Why do you need a CISO in the Boardroom?

Many companies are beginning to realize the significant role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in business decisions, especially with the increase in network security mishaps. Besides dealing with daily threats, organizations are struggling to meet the ever-changing security regulations. However, for CISOs to perform at their top level, they must be equipped not only with the technical expertise and leadership skills. Still, they must understand every section of a company’s security model from a business perspective.

While this is something that can easily be explained, the skills needed for this role can only be attained through years of experience and a recommended training designed specifically for chief information security officers.

Who is a CISO? What is the role of a CISO?

A CISO is an executive in charge of Business Information Security, specializing in the management of technical security issues. The primary role of CISO is to oversee and ensure that the business unit of an organization recognizes that information security is an integral part of every business. Also, the executive helps in implementing and translating security policies and procedures. Other roles of CISOs includes:

◉ Analyzes immediate threats in real-time and triages when an organization is under attack.

◉ Prevents fraud by ensuring that no internal staff steals or misuse a company’s data.

◉ Ensures that all staff knows more about the governance risk and compliance, providing investigation and forensics.

◉ Evaluates and ensures that only authorized people get access to classified information.

What are the duties and responsibilities of CISO?

The following are the general duties and job responsibilities of a CISO, depending on the size of the organization:

◉ Evaluates, develops a rapport, and advises other executives on how to address security threats while working on a risk management program for an actionable plan.

◉ Performs a risk assessment plan that can reveal vulnerable areas within the organization.

◉ Performs asset assessment plan to classify organization assets based on their criticality and business level.

◉ Strategically develops a security roadmap consisting of budget size and prioritized initiatives.

◉ Ensuring that the organization complies with security policies and procedures.

◉ Develops, maintains, and updates security training and awareness plan.

◉ Prepares and communicates a response to security incidents.

◉ Examines the security architecture of the company for new projects and applications.

◉ Managing the organization’s compliance and governance as per the regulations in the country.

How to effectively discuss security as a competitive advantage and positive element for the organization to embrace:

What makes a good CISO?  

Here are a few key attributes of a CISO: 

Leadership 

A good CISO is friendly, can communicate, and is approachable. Thier leadership skills become evident in areas like developing, planning, and managing thier team of security experts, establishing a positive working condition. They take the lead in supervising all security-related operations. They must have the ability to listen and make risk-based business-oriented decisions. 

Excellent security knowledge 

For a CISO to be effective, they must understand and be able to interpret complex and analytical security problems and can provide a practical solution. They must be able to communicate and explain technical details understandable to other executives. They can also tolerate risk, owing to his high social engineering skill. They are highly patient, as changing everything in an organization takes patience and endurance. 

Excellent business knowledge 

CISOs security knowledge must balance with the business goals of the organization in a way that security risk can be managed without disrupting business operations. This will require a high level of knowledge to understand business operations required to secure the organization’s data. 

If you are an aspiring CISO then this session is for you: 

About Certified CISO Certification 

EC-Council’s Certified CISO program provides first of its kind security training to produce top-level security executives, focusing majorly on the application of technical knowledge. Bringing together all the components required for C-Level positions, the CCISO program combines audit management, governance, IS controls, human capital management, strategic program development, and the financial expertise vital to leading a highly successful IS program.

Source: eccouncil.org