Building Information Security Core Competencies: A Guide for CISOs and C|CISO Candidates

What does a chief information security officer do, and what are the various CISO roles and responsibilities? As an organization’s most important IT security professional, the CISO is tasked with defending the business from external attackers and cyber threats.

Qualified CISOs must be familiar with many core information security competencies. Below, we’ll look at some essential IT security topics and how CISOs and C|CISO candidates can learn them.

The Fundamentals of Information Security

The IT security field stretches back decades, and organizations have settled on several information security fundamentals and best practices. Just a few of these are:

• Network security: The practice of network security focuses on protecting a company’s network infrastructure from cyber threats such as unauthorized access and data breaches. Solid network security measures include deploying firewalls, IDS/IPS (intrusion detection/prevention systems), secure protocols, and VPNs (virtual private networks). These solutions help safeguard the integrity and confidentiality of information and resources within the organization’s network.
• Encryption: Data encryption is crucial to protect sensitive information in transit and at rest. Effective data encryption relies on converting information into an encoded format using an encryption key; this information can only be decoded and understood with a corresponding decryption key (sometimes the same as the encryption key). Encrypting data ensures that it remains incomprehensible and unusable by anyone except the intended recipient(s), even if it falls into the wrong hands.
• Vulnerability management: It involves proactively identifying, assessing, and mitigating the security vulnerabilities in an IT environment. This requires security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing to detect potential weaknesses an attacker can exploit. Organizations can then take preventive actions such as installing patches, software updates, and security solutions.
• Incident response: Organizations must have well-defined and effective plans for responding to security incidents when cyber defenses fail. Incident response involves formulating strategies for events and threats like data breaches or ransomware infections. Effective incident response plans define the roles and responsibilities of IT professionals during a security event and outline the steps to follow to restore normal business operations.

To be effective, CISOs must be familiar with these and other information security fundamentals. These skills and best practices collectively form a solid foundation for IT security, enabling organizations to establish robust defenses against malicious actors. Unfortunately, far too few CISOs measure up to this task: a Gartner study revealed that just 12 percent of CISOs are considered “highly effective.”

Risk Assessment in Information Security

Beyond the fundamental topics listed above, the practice of risk assessment in information security is a crucial component of the CISO job description. The good news is that most CISOs take the risk of cyber attacks seriously. According to a 2023 survey by Proofpoint, 68 percent of CISOs believe their organization is at risk of a cyber attack in the next 12 months, and 25 percent rate this event “very likely.”

The process of risk assessment involves steps such as:

• Identifying assets: The first risk assessment stage involves determining the assets and resources within an organization’s IT infrastructure. These may include hardware, software applications, network devices, data, and intellectual property. By determining the IT assets, CISOs can better prioritize their security efforts and protect the most vulnerable or valuable resources.
• Evaluating threats: The next stage of risk assessment in information security requires CISOs to evaluate the likely threats that their organization faces. Hazards to an IT infrastructure can come from external attackers, insider threats, human error, and natural disasters that can significantly disrupt business operations. CISOs must consider each threat’s nature, capabilities, and likelihood and develop appropriate countermeasures and incident response plans.
• Determining vulnerabilities: Risk assessment involves identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities and flaws within an IT environment. Malicious actors can find and exploit these weaknesses to launch an attack or extend their reach within the environment. This process involves conducting vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to detect and address weaknesses before attackers discover them.

Conducting risk assessments at regular intervals is a crucial task for CISOs. The cyber security landscape constantly evolves, with new threats and vulnerabilities emerging.

The Operational Aspects of Information Security

Last but not least, the role of CISO—and the function of information security—requires a significant day-to-day operational aspect. The operational components of strong IT security include:

• Security monitoring: Security monitoring involves continuously observing an organization’s IT environment for suspicious events and potential security incidents. This includes monitoring and collecting logs on network traffic, user behavior, and other relevant data sources to identify unusual or unauthorized actions. Security monitoring is often performed by a security operations center (SOC), using tools such as SIEM (security information and event management) to achieve 24/7 visibility into an IT environment
• Incident detection: The goal of monitoring is prompt and accurate incident detection: finding security incidents and events as they occur. IT security professionals use manual and automated incident detection techniques, such as behavioral analytics and machine learning, to identify anomalous patterns and activities. As a result, security analysts can more effectively distinguish normal user activities and traffic from worrisome indicators of compromise (IoCs).
• Incident response: As discussed above, incident response responds to security events identified through incident detection. Incident response involves a series of coordinated, planned actions to contain the incident, mitigate or prevent its impact, remove the threat to the IT environment, and reestablish normal business operations. Effective CISOs create incident response plans for various security events with their IT security teams, including data breaches, malware infections, and denial of service (DoS) attacks.

The operational aspects of information security demand constant vigilance from CISOs. As security threats become more advanced and damaging, CISOs must ensure that security teams are prepared to handle these threats via methods such as training and education programs, simulated attacks and exercises, and penetration testing.

Continuous Professional Development for CISOs and C|CISO Candidates

The role of CISO demands a great deal of knowledge of and experience with information security. Moreover, with the cybersecurity landscape continuously shifting, CISOs must stay on their toes to be adequately prepared to address the latest threats and vulnerabilities.

This means that continuous professional development is key for CISOs and aspiring CISOs. Programs such as EC-Council’s Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) certification offer IT professionals the fundamental skills and training to assume the mantle of CISO effectively.

The C|CISO curriculum has been developed by existing CISOs who know what it takes to serve as chief information security officers. C|CISO covers the five essential domains of CISO knowledge:

1. Governance and risk management
2. Information security controls, compliance, and audit management
3. Security program management and operations
4. Information security core competencies
5. Strategic planning, finance, procurement, and vendor management

Source: eccouncil.org

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Associate C|CISO: The Next Step for a Certified Information Security Manager

In today’s workforce, information security workers are more important than ever. Most companies have undergone a digital transformation to stay competitive, and many business processes now take place online. Data is an asset, and security personnel represent the first line of defense. The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification is valuable for professionals following a cybersecurity career path.

However, a CISM certificate may only take you so far. If you want to take your career to the next level, the Associate Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) certification is a logical next step. This is especially true if you hope to become a Chief Information Officer (CIO) one day, as the Associate C|CISO prepares you for leadership.

A Career Path for Certified Information Security Managers

The Associate CCISO certification is a globally recognized credential that helps cybersecurity professionals prepare for a leadership role. If you are a CISM who hopes to make it to the C-suite one day, pursuing an Associate C|CISO cert is a strategic choice. The course is designed explicitly for the CIO career path — even if you don’t have the minimum five years of experience in three of the Certified CISO domains.

1. Transitioning Between Technical and Business Expertise

The Associate C|CISO certification goes beyond the technical aspects of information security and into business leadership. This well-rounded perspective equips the CISM-certified person with the skills required to articulate the value of information security to C-suite peers.

2. Preparation for Executive Leadership

Aspiring CIOs often face stiff competition when vying for upper management roles. The Associate C|CISO certification signals upper management that you possess the requisite leadership and strategic skills to thrive in an executive leadership position.

3. Learning How to Govern IT Effectively

If you’ve been through CISM training, you’re already well-versed in information security governance. The Associate C|CISO course builds upon this knowledge to show you how to create robust and effective IT governance frameworks. These skills can pay dividends as you move ahead on your career path.

4. Staying on Top of the Ever-Evolving Security Landscape

As an Associate Certified Information Security Officer, you’ll gain insight into emerging technologies and industry trends. Your new understanding of information security will help you stay ahead in our dynamic technology landscape. As you progress into management roles, you will be better prepared to make informed decisions about future cybersecurity tools and methodologies.

5. Demonstrating Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Earning the Associate CCISO certification demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development. It shows you are ready, willing, and able to learn complex information security topics and lead the organization into the future. This cert is also a stepping stone to many other career paths, including earning a Certified CISO certification or taking on management roles.

Starting a Path to Certified CISO Certification

If you want full Certified CISO status, the Associate C|CISO is your first step. While maintaining the Associate C|CISO, you must gain five years of experience in at least three of the five C|CISO domains. 

The next step is to fill out a form detailing your experience, which will be verified. After approval, you will take the C|CISO exam, with the option to retake training beforehand. Finally, you will be granted the Certified CISO certification after passing the exam.

The Benefits of a CISM Pursuing Associate C|CISO Certification

While there are many paths to the C-suite, if you want to build upon a CISM certificate and work up to a leadership role, the Associate C|CISO course offers some benefits you won’t get elsewhere.

First, an Associate C|CISO certification prepares you to work with other company leaders. The course emphasizes integrating information security with critical business functions like finance, legal, and operations teams. 

This holistic approach deeply explains how cybersecurity aligns with a company’s business objectives. Explaining technology’s strategic value is one of the most critical functions of a CIO (CIO Magazine, 2023). The course teaches you strong communication and interpersonal skills. This is key to helping you articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in the C-suite and the rest of the company.

Your company’s security posture is part of what you have to share as a CIO (BuiltIn, 2023). The Associate C|CISO certification gives you valuable insights into risk management strategies and incident response planning. This knowledge equips you to proactively identify potential security threats and how to implement practical risk mitigation efforts with company buy-in.

Gaining that trust from your colleagues requires deep knowledge of the cybersecurity industry. An Associate C|CISO certification teaches you about compliance with industry standards and government regulations. This is essential for any organization that works with sensitive data, and having this knowledge shows the real value of a CISO. The Associate C|CISO course covers various compliance frameworks, providing you with the expertise to ensure your organization remains in line with customer and government requirements.

Holding the Associate C|CISO certification can lead to better salary and compensation packages. Today, more than ever, businesses are willing to invest in skilled cybersecurity professionals (Security, 2023). An Associate C|CISO credential carries a weight that can positively impact your career prospects.

Since cybersecurity is a significant concern for businesses today, there are many excellent job opportunities at various companies. Earning additional certifications after your CISM training shows you are an expert. Moreover, your Associate C|CISO certification signifies dedication to your cybersecurity career.

How to Get Started with the Associate C|CISO Certification

Candidates wanting to enroll in the Associate C|CISO program must have at least two years of technical or management experience in any of the following domains:

• Governance and Risk Management
• Information Security Controls, Compliance, and Audit Management
• Security Program Management and Operations
• Information Security Core Competencies
• Strategic Planning, Finance, Procurement, and Vendor Management

or

Hold any of the following certifications: CISSP, CISM, or CISA.

You can join the elite Certified Associate C|CISO community by Grandfathering as an Associate C|CISO.

The Associate C|CISO Grandfathering Program

Cybersecurity professionals with 5 years of cumulative experience in the Associate C|CISO domains can apply for the Associate C|CISO Grandfathering program to obtain the Associate C|CISO certification without needing to sit for the Associate C|CISO exam.

The Associate C|CISO process, through grandfathering, offers recognition and credibility, supporting candidates on their journey to take influential cybersecurity leadership roles.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How Well Aligned Information Security Programs Help Business Grow

Information security is a top priority for businesses, but ensuring that information security aligns with business objectives can be a challenge. Many factors need to be considered when designing an information security strategy, such as the type of data being protected and the risks associated with its loss or unauthorized access. In order to ensure that information security aligns with business objectives, businesses need to take a holistic approach that considers all aspects of the organization. Here we’ll explore how information security can be aligned with business objectives and discuss some key considerations for doing so.

Why Information Security and Business Objectives Should Be in Sync

You don’t need to be a chief security officer to know that information security is crucial for businesses. But what many don’t realize is that aligning information security goals with business objectives can be hugely beneficial for an organization.

Read More: 712-50: EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

When it comes to protecting your data and systems, you need to have a plan in place that covers all the potential threats. These include everything from malicious attacks to accidental data breaches. But if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture.

Here are a few reasons why information security and business objectives should be in sync:

1. Improves Security Posture

If you want to reduce the risk of a data breach or other security incident, you must take a holistic approach to information security. This means looking at all the potential threats and vulnerabilities and then implementing controls that mitigate those risks.

However, if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture. For example, you might implement a security control that doesn’t address a key vulnerability or fail to deploy a critical security update because it doesn’t fit with the organization’s business goals (Scalzo, C., 2018).

2. Plays a Key Role in Strategic Planning 

Information security is a critical part of any business, and you should include it in your overall strategic planning. However, many organizations fail to take information security into account when they’re developing their business plans. This can lead to problems down the road, such as a lack of response plans in the event of a data breach or other security incident.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you avoid these problems and ensure that information security is given the attention it deserves. Including information security in your strategic planning will allow you to develop effective response plans and make sure that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a security incident (BizzSecure, 2020).

3. Establishes a Security-Focused Company Culture

Organizations are made up of different departments, each with its own objectives and goals. However, if there’s a disconnect between the information security team and the rest of the organization, it can lead to problems. For example, the marketing department might launch a new campaign without involving the security team, which could result in sensitive data being exposed.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that all departments are working together towards a common goal. In addition, establishing a security-focused company culture can help everyone in the organization understand the importance of information security and their role in protecting the company’s data.

4. Helps Mitigate Risks at Touch Points

One of the most important aspects of information security management is protecting your data from unauthorized access. There are many ways that attackers can gain access to your data, and having controls in place can mitigate these risks. For example, you might implement a password policy or use two-factor authentication to make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your systems.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that you’re taking all the necessary steps to protect your data. This includes identifying all the potential risks and implementing controls that will mitigate those risks.

In addition, you can avoid these problems and improve your overall security posture. Implementing an effective information security strategy can help you protect your data, attract and retain customers, and improve your bottom line. 

Source: eccouncil.org

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How Can Security Align with Business Objectives?

Information security is a top priority for businesses, but ensuring that information security aligns with business objectives can be a challenge. Many factors need to be considered when designing an information security strategy, such as the type of data being protected and the risks associated with its loss or unauthorized access. In order to ensure that information security aligns with business objectives, businesses need to take a holistic approach that considers all aspects of the organization. Here we’ll explore how information security can be aligned with business objectives and discuss some key considerations for doing so.

Why Information Security and Business Objectives Should Be in Sync

You don’t need to be a chief security officer to know that information security is crucial for businesses. But what many don’t realize is that aligning information security goals with business objectives can be hugely beneficial for an organization.

When it comes to protecting your data and systems, you need to have a plan in place that covers all the potential threats. These include everything from malicious attacks to accidental data breaches. But if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture.

Here are a few reasons why information security and business objectives should be in sync:

1. Improves Security Posture

If you want to reduce the risk of a data breach or other security incident, you must take a holistic approach to information security. This means looking at all the potential threats and vulnerabilities and then implementing controls that mitigate those risks.

However, if your information security strategy isn’t aligned with your business objectives, you could be missing out on opportunities to improve your overall security posture. For example, you might implement a security control that doesn’t address a key vulnerability or fail to deploy a critical security update because it doesn’t fit with the organization’s business goals (Scalzo, C., 2018).

2. Plays a Key Role in Strategic Planning 

Information security is a critical part of any business, and you should include it in your overall strategic planning. However, many organizations fail to take information security into account when they’re developing their business plans. This can lead to problems down the road, such as a lack of response plans in the event of a data breach or other security incident.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you avoid these problems and ensure that information security is given the attention it deserves. Including information security in your strategic planning will allow you to develop effective response plans and make sure that all stakeholders are aware of their roles and responsibilities in the event of a security incident (BizzSecure, 2020).

3. Establishes a Security-Focused Company Culture

Organizations are made up of different departments, each with its own objectives and goals. However, if there’s a disconnect between the information security team and the rest of the organization, it can lead to problems. For example, the marketing department might launch a new campaign without involving the security team, which could result in sensitive data being exposed.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that all departments are working together towards a common goal. In addition, establishing a security-focused company culture can help everyone in the organization understand the importance of information security and their role in protecting the company’s data.

4. Helps Mitigate Risks at Touch Points

One of the most important aspects of information security management is protecting your data from unauthorized access. There are many ways that attackers can gain access to your data, and having controls in place can mitigate these risks. For example, you might implement a password policy or use two-factor authentication to make it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your systems.

Aligning your information security strategy with your business objectives can help you ensure that you’re taking all the necessary steps to protect your data. This includes identifying all the potential risks and implementing controls that will mitigate those risks.

In addition, you can avoid these problems and improve your overall security posture. Implementing an effective information security strategy can help you protect your data, attract and retain customers, and improve your bottom line.

How the Certified CISO Program Helps

EC-Council’s Certified Chief Information Security Officer (C|CISO) program was developed in collaboration with top industry chief information security officers. The program focuses on the key domains of information security management and information security and business objectives.

The C|CISO program gives cybersecurity leaders the knowledge and skills they need to effectively lead their organizations in today’s ever-changing digital landscape.

EC-Council’s Certified CISO program is the only certification that covers all five domains of information security management:

◉ Governance

◉ Risk Management

◉ Asset Security

◉ Security Architecture and Design

◉ Security Operations

Businesses today are under more pressure than ever to protect themselves from a growing number of cyberthreats. Balancing the need for security with the demands of customers and partners can be a tough tightrope to walk, but it is possible to find alignment between these two competing interests.

By understanding your business objectives and using them as a guide, you can develop an information security strategy that meets your needs without sacrificing the agility or customer experience that your business depends on.

Source: eccouncil.org

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How to Become a CISO (Chief Information Security Officer)

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is one of digital security’s most powerful and high-paying roles. As a CISO, you’ll have complete responsibility for all aspects of your organization’s data. You will also play a vital role in business strategy and help shape your company’s future.

Becoming a CISO is generally considered the final destination of one’s cybersecurity career path. However, it’s never too early to start planning a route that takes you all the way to the boardroom, even if you’re only taking your first steps in the world of information security.

Why Are CISOs in Demand?

CISO is a relatively new position in the C-Suite. However, numerous companies are deciding to appoint a dedicated director of security. Around 55% of all companies currently have a dedicated CISO on the board. Of those that don’t have a CISO, 58% say they will add this position (Navisite, 2021).

In the past, IT security was part of the remit of other senior IT leaders. The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or the Chief Information Officer (CIO) generally took responsibility for preventing cyberattacks. These executives would work with cyber security experts within the IT team to create robust digital defenses.

However, the sheer scale of cyberthreats mean security is now a leadership issue. According to the FBI, cyber fraud has increased by almost 500% in the last five years (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2021). The cost of a hack can run to USD 180 per individual file accessed (IBM Security, 2021).

Organizations are under constant threat from cybercriminals. That’s why it makes sense to appoint an experienced security expert who can offer guidance and support at a strategic level.

CISO is a well-paid position with an average salary of around USD 231,000 (Salary, 2022). However, executive remuneration can vary, depending on the company’s size and the job’s nature. In recent years, top-tier CISOs have commanded salaries of over USD 2.3 million (Melin, 2019).

What Does a CISO Do?

Chief Information Security Officer is an executive-level position. If you become a CISO, you will work directly with the organization’s other executives, including the CEO.

Your primary duty will be to protect your organization’s data. A Chief Information Security Officer’s responsibilities include:

◉ Developing a security infrastructure: You will work with a team of security managers and architects to build an operational security infrastructure. You will have a high-level overview of all groups, departments, and business units. You are also responsible for incident response and the disaster recovery plan. Keeping all these elements aligned will require excellent communication, delegation, and problem-solving skills.

◉ Supporting business strategy: Senior leaders spend most of their time talking about the future. What’s the smartest next step? Is it time to grow or consolidate? As a CISO, you will help your C-Suite colleagues develop business strategies that are safe and secure. You need to be a strategic thinker with a keen eye for risks and opportunities.

◉ Approving technology investment: The CISO works closely with the CTO and CIO to make plans about the organization’s IT infrastructure. Together, you’ll identify technological solutions that support growth without creating additional risk.

◉ Overseeing regulatory compliance: Handling data raises several compliance issues especially if you have customers in different jurisdictions. As CISO, you will ensure that the organization always follows the correct rules and standards. You’ll also alert the other board members if their plans might lead to compliance issues.

Data is the lifeblood of every modern company. As CISO, your job is to ensure that data flows safely and reliably throughout your organization. With cyber security under control, the company will be free to focus on its long-term strategy.

How to Become a CISO

When a company hires a new Chief Information Security Officer, they’re looking for someone they can trust completely. As CISO, you will have complete control over data security. You will also have a voice in the company’s long-term strategy.

To become a CISO, you must prove that the company can trust you in the role. You can do this by building a compelling record of accomplishment in cybersecurity. Here are the steps you can take:

1. Get the right education

Your education will be the foundation of your CISO career. At a minimum, you should have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related discipline. Most companies will also expect a postgraduate qualification such as a Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCS) (Indeed, 2021).

2. Build your technical experience

You will need to have a substantial digital security background before applying for a CISO position. Ideally, you should have a diverse knowledge of different platforms and solutions. You should also have a broad understanding of cyber threats. Most roles require a minimum of five years’ worth of hands-on experience (LinkedIn, 2021).

3. Get leadership experience

CISO is essentially a leadership role. Much of your energy will go into building an outstanding security team and helping them deliver your strategy. As such, you will need an exceptional background in managing, supporting, and communicating with a team. Seven years of management experience is often the minimum for CISO roles (LinkedIn, 2021).

4. Become qualified as a CISO

The hardest part of the journey is often the leap from management to executive leadership. You can give yourself a boost across this divide by obtaining an up-to-date qualification that will equip you with everything you need to succeed as a CISO. The Certified Chief Information Officer (C|CISO) qualification can provide you with up-to-date information and crucial real-world experience.

5. Develop your strategic vision

When a business hires a new executive, they’re looking for someone who can lead them into the future. You will need to show that you are more than just a talented security manager you’re someone who can support growth and innovation. What strategic vision will you bring to the boardroom?

The path to becoming a CISO is long and arduous. But, if you’re genuinely passionate about security, this is your chance to become an innovative leader in the fight against cybercrime.

How to Get Started on a CISO Career Path

Every journey starts with a first step. If you’re an IT professional considering moving into security, you could start by looking at the Certified Network Defender (C|ND) certificate. This beginner’s level qualification will help you find your first job in InfoSec.

From there, it’s a matter of staying focused on building your resume. Seek every opportunity to develop the three main strands of your professional experience:

◉ Technical: Learn everything you can about cyber threats and countermeasures. Study security architecture across multiple platforms and learn everything about hacking methodologies.

◉ Managerial: Work on projects that give you a chance to manage a team. Learn leadership skills like communication, delegation, budgeting, reporting, and internal negotiations.

◉ Strategic: Take every chance to show initiative. Pay close attention to the way that business processes (such as cyber security measures) support business goals.

There aren’t any shortcuts on the way to the CISO office. CISO training is a matter of putting in the hours. You must spend time gaining experience, learning as you go.

Eventually, you’ll reach a point where you have five years’ experience (or relevant qualification) in the following areas:

1. Governance, risk, and compliance

2. Information security controls and audit management

3. Security program management & operations

4. Information security core competencies

5. Strategic planning, finance, procurement, and third-party management

At this point, you’re ready to pursue the C|CISO certification from EC-Council. This globally recognized qualification gives you the knowledge to step into executive leadership and the practical experience to help you succeed.

Are you ready to step up to the C-Suite? Find out more about how chief information security officer training with C|CISO can unlock your ultimate career goals.

Source: eccouncil.org

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What Is Cybersecurity Management, and Why Is it Important?

Cyberattacks increased by 50% in 2021, reaching an all-time peak in Q4 as companies experienced an average of 900 attacks per week (Check Point, 2022). Businesses are under relentless assault and can only keep their data safe by investing in a sophisticated cybersecurity management strategy.

Most organizations take cybersecurity management seriously, with businesses spending an average of 10.9% of their IT budget on strengthening their digital defenses (Deloitte, 2020). Many companies appoint a dedicated board member—the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)—to oversee their cybersecurity management strategy.

What Is Cybersecurity Management?

Modern organizations often have complicated IT infrastructures. The typical tech stack includes a mix of on-premises and cloud services, so staff members might log in from the office or home. This complexity can create new attack vectors for cybercriminals and raises new data security risks for organizations.

Cybersecurity management is about creating and implementing a unified data security strategy so that data remains safe no matter how the company’s infrastructure evolves.

The CISO or other senior infosec executive will develop a cybersecurity management strategy that covers everything, including:

◉ Technology: Overseeing the primary security architecture, including hardware and software, as well as assessing any new services for potential vulnerabilities

◉ Infrastructure: Guiding decisions on changes to the IT infrastructure, which involves a balance between flexibility and stability

◉ Personnel: Educating users about security best practices. People are often the weakest link in an organization, but with knowledgeable support, employees can do their part to prevent cybercrime

◉ Incident response: Identifying and resolving issues as quickly as possible, assessing the extent of the breach, and mitigating damage

◉ Business strategy: Working with other senior leaders to deliver a long-term strategy as the company grows while avoiding any increase in cyber risk

Cybersecurity management is about more than just making sure the firewalls are functional; it’s about nurturing a safety-first organizational culture that puts security at the heart of everything you do.

What Is the Importance of Cybersecurity Management?

Cybersecurity is now the number one global business risk. When asked to name their biggest concerns, 44% of business leaders said cybersecurity incidents—more than those who said pandemic (22%) or a recession (11%) (Allianz, 2022).

Why are businesses so concerned about cybersecurity management? For several reasons, including:

◉ Excessive cost of incident response: The average data breach cost in 2022 was $4.35 million. This is an all-time high, up 12.7% since 2020 (IBM Security, 2022).

◉ Slow response to cybersecurity incidents: Businesses sometimes don’t realize they have experienced an attack until months later. On average, it took 277 days to identify and resolve a breach in 2022 (IBM Security, 2022).

◉ Risk of extortion or espionage: Organized criminal gangs target large organizations so they can steal valuable data or demand a ransom. Recent high-profile attacks have shut down the United States’ largest fuel pipeline (Turton, 2021) and Ireland’s national health service. (Harford, 2021).

◉ Reputational damage: People trust businesses with sensitive personal data. If cybercriminals steal that data, it destroys that sense of trust. One study of an e-commerce brand affected by a data breach found that one-third of consumers affected would not shop there again (Strzelecki and Rizun, 2022).

◉ Business stability: Cybersecurity management is a life-or-death matter for most businesses. In 2022, the medical startup myNurse shut down its service after hackers accessed confidential patient records (Whittaker, 2022). myNurse is just one example of the thousands of businesses that collapse directly because of cybercrime.

When cybersecurity management fails, the entire business can fail. Therefore, companies need to hire a talented CISO to avoid the catastrophic aftermath of a cyberattack.

What Is the CISO's Role in Cybersecurity Management?

The CISO is responsible for keeping their company one step ahead of malicious hackers.

This means overseeing operations, assessing risk factors, and implementing policy changes on a day-to-day basis. You’ll work with people from every business function to learn about the data needs in each department and ensure that the cybersecurity management strategy is right for your organization.

A CISO’s typical workload includes:

1. Governance, risk, and compliance

A CISO is responsible for all aspects of data governance, which includes the cybersecurity management team structure. They also oversee the frameworks for assessing cybersecurity risk management and ensure that everything is compliant with applicable laws.

2. Information security controls and audit management

Each organization needs an internal controls framework to help implement data security management. The CISO oversees the technology and best practices that make up such controls. They will also implement an audit program to help identify potential breaches.

3. Security program management and operations

The CISO defines the culture of the entire cybersecurity management team. They are responsible for laying out a mission statement, communicating policy, and ensuring a suitable team structure to deliver the strategy.

4. Dealing with cybersecurity issues

CISOs need excellent technical knowledge to get involved in major cybersecurity issues. This may involve overseeing the response to a data breach or patching a known vulnerability.

5. Strategic planning and finance

Finally, a CISO must deal with organizational issues similar to other executive leaders. This means balancing the departmental budget and working with other leaders to develop a business strategy.

How CISO Training Can Help You Become a Chief Information Security Officer

As a CISO, you’ll have a chance to make a real difference to your company’s cybersecurity management strategy, and you can also expect a healthy rewards package. The average CISO in the United States earns $232,090 as of July 26, 2022 (Salary.com, 2022).

You’ll need an extensive track record in cybersecurity management to secure a position as CISO or another senior infosec executive role. This means having expert-level cybersecurity knowledge, including threat analysis and security architecture. You will also need management skills, including communication, delegation, and creating high-level strategies.

If you’re ready to move into senior leadership, you can level up your career with the Certified Chief Information Security Officer Program (C|CISO) program from EC-Council. This certification builds on your existing knowledge of cybersecurity management and teaches you what you’ll need to know to succeed in executive leadership.

Seasoned CISOs developed the C|CISO program to help you deliver the right cybersecurity management strategy for your company.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)

EC-Council’s CCISO Program has certified leading information security professionals around the world. A core group of high-level information security executives, the CCISO Advisory Board, contributed by forming the foundation of the program and outlining the content that would be covered by the exam, body of knowledge, and training. Some members of the Board contributed as authors, others as exam writers, others as quality assurance checks, and still others as trainers. Each segment of the program was developed with the aspiring CISO in mind and looks to transfer the knowledge of seasoned professionals to the next generation in the areas that are most critical in the development and maintenance of a successful information security program.

The Certified CISO (CCISO) program is the first of its kind training and certification program aimed at producing top-level information security executives. The CCISO does not focus solely on technical knowledge but on the application of information security management principles from an executive management point of view. The program was developed by sitting CISOs for current and aspiring CISOs.

Why should you consider the CCISO program?

The CCISO Certification is an industry-leading program that recognizes the real-world experience necessary to succeed at the highest executive levels of information security.

Bringing together all the components required for a 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. Material in the CCISO Program assumes a high-level understanding of technical topics and doesn’t spend much time on strictly technical information, but rather on the application of technical knowledge to an information security executive’s day-to-day work. The CCISO aims to bridge the gap between the executive management knowledge that CISOs need and the technical knowledge that many aspiring CISOs have. This can be a crucial gap as a practitioner endeavors to move from mid-management to upper, executive management roles. Much of this is traditionally learned as on the job training, but the CCISO Training Program can be the key to a successful transition to the highest ranks of information security management.

CCISO Domain Details

Domain 1

Governance, Risk, Compliance

Domain 2

Information Security Controls and Audit Management

Domain 3

Security Program Management & Operations

Domain 4

Information Security Core Competencies

Domain 5 

Strategic Planning, Finance, Procurement, and Third-Party Management

Source: eccouncil.org

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What is an Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO)?

EC-Council’s CCISO Program has certified leading information security professionals around the world. A core group of high-level information security executives, the CCISO Advisory Board, contributed by forming the foundation of the program and outlining the content that would be covered by the exam, body of knowledge, and training. Some members of the Board contributed as authors, others as exam writers, others as quality assurance checks, and still others as trainers. Each segment of the program was developed with the aspiring CISO in mind and looks to transfer the knowledge of seasoned professionals to the next generation in the areas that are most critical in the development and maintenance of a successful information security program.

The Certified CISO (CCISO) program is the first of its kind training and certification program aimed at producing top-level information security executives. The CCISO does not focus solely on technical knowledge but on the application of information security management principles from an executive management point of view. The program was developed by sitting CISOs for current and aspiring CISOs.

In order to sit for the CCISO exam and earn the certification, candidates must meet the basic CCISO requirements. Candidates who do not yet meet the CCISO requirements but are interested in information security management can pursue the EC-Council Information Security Management (EISM) certification.

What is the role of a certified Chief Information Security Officer(CISO)?

The CISO position emerged worldwide as a designation of executive leaders who can address the emerging threats to information security by developing and maintaining a tough information security strategy. CISOs – with the experience, leadership, communication skills and innovative strengths are born to resolve the ever-growing information security threats. The CISO of tomorrow will play a vital role in creating effective and efficient processes and will lead a team of technically skilled professionals to defend the core interests of their organization.

Become a Chief Information Security Officer

Today’s world is one of constant and instant information exchange. Organizations, be it private businesses or government bodies, rely on sophisticated computer databases and networks to share digital information on a daily basis with their subsidiaries, branches, partners, clients, employees, and other stakeholders. However, years of information security incidences and the onslaught of the recent cyber-attacks prove that digital data can be easily compromised. Organizations therefore, are increasingly in need of a new set of skills and processes to ensure the security of information at a scale that will be required tomorrow.

If your aspiration is to have the highest regarded title within the information security profession – CISO, if you already have earned the role of a CISO, or if you are currently playing the role of a CISO in your organization without the official title, the CISO designation is the recognition of your knowledge and achievements that will award you with professional acknowledgement and propel your career.

Achieving the CCISO Certification will differentiate you from others in the competitive ranks of senior Information Security Professionals. CCISO will provide your employers with the assurance that as a CCISO executive leader, you possess the proven knowledge and experience to plan and oversee Information Security for the entire corporation.

Certification Target Audience

CCISOs are certified in the knowledge of and experience in the following CISO Domains:

◉ Governance (Policy, Legal & Compliance)

◉ IS Management Controls and Auditing Management (Projects, Technology & Operations).

◉ Management – Projects and Operations

◉ Information Security Core Competencies.

◉ Strategic Planning & Finance

Clause: Age Requirements and Policies Concerning Minors

The age requirement for attending the training or attempting the exam is restricted to any candidate that is at least 18 years old.

If the candidate is under the age of 18, they are not eligible to attend the official training or eligible to attempt the certification exam unless they provide the accredited training center/EC-Council a written consent of their parent/legal guardian and a supporting letter from their institution of higher learning. Only applicants from nationally accredited institution of higher learning shall be considered.

Passing Criteria:

In order to maintain the high integrity of our certifications exams, EC-Council Exams are provided in multiple forms (I.e. different question banks). Each form is carefully analyzed through beta testing with an appropriate sample group under the purview of a committee of subject matter experts that ensure that each of our exams not only have academic rigor but also have "real world" applicability. We also have a process to determine the difficulty rating of each question . The individual rating then contributes to an overall "Cut Score" for each exam form. To ensure each form has equal assessment standards, cut scores are set on a "per exam form" basis. Depending on which exam form is challenged, cut scores can range from 60% to 85%.

Source: cert.eccouncil.org

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All About Regulatory Compliance: What It Is and Why Is It Essential?

In this fast-moving world, there have been various developments and discoveries that are now impossible to work without. Every organization has been developing and incorporating the multiple findings made. With the addition of new equipment and the incorporation of new technologies and strategies, it is vital to maintain specific laws, policies, and regulations to maintain stability, security, a practical and statistical approach. With the implication of such rules, policies/guidelines, and regulations, an order of uniformity and stability is maintained. Legal actions can be taken if any regulation or policy is violated and is the basic foundation of the organization. These rules and policies are known as regulatory compliance. Employees are required to adhere to and follow the policies and regulations stated. Every working sector has regulatory compliance, which is followed, and violating them can result in legal consequences.

What Is Regulatory Compliance (RC)?

Regulatory compliance is the organization’s adherence to the various laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, and other standards, which the government establishes. It accomplishes the regulation’s commitment to accounting, tax, judicial reporting, and other compliance factors. Regulatory compliance is set for every industry by the government and varies from country to country. It is essential for business employees and administrators to have the basic knowledge and the understanding of the laws and regulations and how they work and why they are crucial. Failing to abide by the laws and regulations, legal action can be taken against the individual.

Regulatory compliance management and auditing are usually expensive ventures. The organizations need to invest in fulfilling the compliance laws and conciliating the stakeholders to maintain the business process by turning a profit simultaneously. It is often confusing and complex as the organization has to imply various compliance requirements in every sector in the organization’s market. There has always been a dual verdict when it comes to regulation. Many individuals debate about it, stating that it should radically diminish the burden of the regulation. In contrast, the other half of individuals debate contradicting to them on how regulation is essential to maintain accurate and secure corporate behavior.

Importance of Regulatory Compliance (RC)

Regulatory compliance is considered to be an establishment of customer protection. It ensures that the organizations do not have misconduct that may harm society. Organizations that do not follow/imply regulatory compliance can be fined and face other legal consequences. RC plays a vital role in consumer-oriented industries such as Healthcare (HIPPA), financial (PCI-DSS, GLBA), food and beverage industry (HACCP), and federal agencies (FISMA). Few organizations preserve compliance data: the data associated with the organization or included in the law, which is used later for auditing purposes and to implement and validate compliances incorporating the latest updates. Every organization needs to integrate regulatory compliance as it also helps in the management of compliance data, like audit trails, data transfers, etc., more efficiently.  When the rules, policies, and procedures are not followed/complied by, it results in a compliance breach. Breaches can result from human or technical error, the misconception of the obligations, or can be done intentionally. Compliance breach often ruins the reputation of the organization or the brand, leading to a lot of damage concerning the financial aspects of the organizations. The problem is minimized by enforcing compliance training, which giver a clear outlook of why and how is regulatory compliance is essential and how to maintain it.

Implementation of Regulatory Compliance (RC)

It is important to ensure the accurate implementation of regulatory compliance in an organization. To have substantial regulatory compliance, it must have comprehensiveness, attention to detail, precise analytics of the data and requirements. This can be broadly classified into six steps:

1. Identification of applicable acts, regulations, directives, standards:

Knowing which laws are required based on the nature/sector of the organizations is essential to understand implement an accurate act/law which is up to date with the terms and conditions. Every law has a unique structure making it difficult to finalize the apt law and acts required for the organization.

2. Identify acceptable requirements:

Identify all the laws, regulations, and policies applicable/suitable for the organization’s operations. Compliances are expensive and time-consuming, and hence it is necessary to know and understand which regulations and their applicability are apt for the organization and its standards. Government issues guidance documents help the organization understand the requirements and how the government interprets them concerning various regulatory aspects.

3. Monitor for changes:

With the evolution of technologies, there are constant changes in the requirements that regularly need to be updated. It is essential to monitor all the documents thoroughly to identify if a change in regulation is required.

4. Determining the applicability of the changes:

Once a change is detected in applicable law, determining if the changes would comply and fit in perfectly concerning the organizations is important. If it is apt, it can be implemented, and the required training about the updated law should be given.

5. Collaborating with the team and with experts:

Once a change is determined as applicable, it is necessary to imply tasks to close the compliance gap which has been caused due to the change. The tasks should be defined and supported by references supporting it and must answer the five W’s:

◉ Why should we have the change?

◉ When should we have to change?

◉ What should be changed?

◉ Who is responsible for implementing the change?

◉ Where should the change take place (sector of the organization)?

6. Documentation of compliance reviews: It is essential and a must to maintain evidence of the compliance reviews. This evidence plays a vital role during audits and helps in a better understanding of the compliance regulations and their overdue course time.

Regulatory Compliance Training

It is essential to regularly conduct compliance training for the employees to create awareness about the regulations, laws, policies, standards, etc., which are implemented in their organization. Regulatory compliance training ensures that the employees know every policy’s necessity and abide by them to avoid legal consequences when policy or regulatory law is violated. This prevents poor conduct, bad interpersonal behavior and enables in gaining a good reputation. Regulatory compliance deals with the laws, legal directives, and the legislation stated by the government bodies, whereas corporate compliance deals with an organization’s internal compliance structure, which all the organization’s employees follow. It is very crucial to maintain and protect the organization over the long term.

Compliance training has various benefits, such as:

◉ Employee engagement by building employee awareness: Employees who understand and abide by the organization’s compliance are more reliable and often promote a healthier environment.

◉ Defines the policies and goals of an organization: Every organization defines its policies and plans to succeed. The policies help in maintaining a smooth and ordeal environment which, when violated, can lead to legal consequences, which helps the organization eliminate internal threats and risks.

◉ Safer working environment: A virtuous and stable compliance policy enables and promotes a positive working behavior, making it simple yet effective and have good communication amongst the employees, making them feel well associated with the organizational values.

Regulatory compliance is a crucial and vital part of every organization. To maintain the regulatory compliances and retain them, organizations hire compliance specialists who have complete knowledge and help the organization by suggesting and making compliance-related decisions to achieve the desired goals. Organizations usually prefer a certified specialist, as compliance is ultimately a technical process. Organizations typically hire a CISO to handle the organization’s significant security aspects, including regulatory compliance implications.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Tips from a CISO: How to Create a Great Security Program

Developing a security program sometimes feels like trying to solve a 3,000 piece jigsaw puzzle while some people are trying to disturb your focus and the clock is ticking. To make the challenge harder, the big picture you are trying to mirror is constantly changing along the way.

The common challenges of playing the CISO role in an organization go far beyond applying subject matter expertise and require us to apply all leadership, strategy, and communication skills to guide the organizational culture and allow business prosperity. Understanding the business, managing stakeholders’ expectations, and setting the same risk awareness level across the company are just some examples of the challenges that a security executive role needs to address. On the SME role, we usually start with risk assessments and gap analysis, followed by a formal cybersecurity program plan.

No matter how much effort we apply to create the plan, there is always a moment when you realize that the big picture you were mirroring as a target state will not bring the business any value anymore. Business landscape changes such as M&A’s, new competition created from other industries, new tech forces being applied, and internal business strategy changes drive the plan to be reviewed. In addition, there will be new cyber incidents, emerging high risks, new regulation due dates, or a black-swan-like COVID-19 that will lead you to review the security program you just drafted immediately.

How to Develop a Sustainable and Adaptable Security Program?

The first thing is to set up the right foundational pillars. Since we know that changes are a constant in the CISO ecosystem, we should consider it a part of the game plan and set strategies to help detect and respond as early as possible. I propose that security executives focus their strategies on some specific perspectives:

1. Business awareness

Understand the business should not be a one-shot activity but a constant in the CISO job. Understanding business goals, products, services, challenges, and strategies help the security team do their traditional tasks while supporting business objectives. However, it should also allow the CISO to position themselves as a part of the business, enabling the organization to take risk decisions considering the latest picture and whatever makes more sense for the business to prosper.

2. Strategic positioning

Understanding the kind of value the information security program can provide to the business is essential for the buy-in and support of your program. Given the digital business transformation movement, cyber and information security are now starting to be seen as essential business components, which helps the CISO go far beyond sustaining and protection roles, to that of a business developer and enabler. Achieving this maturity level requires that the CISO maintain a strategic mindset.

3. Engagement

The security program should not be a one-person challenge. The department should engage everyone who can contribute to disseminating the security culture across the organization. Defining the strategy together with key stakeholders and leading the business to some of these initiatives helps create buy-in and program effectiveness, besides framing the risk ownership and accountability culture.

4. Build a strong team

Having a challenged, passionate, and skilled team will help the organization drive any technical changes that should be addressed while keeping stakeholders and the entire organization connected to the reviewed strategy. A team with guidance, autonomy, and constant feedback is an essential pillar to the success of the security program on both technical expertise and leading, influencing, and proposing changes to the company. A strong team also represents the needed technical know-how the organization will have to better manage risks.

5. Communication

Leading a security program is much more than defining the right tools, processes, and governance to achieve a specific goal. It is guiding an organizational culture on security aspects. Many times it is to transform a company’s mindset and lead organizational changes. Communication is the key link between giving the right message and listening to what is being communicated. Changes take time and require online interactions to make them sustainable.

Moving the information security discipline beyond the purely technical perspective to be a part of the business demands that CISOs play a business role. This means that mitigating risk will not be the only option and, at the end of the day, the security department should be working not as a company guardian but as one more important business piece that is resilient and adaptable to changes. This way, whatever happens in the business context or the risk landscape, security will continue to play their part to enable the business.

Source: eccouncil.org

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Join the New Generation of Information Security Leaders with CCISO

The Certified CISO -CCISO certification is the first of its kind certification geared towards producing top-notch information security executives. The CCISO does not concentrate only on technical knowledge but the application of information security management principles from an executive management perspective.

To become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), an individual must have the technical knowledge and must own specific skills such as establishing and maintaining the organization’s strategy and goals. The CCISO certification is designed keeping the aspiring CISO in mind, emphasis on the most important aspects of an information security program.

The Role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The CISO is an organization’s information security executive at a senior level, who promotes and maintains an information security policy to address increasing threats in the cyber world in association with a business’ objective. They play an important role in developing and managing a team of technical professionals to secure organizations by reducing cyber-risks, responding to incidents, setting up controls, and establishing and executing policies and procedures.

What Does the CCISO Certification Teach?

This ECCouncil certification focuses on five domains to bring together all the components required for a C-Level position. It incorporates governance, security risk management, controls, audit management, information-security core concepts, security program management and operations, and strategic planning, finance, and vendor management––skills that are vital to leading a highly successful information security program.

Five CCISO Domains

The CCISO Body of Knowledge was written by CISOs for future CISOs and gives in-depth learning of the five domains that are essential for a CISO. These five CCISO domains focus on technical knowledge, as well as information security management principles, from a managerial perspective.

Domain 1: Governance

This domain includes structured planning, aligning information security requirements and business requirements, leadership and management skills in compliance with cybersecurity and organizational laws and acts, evaluating the advanced information security changes, trends and best practices, and report writing.

Domain 2: Security Risk Management, Controls, and Audit Management

This domain focuses on information-security management controls: analyzing, identifying, designing, implementing, and managing information system controls’ process to lessen risks, and test controls and generate detailed reports. It also includes auditing management: understanding the process, applying principles, skills, and techniques, executing and evaluating results, analyze the results, and develop advanced procedures.

Domain 3: Security Program Management & Operations

This domain includes project development, planning, implementation, and budgeting, developing, acquiring, and managing information-security project teams, assigning tasks and training, leading teams, assuring teamwork and communication, assessing the project to assure that it follows with business requirements and delivers optimal system performance, and guaranteeing that changes to the existing information system policies are made in a convenient manner.

Domain 4: Information Security Core Concepts

This fourth domain comprises designing, implementing, and ensuring appropriate plans for access control, phishing attacks, risk management, identity theft, business continuity plans, physical security, disaster recovery, Trojans and malware threats, firewalls, IDS/IPS and network defense systems, wireless security, virus, secure coding best practices and securing web applications, encryption technologies, hardening OS, and computer forensics and incident response.

Domain 5: Strategic Planning, Finance, and Vendor Management

This domain focuses on designing, developing, and maintaining enterprise information-security architecture (EISA), execute external and internal analysis of the organization, design a strategic plan that will empower business growth, receive and maintain resources based on an operational budget, and perceive other business financial requirements.

Who Is It For?

The CCISO is for information security executives leaning toward to be CISOs through sharpening their skills and learning to harmonize information security programs with business goals and objectives. This program also helps existing CISOs to enhance their technical and management skills, as well as business procedures.

• Read: A Complete Guide to EC-Council Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CCISO) Certification

Prerequisite for CCISO Exam

The CCISO is not an entry-level certification. To qualify for the CCISO exam, you must have at least 5 years of prior experience in at least 3 of the 5 CCISO domains.
Applicants who do not satisfy the requirements for the CCISO exam can take the EC-Council Information Security Management (EISM) certification.

CCISO Exam Details

The CCISO exam composed of 150 multiple-choice questions that are administered over 150 minutes. The questions are based on knowledge of the five domains and expect extensive thought and evaluation. The needed score to achieve the CCISO certification is a minimum of 75%. The CCISO exam cost is 999 USD.

Why Should You Earn CCISO Certification?

1. Approved by ANSI

EC-Council has been certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for its CCISO certification. It is one of the few certification bodies whose main specialization is information security to satisfy the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 Personnel Certification Accreditation standard.

2. Created by the Experts

The CCISO Advisory board is consisting of practicing CISOs who designed the program based on their everyday experiences—based on both technical and management concerns. The board is comprised of security leaders from Amtrak, HP, the City of San Francisco, the Center for Disease Control, Lennar, universities, and consulting organizations who have shared their broad knowledge to outline this certification to meet the lack of Information Security leaders.

3. Focuses on C-Level Management through the Five Domains

By focusing on the CCISO  five domains, EC-Council not only assures that their views line up with those of the NCWF but also fulfill the requirements of businesses and organizations around the world.

4. Bridges the Gap between Technical Knowledge, Executive Management, and Financial Management

The CCISO certification does not focus only on the technical areas required but expands to executive management and financial management, both of which are important to leading a successful information security project. It emphasizes on the application of technical knowledge rather than technical information, which is important to a chief information security officer’s daily responsibilities. Information security managers can advance through the technical ranks but must learn executive-level management, financial management, strategic planning, and organizational skills to reach a C-Level position.

5. Acknowledges the Value of Real-World Experience

To reach a C-Level position, an information security officer need to have prior experience to obtain a holistic idea of what to count on while in the field. With this in mind, the CCISO consists of many real-world experiences faced by current CISOs around the world.

The CCISO exam also challenges applicants to establish a business continuity plan for a company in a given industry and situation, apply metrics to communicate risk for various audiences and explains how to align security policies with the goals of the business––among many other exercises.

Earn CCISO Certification and stay on the race!!

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