.S. federal agencies and sets requirements for securing federal information and systems. It mandates risk assessments, security controls, incident response planning, and continuous monitoring.
Security Challenges CISOs Face to Manage Security Team
Managing a security team as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) requires effective leadership, communication, and coordination. Here are some key aspects to consider when managing a security team:
Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to ensure everyone understands their specific duties and areas of expertise. This clarity helps streamline operations and avoid confusion.
Set Goals and Objectives: Define strategic goals and objectives for the security team aligned with the organization’s overall security strategy. Communicate these goals to the team and regularly track progress to ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives.
Provide Guidance and Mentorship: Offer team members guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Encourage skill development, certifications, and staying up-to-date with the latest security trends and technologies—support team members in their career growth.
Foster Collaboration and Communication: Promote a collaborative and open communication culture within the team. Encourage knowledge sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and effective communication channels. Regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and updates are valuable for aligning efforts.
Support Decision-Making: Empower team members to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. Provide guidance and support when needed, but encourage autonomy and ownership in decision-making. Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable taking calculated risks.
Establish Incident Response Procedures: Develop clear incident response procedures and ensure the team is well-prepared to handle security incidents effectively. Conduct regular drills, tabletop exercises, and simulations to test and improve the team’s incident response capabilities.
Stay Informed and Adapt: Stay up-to-date with the latest security threats, industry trends, and best practices. Encourage continuous learning and professional development for the team. Adapt security strategies and measures as the threat landscape evolves.
Collaborate with Other Departments: Work closely with other departments, such as IT, legal, HR, and executive management, to ensure security initiatives are aligned with business objectives and integrated into overall organizational operations. Build relationships and foster a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
Regularly Evaluate and Improve: Regularly evaluate the team’s performance, processes, and procedures. Collect feedback from team members and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. Implement changes and adjustments as necessary to enhance the team’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate strong leadership skills, integrity, and a commitment to security best practices. Lead by example in adhering to security policies and procedures. Encourage a positive and supportive work environment.
CISOs face many common security challenges as protectors of their organization’s digital assets and information.
From sophisticated cyberattacks and insider threats to compliance requirements and resource constraints, these challenges highlight the complex and evolving nature of the cybersecurity landscape.
CISOs must navigate these challenges by adopting a proactive and strategic approach to security, leveraging advanced technologies, fostering a strong security culture, and collaborating with stakeholders.
To overcome these challenges, CISOs must stay abreast of emerging threats, continuously evaluate and improve their security measures, and prioritize investments in critical security capabilities.
They must also foster strong partnerships with internal teams, third-party vendors, and industry peers to collectively address security challenges and share best practices.
While the security challenges CISOs face may seem daunting, they also present opportunities for innovation and growth.
By effectively addressing these challenges, CISOs can enhance their organizations’ security posture, safeguard critical assets, and instill confidence in customers and stakeholders.
Ultimately, the role of a CISO requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach to cybersecurity, where staying one step ahead of threats and continuously improving security measures are paramount.
By embracing these challenges, CISOs can help shape a secure and resilient future for their organizations in an increasingly interconnected and threat-filled digital landscape.
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is vital for safeguarding an organization’s digital assets. They oversee sensitive data security, combat cyber threats, and uphold data integrity. The CISO devises security strategies, partners with stakeholders, and addresses vulnerabilities. The Help Net Security roundup showcases insights from experts through recorded videos, highlighting the pivotal responsibilities and challenges that characterize the role of CISOs.
Complete videos
Josh Yavor, CISO at Tessian, offers a personal perspective on dealing with burnout as a CISO.
Kaus Phaltankar, CEO at Caveonix discusses how in today’s complex multi-cloud landscape, the role of CISOs is more crucial than ever.
Daniel Deeney, CEO at Paladin Cloud, discusses how companies face difficulties identifying security threats within cloud environments.
Chris Groot, General Manager of Cove Data Protection at N-able, discusses enterprise CISOs’ challenges with disaster recovery.
The frequency of cyberattacks is increasing, particularly targeting smaller businesses. However, most small and mid-size companies cannot afford a full-time security professional. To address this, they are turning to vCISO (virtual Chief Information Security Officer) services offered by Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs). These services provide access to external cybersecurity experts at a lower cost than hiring an in-house CISO.
A report by Cynomi, based on a survey of 200 executives in the U.S. and Canada, shows the rising demand for vCISO services among SMBs and how MSPs and MSSPs are responding to this demand. The report reveals that 84% of those not currently offering vCISO services but plan to do so by the end of 2024. The number of providers offering these services has been consistently growing, with 8% in 2022, 28% in 2023, and a projected 45% in 2024.
MSPs and MSSPs are motivated to offer vCISO services due to anticipated increased revenue, higher margins, easy upselling of other cybersecurity services, and enhanced client engagement. Although they foresee challenges such as limited in-house security knowledge and a lack of skilled cybersecurity personnel, vCISO platforms help mitigate these concerns.
Cynomi, a leading vCISO platform provider, aims to conduct annual studies on the growing trend of the vCISO role. They have also created a directory of prominent vCISO service providers to help SMBs find trusted security partners, offering details about services and technology platforms used by each provider.
In the provided article, the author, who is a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), discusses the challenges and strategies related to maintaining technical expertise while effectively communicating complex cybersecurity issues to stakeholders in a comprehensible manner.
The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the intricacies of technology in order to secure it effectively. This philosophy has driven the author to stay up-to-date with technology trends, collaborate with other security experts, and maintain a deep connection with their technical teams. The author also highlights the value of using simple metaphors to explain complex concepts, leveraging their strong technical background to convey information in a way that is easier for non-technical stakeholders to grasp.
In the context of managing cyber resilience efforts across an enterprise, the author draws parallels to managing different types of risk, categorizing them as good and bad risks. Good risks are those that contribute to business growth and innovation, while bad risks are associated with lacking proper planning and security measures. Balancing these risks requires strong relationships across the organization and constant communication.
The article also discusses the impact of digital initiatives and rapid digital transformation on the CISO’s role. While digital transformation can enhance efficiency and lower risks, challenges arise when new technologies like cloud or SaaS services are introduced without a clear understanding of their security implications. Collaboration between technology vendors, cybersecurity companies, and leadership teams is essential to address these challenges.
In the face of external events that test organizational resilience, the author presents four key principles for effective leadership: communication, agility, constant learning, and adaptability. These principles help leaders navigate uncertainties, learn from experiences, and handle change more effectively.
For a newly appointed CISO tasked with explaining complex cyber regulations to the board, the author suggests researching the backgrounds and industries of board members to tailor explanations to their perspectives. Comparisons to regulations in related industries or significant news events can help the board better understand the issues and recognize the CISO’s commitment to understanding the regulatory landscape.
In summary, the article underscores the need for CISOs to balance technical expertise with effective communication, employing metaphors to simplify complex concepts, and building strong relationships to manage cyber risks across the enterprise. It also highlights the challenges and strategies associated with digital transformation, organizational resilience, and succinctly communicating complex regulations to the board.
In today’s evolving digital landscape, the role of a chief information security officer (CISO) is critical. These professionals defend against the rising tide of daily cyberthreats. Yet we’re seeing a trend: Many CISOs are leaving or considering leaving their jobs, a phenomenon coined the “Great CISO Resignation.”
This trend seems to reflect the intense pressure CISOs endure. They face a constant stream of complex cyberthreats, manage compliance issues and struggle with a talent deficit in cybersecurity. Paired with high expectations, many reconsider their roles, which can lead to a leadership gap.
However, this situation opens a strategic opportunity for innovation. As the founder and president of a company that offers virtual chief information security officer (vCISO) services, I’ve seen this model gaining momentum.
Understanding The vCISO Model
A vCISO is an outsourced security practitioner or provider who offers their expertise to businesses on a part-time or contractual basis.These professionals provide many of the same services as a traditional CISO, such as developing and implementing security strategies, ensuring compliance with regulations, training staff and managing a company’s cybersecurity posture. The key difference is that vCISOs offer these services remotely and often to multiple companies at once.
This model brings flexibility and scalability, allowing businesses to tailor cybersecurity leadership to their specific needs. It also provides access to a breadth of expertise that is often unaffordable in a full-time, in-house CISO.
Leveraging The vCISO Model Amid The CISO Exodus
With the current trend of CISOs leaving their positions, the vCISO model offers a practical solution to maintain cybersecurity leadership. Here are some ways businesses can take advantage of this model:
Plug Leadership Gaps Quickly
When a CISO departs, they leave a leadership void that’s hard to fill quickly, especially considering the shortage of cybersecurity talent. By leveraging a vCISO, businesses can plug this gap swiftly, ensuring continued oversight and direction in their cybersecurity efforts.
Access A Broader Skill Set
vCISOs, often being part of a larger team, can bring a wide range of experiences and skills. They are exposed to diverse security landscapes across industries, which can provide a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to your security challenges.
Cost Efficiency
Hiring a full-time CISO can be prohibitively expensive for some companies. vCISO services, on the other hand, can be scaled to fit budgetary constraints, giving businesses access to top-tier security leadership without as much of a hefty price tag.
Flexibility And Scalability
As your business grows and evolves, so too can your cybersecurity needs. A vCISO’s flexible engagement model means you can scale cybersecurity leadership to match your changing requirements.
Deciphering The vCISO Selection: A Strategic Perspective
Selecting the right virtual chief information security officer is pivotal to the success of your cybersecurity strategy, especially in the wake of the “Great CISO Resignation.” You’re essentially recruiting an outsourced leader who can help guide your organization’s information security infrastructure and strategy, so you need to ensure that they not only have the expertise but that they also align with your organization’s culture and values. Here are some strategic suggestions for identifying the perfect vCISO for your business:
Evaluate Their Background And Experience
Start by examining the vCISO’s professional background. This includes their level of experience in your specific industry, as well as their familiarity with the size and type of businesses like yours. Their past roles and achievements can provide valuable insight into their ability to handle the unique cybersecurity threats and risks your business may face. Don’t hesitate to ask for a detailed track record of their experience and successes.
Assess Their Expertise
Probe into their knowledge of current cybersecurity trends, their ability to create a cybersecurity strategy, their understanding of regulatory requirements that are relevant to your industry and their experience in managing security incidents. You should also ask about their experience with various cybersecurity tools and technologies. A vCISO’s expertise should encompass not only tactical but also strategic thinking and planning.
Understand Their Approach
Get a sense of their management style, communication skills and approach to problem-solving. Cybersecurity is a team effort, so the vCISO needs to effectively work with and guide your in-house team. Are they able to communicate complex security concepts in a way that everyone in your organization can understand? Can they foster a security-first culture within the company?
Determine Alignment With Business Goals
The right vCISO should understand your business strategy and align security strategies to business objectives. They should be able to strike a balance between the necessary security measures and the operational needs of your company.
We’d love to hear from you! If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Our team is here to help and we’re always looking for ways to improve our services. You can reach us by email (info@deurainfosec.com), or through our website’s contact form.
In this Help Net Security interview, Charles Brooks, Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Applied Intelligence Program and graduate Cybersecurity Programs, talks about how zero trust principles, identity access management, and managed security services are crucial for effective cybersecurity, and how implementation of new technologies like AI, machine learning, and tracking tools can enhance supply chain security.
CISOs believe they have adequate data protection measures, yet many have dealt with the loss of sensitive data over the past year. How do you reconcile this apparent contradiction?
The loss of data despite protection measures is not that surprising. We are all playing catchup in cybersecurity. The internet was invented in a government laboratory and later commercialized in the private sector. The hardware, software, and networks were originally designed for open communication. Cybersecurity initially was not a major consideration. That mindset has surely changed due to the explosion of connectivity and commerce on the internet and CISOs are playing a big game of catch up too.
There are a multitude of causes that can account for the exfiltration of sensitive data. The first being that hacker adversaries have become more sophisticated and capable of breaching. The basic tools and tactics hackers use for exploitation include malware, social engineering, phishing (the easiest most common, especially spear-phishing aimed at corporate executives), ransomware, insider threats, and DDOS attacks. Also, they often use advanced and automated hacking tools shared on the dark web, including AI and ML tools that are used to attack and explore victims’ networks. That evolving chest of hacker weaponry is not so easy for CISOs to defend against.
Another big factor is the reality is that exponential digital connectivity propelled by the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the security paradigm. Many employees now work from hybrid and remote offices. There is more attack surface area to protect with less visibility and controls in place for the CISO. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that more sensitive data has and will be exposed to hackers.
The notion of adequate protection is a misnomer as threats are constantly morphing. All it takes is one crafty phish, a misconfiguration, or a failure to do a timely patch for a gap to provide an opportunity for a breach. Finally, many CISOs have had to operate with limited budgets and qualified cyber personnel. Perhaps they have lower expectations of the level of security they can achieve under the circumstances.
As the economic downturn pressures security budgets, how can CISOs optimize their resources to manage cybersecurity risks effectively?
CISOs must enact a prudent risk management strategy according to their industry and size that they can follow to allow them to best optimize resources. A good risk management strategy will devise a vulnerability framework that Identifies digital assets and data to be protected. A risk assessment can quickly identify and prioritize cyber vulnerabilities so that you can immediately deploy solutions to protect critical assets from malicious cyber actors while immediately improving overall operational cybersecurity. This includes protecting and backing up business enterprise systems such as: financial systems, email exchange servers, HR, and procurement systems with new security tools (encryption, threat intel & detection, firewalls, etc.) and policies.
There are measures in a vulnerability framework that are not cost prohibitive. Those measures can include mandating strong passwords for employees and requiring multi-factor authentication. Firewalls can be set up and CISOs can make plans to segment their most sensitive data. Encryption software can also be affordable. The use of the cloud and hybrid clouds enables implementation of dynamic policies, faster encryption, drives down costs, and provides more transparency for access control (reducing insider threats). A good cloud provider can provide some of those security controls for a reasonable cost. Clouds are not inherently risky, but CISOs and companies will need to recognize that they must thoroughly evaluate provider policies and capabilities to protect their vital data.
And if a CISO is responsible for protecting a small or medium business without a deep IT and cybersecurity team below them, and are wary of cloud costs and management, they can also consider outside managed security services.
How can organizations better safeguard their sensitive information during high employee turnover?
This goes to the essence of the strategy of zero trust. Zero trust (ZT) is the term for an evolving set of cybersecurity paradigms that move defenses from static, network-based perimeters to focus on users, assets, and resources. Organizations need to know everything that is connected to the network, devices & people.
Identity access management or IAM, is very important. IAM the label used for the set of technologies and policies that control who accesses what resources inside a system. A CISO must determine and know who has access to what data and why. If an employee leaves, they need to immediately revoke privileges and ensure that nothing sensitive was removed from the organization. There are many good IAM tools available from vendors on the market.
Certainly, with employee turnover, there are ethical and trust elements involved. Employee insider threats are difficult to detect and manage. Some of that can be addressed upfront in employment contracts with an employee understanding of the legal parameters involved, it is less likely that they will run off with sensitive data.
We’ve seen increased CISO burnout and concerns about personal liability.
Yes, the burnout is a direct result of CISOs having too many responsibilities, too little budget, and too few workers to run operations and help mitigate growing cyber-threats. Now the personal liability factors exemplified by as the class action suit against Solar’s Wind’s CISO, and the suit against Uber’s CISO for obscuring ransomware payments, has heightened the risk. In an industry that is already lacking in required numbers of cybersecurity leaders and technicians, CISOs need to be given not only the tools, but the protections necessary for them to excel in their roles. If not, the burnout and liability issues will put more companies and organizations at greater risk.
How are these challenges impacting the overall efficacy of CISOs in their roles, and what measures can be taken to address them?
Despite the trends of greater frequency, sophistication, lethality, and liabilities associated with incursions, industry management has been mostly unprepared and slow to act at becoming more cyber secure. A Gartner survey found that 88% of Boards of Directors (BoDs) view cybersecurity as a business risk, as opposed to a technology risk, according to a new survey, and that only 12% of BoDs have a dedicated board-level cybersecurity committee.
“It’s time for executives outside of IT to take responsibility for securing the enterprise,” said Paul Proctor, Chief of Research for Risk and Security. “The influx of ransomware and supply chain attacks seen throughout 2021, many of which targeted operation- and mission-critical environments, should be a wake-up call that security is a business issue, and not just another problem for IT to solve.”
CISOs not only need a seat at the table in the C-Suite, but they also need insurance protections comparable to other executive management that limits their personal liability. There is no panacea for perfect cybersecurity. Breaches can happen to any company or person in our precarious digital landscape. It is not fair or good business to have CISO go at it alone. In a similar context, cybersecurity should no longer be viewed as a cost item for businesses or organizations. It has become an ROI that can ensure continuity of operations and protect reputation. Investment in both the company and the CISO’s compensation and portfolio of required duties need to be a priority going forward.
As supply chain risk continues to be a recurring priority, how can CISOs better manage this aspect of their cybersecurity strategies, especially under constrained budgets?
Ensuring that the supply chain is not breached including the design, manufacturing, production, distribution, installation, operation, and maintenance elements is a challenge to all companies. Cyber-attackers will always look for the weakest point of entry and mitigating third-party risk is critical for cybersecurity. Supply chain cyber-attacks can be perpetrated from nation-state adversaries, espionage operators, criminals, or hacktivists.
CISOs require visibility of all vendors in the supply chain along with set policies and monitoring. NIST, a non-regulatory agency of the US Department of Commerce has a suggested framework for supply chain security that provides sound guidelines from both government and industry.
NIST recommends:
Identify, establish, and assess cyber supply chain risk management processes and gain stakeholder agreement
Identify, prioritize, and assess suppliers and third-party supplier partners
Develop contracts with suppliers and third-party partners to address your organization’s supply chain risk management goals
Routinely assess suppliers and third-party partners using audits, test results, and other forms of evaluation
Complete testing to ensure suppliers and third-party providers are able to respond to and recover from service disruption
Other mitigation efforts can be done with the acquisition of new technologies that monitor, alert, and analyze activities in the supply chain. Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools can provide visibility and predictive analytics, and stenographic and watermark technologies can provide tracking of products and software.
Due to their distinct perspectives, board members and CISOs often have differing views on cyber attack risks. The discrepancy arises when boards need cybersecurity expertise, need help comprehending technical jargon, or when CISOs need to communicate in business language.
In this Help Net Security interview, David Christensen, CISO of PlanSource, proposes strategies to understand and acknowledge the broader organizational and strategic implications of cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance.
Board members and CISOs often do not see eye-to-eye on the risk of cyber attacks. In your opinion, what is the primary cause of this discrepancy?
A difference in perspective is a fundamental reason board members and CISO are not always aligned. Board members typically have a much broader view of the organization’s goals, strategies, and overall risk landscape, where CISOs are responsible for assessing and mitigating cybersecurity risk. These differences in perspectives lead to contrasting priorities and risk assessments. However, when board members and CISOs do not see eye-to-eye on the risk of cyber attacks, it’s often a result of the board lacking cybersecurity expertise among its members, the complexity with understanding the topic and CISOs who focus too heavily on technical language during their discussions with the board.
Communicating cyber risk to the board requires the CISO to understand the audience, translating technical jargon into business language, allowing the board to see the CISO as a strategic partner. Becoming the strategic partner also requires CISOs to view their cybersecurity investments in terms of ROI to help the board understand the importance of an investment against competing priorities and spend.
CISOs need to also understand that board members often have a shorter time horizon for decision-making, focusing on quarterly or annual performance, in contrast to CISOs being more attuned to the potential long-term impacts of cyber attacks and advocating for proactive measures. This misalignment in time horizons can contribute to disparities in risk perceptions.
How can a CISO effectively translate technical jargon into business language that board members can understand and engage with? Do you have any specific strategies or approaches in mind?
A CISO needs to understand the knowledge and background of the board members to be able to translate technical jargon into business language and something familiar with the target audience. I approach this by relating technical jargon to everyday situations or business scenarios, something the board can easily grasp.
To be effective at this style of communication, I collaborate with other business leaders outside of the technology groups to optimize business alignment. Focusing on the potential business impact of cybersecurity risk also allows a CISO to frame technical issues in terms of their consequences such as financial loss or damage to the company’s brand.
It is equally important to be concise and avoid over-embellishing cyber-risks, while still focusing on the strategic objectives you are asking the board to weigh in on. To bridge the gap between board members and CISOs to promote the mitigation of cyber-risk, it is essential that a CISO enhance communication, educate board members about cybersecurity risks and promote a collaborative approach to decision making.
Many boards still see cybersecurity as a purely technical issue. What strategies can they employ to understand and acknowledge the broader organizational and strategic implications of cybersecurity?
For boards to better understand and acknowledge the broader organizational and strategic implications of cybersecurity, there needs to be a shift in how cyber-risk is viewed and approached. Boards can start by overcoming the common CISO-board disconnect that exists, developing a direct and strategic relationship with the CISO that continues outside of board meetings. Boards should also allocate more of their time to the topic of cybersecurity and allow the CISO to communicate risk to the board beyond just a handful of quarterly slides. Cybersecurity expertise also needs to be a part of a board’s composition, by including directors with a blend of business and cyber experience.
How do you envision the proposed amendments by the SEC changing the way boards approach cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance?
When the proposed amendments by the SEC become a reality, I envision boards putting more attention on cybersecurity issues. The hope is that these changes will lead boards to dedicate more resources, time, and expertise to assessing, managing and mitigating cybersecurity risk before they are impacted by an incident.
I would then expect this to result in boards establishing or enhancing governance structures related to cybersecurity, leading to them defining clear roles and responsibilities for cybersecurity oversight, and ultimately the presence of cybersecurity expertise at the board level. These amendments are also going to encourage boards to integrate cybersecurity considerations into their overall business strategy.
In your view, what concrete steps can board members take to improve their understanding of cybersecurity-induced risks and evaluate plans to manage them effectively?
Boards members should actively educate themselves about cybersecurity, attending training, workshops and conferences on the topic that can help them stay updated on emerging threats and latest trends. Boards should also establish a dedicated cybersecurity committee made up of members with relevant expertise to help assess and oversee cybersecurity initiatives within an organization.
The board should also engage with cybersecurity experts and consultants to gain insights into the specific risks and challenges facing their organization. In addition, boards should require their organizations conduct regular risk assessments, as well as reviewing cybersecurity reports, which will provide an overview of the organization’s cybersecurity posture.
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) hold a critical and challenging role in today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Here are the common security challenges CISOs face.
As organizations increasingly rely on technology to drive their operations, CISOs face complex security challenges that demand their expertise and strategic decision-making.
These challenges arise from the constant emergence of sophisticated cyber threats, the need to protect sensitive data, and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.
The role of a CISO requires balancing proactive risk mitigation with the ability to respond swiftly to incidents and breaches.
This article will delve into the top challenges CISOs face, including protecting digital assets, managing security incidents, ensuring compliance, dealing with insider threats, and the relentless pursuit of cyber resilience.
By understanding these challenges, CISOs can develop robust cybersecurity strategies and lead their organizations toward a secure and resilient future.
Who is a CISO?
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and administering an organization’s information security plan.
A CISO’s primary responsibility is safeguarding the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of an organization’s information assets and systems.
They are accountable for creating and enforcing strategies, policies, and procedures to defend against cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and mitigate security risks.
CISOs play a crucial role in maintaining an organization’s security posture by establishing and enforcing security standards, conducting risk assessments, and implementing appropriate security controls.
They collaborate with other executives, IT teams, and stakeholders to align security initiatives with business objectives and ensure that security measures are integrated into the organization’s operations.
In addition to their technical expertise, CISOs often engage in risk management, incident response planning, security awareness training, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
They stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and technologies to address emerging risks and implement appropriate security measures effectively.
The role of a CISO has become increasingly important as cyber threats evolve in complexity and frequency.
CISOs are responsible for safeguarding the organization’s sensitive information, maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders, and ensuring business continuity in the face of cybersecurity challenges.
What are all the Roles and Responsibilities of CISO?
Developing and Implementing Information Security Strategy: The CISO is responsible for developing and implementing an overarching information security strategy aligned with the organization’s business objectives. This includes setting security goals, defining security policies and procedures, and establishing risk management frameworks.
Leading the Security Team: The CISO manages and provides leadership to the security team, including hiring, training, and supervising security personnel. They ensure the team has the necessary skills, resources, and support to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Overseeing Security Operations: The CISO oversees day-to-day security operations, including incident response, vulnerability management, threat intelligence, and security monitoring. They ensure appropriate controls, technologies, and processes are in place to protect the organization’s assets.
Risk Management: The CISO is responsible for identifying and assessing security risks to the organization’s information systems and assets. They develop and implement risk management strategies to safeguard critical data and systems, including risk mitigation, transfer, and acceptance.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: The CISO ensures that the organization complies with relevant security regulations, industry standards, and legal requirements. They stay updated on emerging regulations and ensure appropriate controls and processes are in place to meet compliance obligations.
Security Incident Response: The CISO leads the organization’s response to security incidents, including data breaches, malware attacks, and other security breaches. They establish incident response plans, coordinate efforts, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as legal, PR, and law enforcement agencies.
Security Awareness and Training: The CISO promotes a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. They develop and deliver security awareness programs and training initiatives to educate employees on security best practices and minimize human-related security risks.
Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management: The CISO assesses and manages security risks associated with third-party vendors and partners. They establish vendor security requirements, conduct due diligence, and monitor compliance with security standards and contractual obligations.
Security Governance and Reporting: The CISO provides regular reports and updates on the organization’s security posture to executive management, board members, and other relevant stakeholders. They ensure that security metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) are established to measure the effectiveness of security programs.
Incident Investigation and Forensics: In the event of security incidents, the CISO oversees the investigation and forensic analysis to identify the root cause, assess the impact, and prevent future occurrences. As required, they collaborate with internal and external resources, such as forensic experts and law enforcement agencies.
Security Challenges CISOs Face
CISOs face various common security challenges as they strive to protect their organizations’ digital assets and information. Perimeter 81 Guide helps CISOs to prevent their network from being at Risk. Some of the key challenges they encounter include:
Sophisticated Cyberattacks: CISOs must defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, including advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware attacks, social engineering, and zero-day exploits. These attacks can bypass traditional security measures and require constant vigilance and adaptive security strategies.
Insider Threats: CISOs need to address the risks posed by insiders, including employees, contractors, or partners who have authorized access to systems and data. Insider threats can involve accidental data breaches, negligence, or malicious intent, requiring a balance between enabling productivity and implementing controls to prevent unauthorized access or data leakage.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: CISOs must ensure their organizations comply with industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOX, and evolving privacy laws. Navigating complex compliance requirements and maintaining a robust security posture to meet these standards can be a significant challenge.
Cloud Security: As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services and infrastructure, CISOs must address the unique security challenges associated with cloud computing. This includes securing data stored in the cloud, managing access controls, and ensuring the security of cloud service providers (CSPs) and their environments.
Security Skills Gap: CISOs often need more skilled cybersecurity professionals. The industry’s rapid growth and evolving threat landscape have resulted in high demand for cybersecurity talent, making recruiting and retaining qualified professionals challenging.
Third-Party Risk: Organizations rely on third-party vendors and suppliers, introducing potential security risks. CISOs must assess the security posture of third parties, establish contractual security obligations, and monitor their adherence to security standards to mitigate the risk of breaches through these external connections.
Security Awareness and Training: Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity incidents. CISOs must promote a strong security culture, provide regular training and awareness programs, and educate employees about cybersecurity best practices to minimize the risk of social engineering, phishing attacks, and other user-related vulnerabilities.
Incident Response and Recovery: CISOs must develop and test robust incident response plans to manage and recover from security incidents effectively. This involves identifying and containing breaches, conducting forensic investigations, and implementing remediation measures to minimize the impact and prevent future incidents.
Emerging Technologies: Adopting technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain introduces new security challenges. CISOs must understand the security implications of these technologies, assess risks, and implement appropriate controls to protect against potential vulnerabilities and attacks.
Budget and Resource Constraints: CISOs often face budget limitations and the need to prioritize security initiatives. Balancing the allocation of resources to address immediate security needs while investing in long-term security capabilities can be a significant challenge.
What are the Security Compliance CISO Should Follow
As a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), there are several security compliance frameworks and regulations that you should consider following, depending on the nature of your organization and its operations. Here are some of the key security compliance frameworks and regulations:
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): If your organization deals with the personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU), GDPR sets requirements for the protection, processing, and transfer of personal data. It includes principles for data minimization, consent, data breach notification, and the rights of individuals.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS applies to organizations that handle credit card information. It sets requirements for securing payment card data, including network security, encryption, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA applies to organizations in the healthcare industry that handle protected health information (PHI). It establishes requirements for the privacy and security of PHI, including access controls, encryption, risk assessments, and breach notification.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): SOX applies to publicly traded companies in the United States. It sets requirements for financial reporting and establishes controls and processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial statements. While not solely focused on security, it includes provisions for protecting financial data.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity risks. It covers risk assessment, security controls, incident response, and continuous monitoring.
ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is an international standard that provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It covers various aspects of information security, including risk management, access controls, incident management, and security awareness.
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): FISMA applies to U.S. federal agencies and sets requirements for securing federal information and systems. It mandates risk assessments, security controls, incident response planning, and continuous monitoring.
Security Challenges CISOs Face to Manage Security Team
Managing a security team as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) requires effective leadership, communication, and coordination. Here are some key aspects to consider when managing a security team:
Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to ensure everyone understands their specific duties and areas of expertise. This clarity helps streamline operations and avoid confusion.
Set Goals and Objectives: Define strategic goals and objectives for the security team aligned with the organization’s overall security strategy. Communicate these goals to the team and regularly track progress to ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives.
Provide Guidance and Mentorship: Offer team members guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Encourage skill development, certifications, and staying up-to-date with the latest security trends and technologies—support team members in their career growth.
Foster Collaboration and Communication: Promote a collaborative and open communication culture within the team. Encourage knowledge sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and effective communication channels. Regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and updates are valuable for aligning efforts.
Support Decision-Making: Empower team members to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. Provide guidance and support when needed, but encourage autonomy and ownership in decision-making. Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable taking calculated risks.
Establish Incident Response Procedures: Develop clear incident response procedures and ensure the team is well-prepared to handle security incidents effectively. Conduct regular drills, tabletop exercises, and simulations to test and improve the team’s incident response capabilities.
Stay Informed and Adapt: Stay up-to-date with the latest security threats, industry trends, and best practices. Encourage continuous learning and professional development for the team. Adapt security strategies and measures as the threat landscape evolves.
Collaborate with Other Departments: Work closely with other departments, such as IT, legal, HR, and executive management, to ensure security initiatives are aligned with business objectives and integrated into overall organizational operations. Build relationships and foster a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
Regularly Evaluate and Improve: Regularly evaluate the team’s performance, processes, and procedures. Collect feedback from team members and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. Implement changes and adjustments as necessary to enhance the team’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate strong leadership skills, integrity, and a commitment to security best practices. Lead by example in adhering to security policies and procedures. Encourage a positive and supportive work environment.
Final Thoughts
CISOs face many common security challenges as protectors of their organization’s digital assets and information.
From sophisticated cyberattacks and insider threats to compliance requirements and resource constraints, these challenges highlight the complex and evolving nature of the cybersecurity landscape.
CISOs must navigate these challenges by adopting a proactive and strategic approach to security, leveraging advanced technologies, fostering a strong security culture, and collaborating with stakeholders.
To overcome these challenges, CISOs must stay abreast of emerging threats, continuously evaluate and improve their security measures, and prioritize investments in critical security capabilities.
They must also foster strong partnerships with internal teams, third-party vendors, and industry peers to collectively address security challenges and share best practices.
While the security challenges CISOs face may seem daunting, they also present opportunities for innovation and growth.
By effectively addressing these challenges, CISOs can enhance their organizations’ security posture, safeguard critical assets, and instill confidence in customers and stakeholders.
Ultimately, the role of a CISO requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach to cybersecurity, where staying one step ahead of threats and continuously improving security measures are paramount.
By embracing these challenges, CISOs can help shape a secure and resilient future for their organizations in an increasingly interconnected and threat-filled digital landscape.
Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) hold a critical and challenging role in today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Here are the common security challenges CISOs face.
As organizations increasingly rely on technology to drive their operations, CISOs face complex security challenges that demand their expertise and strategic decision-making.
These challenges arise from the constant emergence of sophisticated cyber threats, the need to protect sensitive data, and the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.
The role of a CISO requires balancing proactive risk mitigation with the ability to respond swiftly to incidents and breaches.
This article will delve into the top challenges CISOs face, including protecting digital assets, managing security incidents, ensuring compliance, dealing with insider threats, and the relentless pursuit of cyber resilience.
By understanding these challenges, CISOs can develop robust cybersecurity strategies and lead their organizations toward a secure and resilient future.
Who is a CISO?
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior executive responsible for overseeing and administering an organization’s information security plan.
A CISO’s primary responsibility is safeguarding the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of an organization’s information assets and systems.
They are accountable for creating and enforcing strategies, policies, and procedures to defend against cyber threats, protect sensitive data, and mitigate security risks.
CISOs play a crucial role in maintaining an organization’s security posture by establishing and enforcing security standards, conducting risk assessments, and implementing appropriate security controls.
They collaborate with other executives, IT teams, and stakeholders to align security initiatives with business objectives and ensure that security measures are integrated into the organization’s operations.
In addition to their technical expertise, CISOs often engage in risk management, incident response planning, security awareness training, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
They stay updated on the latest cybersecurity trends, threats, and technologies to address emerging risks and implement appropriate security measures effectively.
The role of a CISO has become increasingly important as cyber threats evolve in complexity and frequency.
CISOs are responsible for safeguarding the organization’s sensitive information, maintaining the trust of customers and stakeholders, and ensuring business continuity in the face of cybersecurity challenges.
What are all the Roles and Responsibilities of CISO?
Developing and Implementing Information Security Strategy: The CISO is responsible for developing and implementing an overarching information security strategy aligned with the organization’s business objectives. This includes setting security goals, defining security policies and procedures, and establishing risk management frameworks.
Leading the Security Team: The CISO manages and provides leadership to the security team, including hiring, training, and supervising security personnel. They ensure the team has the necessary skills, resources, and support to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Overseeing Security Operations: The CISO oversees day-to-day security operations, including incident response, vulnerability management, threat intelligence, and security monitoring. They ensure appropriate controls, technologies, and processes are in place to protect the organization’s assets.
Risk Management: The CISO is responsible for identifying and assessing security risks to the organization’s information systems and assets. They develop and implement risk management strategies to safeguard critical data and systems, including risk mitigation, transfer, and acceptance.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: The CISO ensures that the organization complies with relevant security regulations, industry standards, and legal requirements. They stay updated on emerging regulations and ensure appropriate controls and processes are in place to meet compliance obligations.
Security Incident Response: The CISO leads the organization’s response to security incidents, including data breaches, malware attacks, and other security breaches. They establish incident response plans, coordinate efforts, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders, such as legal, PR, and law enforcement agencies.
Security Awareness and Training: The CISO promotes a culture of security awareness throughout the organization. They develop and deliver security awareness programs and training initiatives to educate employees on security best practices and minimize human-related security risks.
Vendor and Third-Party Risk Management: The CISO assesses and manages security risks associated with third-party vendors and partners. They establish vendor security requirements, conduct due diligence, and monitor compliance with security standards and contractual obligations.
Security Governance and Reporting: The CISO provides regular reports and updates on the organization’s security posture to executive management, board members, and other relevant stakeholders. They ensure that security metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) are established to measure the effectiveness of security programs.
Incident Investigation and Forensics: In the event of security incidents, the CISO oversees the investigation and forensic analysis to identify the root cause, assess the impact, and prevent future occurrences. As required, they collaborate with internal and external resources, such as forensic experts and law enforcement agencies.
Security Challenges CISOs Face
CISOs face various common security challenges as they strive to protect their organizations’ digital assets and information. Perimeter 81 Guide helps CISOs to prevent their network from being at Risk. Some of the key challenges they encounter include:
Sophisticated Cyberattacks: CISOs must defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, including advanced persistent threats (APTs), ransomware attacks, social engineering, and zero-day exploits. These attacks can bypass traditional security measures and require constant vigilance and adaptive security strategies.
Insider Threats: CISOs need to address the risks posed by insiders, including employees, contractors, or partners who have authorized access to systems and data. Insider threats can involve accidental data breaches, negligence, or malicious intent, requiring a balance between enabling productivity and implementing controls to prevent unauthorized access or data leakage.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: CISOs must ensure their organizations comply with industry-specific regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or SOX, and evolving privacy laws. Navigating complex compliance requirements and maintaining a robust security posture to meet these standards can be a significant challenge.
Cloud Security: As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services and infrastructure, CISOs must address the unique security challenges associated with cloud computing. This includes securing data stored in the cloud, managing access controls, and ensuring the security of cloud service providers (CSPs) and their environments.
Security Skills Gap: CISOs often need more skilled cybersecurity professionals. The industry’s rapid growth and evolving threat landscape have resulted in high demand for cybersecurity talent, making recruiting and retaining qualified professionals challenging.
Third-Party Risk: Organizations rely on third-party vendors and suppliers, introducing potential security risks. CISOs must assess the security posture of third parties, establish contractual security obligations, and monitor their adherence to security standards to mitigate the risk of breaches through these external connections.
Security Awareness and Training: Human error remains a significant factor in cybersecurity incidents. CISOs must promote a strong security culture, provide regular training and awareness programs, and educate employees about cybersecurity best practices to minimize the risk of social engineering, phishing attacks, and other user-related vulnerabilities.
Incident Response and Recovery: CISOs must develop and test robust incident response plans to manage and recover from security incidents effectively. This involves identifying and containing breaches, conducting forensic investigations, and implementing remediation measures to minimize the impact and prevent future incidents.
Emerging Technologies: Adopting technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain introduces new security challenges. CISOs must understand the security implications of these technologies, assess risks, and implement appropriate controls to protect against potential vulnerabilities and attacks.
Budget and Resource Constraints: CISOs often face budget limitations and the need to prioritize security initiatives. Balancing the allocation of resources to address immediate security needs while investing in long-term security capabilities can be a significant challenge.
What are the Security Compliance CISO Should Follow
As a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), there are several security compliance frameworks and regulations that you should consider following, depending on the nature of your organization and its operations. Here are some of the key security compliance frameworks and regulations:
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): If your organization deals with the personal data of individuals in the European Union (EU), GDPR sets requirements for the protection, processing, and transfer of personal data. It includes principles for data minimization, consent, data breach notification, and the rights of individuals.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): PCI DSS applies to organizations that handle credit card information. It sets requirements for securing payment card data, including network security, encryption, access controls, and regular vulnerability assessments.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): HIPAA applies to organizations in the healthcare industry that handle protected health information (PHI). It establishes requirements for the privacy and security of PHI, including access controls, encryption, risk assessments, and breach notification.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): SOX applies to publicly traded companies in the United States. It sets requirements for financial reporting and establishes controls and processes to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial statements. While not solely focused on security, it includes provisions for protecting financial data.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework: The NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides guidelines and best practices for managing cybersecurity risks. It covers risk assessment, security controls, incident response, and continuous monitoring.
ISO 27001: ISO 27001 is an international standard that provides a framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It covers various aspects of information security, including risk management, access controls, incident management, and security awareness.
Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA): FISMA applies to U.S. federal agencies and sets requirements for securing federal information and systems. It mandates risk assessments, security controls, incident response planning, and continuous monitoring.
Security Challenges CISOs Face to Manage Security Team
Managing a security team as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) requires effective leadership, communication, and coordination. Here are some key aspects to consider when managing a security team:
Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of each team member to ensure everyone understands their specific duties and areas of expertise. This clarity helps streamline operations and avoid confusion.
Set Goals and Objectives: Define strategic goals and objectives for the security team aligned with the organization’s overall security strategy. Communicate these goals to the team and regularly track progress to ensure everyone is working towards the same objectives.
Provide Guidance and Mentorship: Offer team members guidance, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Encourage skill development, certifications, and staying up-to-date with the latest security trends and technologies—support team members in their career growth.
Foster Collaboration and Communication: Promote a collaborative and open communication culture within the team. Encourage knowledge sharing, cross-functional collaboration, and effective communication channels. Regular team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and updates are valuable for aligning efforts.
Support Decision-Making: Empower team members to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. Provide guidance and support when needed, but encourage autonomy and ownership in decision-making. Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable taking calculated risks.
Establish Incident Response Procedures: Develop clear incident response procedures and ensure the team is well-prepared to handle security incidents effectively. Conduct regular drills, tabletop exercises, and simulations to test and improve the team’s incident response capabilities.
Stay Informed and Adapt: Stay up-to-date with the latest security threats, industry trends, and best practices. Encourage continuous learning and professional development for the team. Adapt security strategies and measures as the threat landscape evolves.
Collaborate with Other Departments: Work closely with other departments, such as IT, legal, HR, and executive management, to ensure security initiatives are aligned with business objectives and integrated into overall organizational operations. Build relationships and foster a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.
Regularly Evaluate and Improve: Regularly evaluate the team’s performance, processes, and procedures. Collect feedback from team members and stakeholders to identify areas for improvement. Implement changes and adjustments as necessary to enhance the team’s effectiveness and efficiency.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate strong leadership skills, integrity, and a commitment to security best practices. Lead by example in adhering to security policies and procedures. Encourage a positive and supportive work environment.
Final Thoughts
CISOs face many common security challenges as protectors of their organization’s digital assets and information.
From sophisticated cyberattacks and insider threats to compliance requirements and resource constraints, these challenges highlight the complex and evolving nature of the cybersecurity landscape.
CISOs must navigate these challenges by adopting a proactive and strategic approach to security, leveraging advanced technologies, fostering a strong security culture, and collaborating with stakeholders.
To overcome these challenges, CISOs must stay abreast of emerging threats, continuously evaluate and improve their security measures, and prioritize investments in critical security capabilities.
They must also foster strong partnerships with internal teams, third-party vendors, and industry peers to collectively address security challenges and share best practices.
While the security challenges CISOs face may seem daunting, they also present opportunities for innovation and growth.
By effectively addressing these challenges, CISOs can enhance their organizations’ security posture, safeguard critical assets, and instill confidence in customers and stakeholders.
Ultimately, the role of a CISO requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach to cybersecurity, where staying one step ahead of threats and continuously improving security measures are paramount.
By embracing these challenges, CISOs can help shape a secure and resilient future for their organizations in an increasingly interconnected and threat-filled digital landscape.
The presence of each third-party application increases the potential for attacks, particularly when end users install them without proper oversight or approval. IT security teams face challenges in obtaining comprehensive knowledge about the apps connected to their corporate SaaS platforms, including their permissions and activities.
In this Help Net Security video, Matt Radolec, Senior Director, Incident Response and Cloud Operations at Varonis, offers advice for CISO-level executives to enhance the security of corporate cloud data.
