The role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has evolved to become a pivotal position in the corporate world.

CISOs and their teams are tasked with the formidable responsibility of safeguarding an organisation’s digital assets, systems, and infrastructure.

This multifaceted role extends beyond the realm of day-to-day cybersecurity operations and encompasses the definition of policies and procedures, generating reports, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with other top executives.

Evidently, cybersecurity has evolved into a collaborative effort, with CISOs assuming the role of team leaders.

One needs to focus on the pivotal responsibilities and formidable challenges encountered by contemporary CISOs.

1. Building bridges with the board

One of the key responsibilities of a CISO is to effectively interact with the board of directors, gaining their trust and support for cybersecurity initiatives. One must emphasise that CISOs should speak the language of the executive board.

They need to understand the intricacies of the business operations and translate complex technical security reports into a format that resonates with other executives.

This bridge-building effort requires the CISO to strike a balance between advising on security requirements and considering the organisation’s business needs. By demonstrating a deep understanding of both realms, CISOs can effectively communicate the importance of cybersecurity to the board.

2. Essential tools for a CISO

To succeed in their role and gain the necessary support and investments for cybersecurity, CISOs must employ several critical tools in their arsenal:

• Use business language: The executive board is primarily composed of business leaders, not cybersecurity experts. Thus, CISOs should communicate in business language, focusing on the financial and operational implications of cybersecurity decisions.

• Leverage data: CISOs can capture the board’s attention by discussing industry and company-specific security data, including cyberattack statistics and trends. Highlighting the growing threat landscape and potential financial losses due to a lack of investment can make a compelling case.

• Realistic funding requests: CISOs should present funding requests that align with the organisation’s overall business strategy. These requests should address the genuine cybersecurity risks faced by the company, providing a responsible and strategic solution for mitigating those risks.

• Regular communication: Maintaining an open and ongoing dialogue with board members is crucial. CISOs should keep the board informed about significant security developments, creating a partnership that ensures cybersecurity remains a top priority.

3. Addressing the cyber skills shortage

The shortage of cybersecurity professionals is a pressing issue, and it cannot be entirely overcome. The demand for skilled cybersecurity experts continues to outpace supply, with a growing number of organisations feeling the impact.

However, one strategy to mitigate this issue is to leverage effective cybersecurity technologies that can reduce the need for a vast workforce.

By deploying advanced tools like endpoint protection solutions, one cybersecurity analyst can monitor a large number of endpoints.

This not only maximises efficiency but also helps organisations cope with the ongoing skills shortage.

4. Balancing costs and risk reduction

Finding the right balance between reducing cybersecurity risks and managing costs is a perennial challenge for CISOs.

CISOs should focus on a well-defined cybersecurity plan, execute it diligently, and regularly assess its effectiveness.

This approach ensures that resources are allocated efficiently, and the organisation can proactively address potential threats rather than reactively fighting fires. Ultimately, proactive planning and execution are more cost-effective and less risky than ad-hoc, reactive responses.

The role of the CISO is ever-evolving, and the challenges they face are continually changing.

By considering the afore-mentioned, CISOs can effectively navigate the intricate landscape of cybersecurity, build strong relationships with their executive boards, and contribute to a more secure digital future for their organisations.

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And while historically, network and IT security have always existed as silos, many organisations are now adopting new technologies from Edge to cloud, which are bringing the convergence of network and security closer than ever before.

CISOs are therefore having to cement their leadership and planting their feet firmly in the role of Chief Trust Officer – driving organisational change to ensure security is always at the heart of the business strategy. This is increasingly important as security is now a key differentiator for consumers who increasingly look for partners and solutions that instil confidence.

Traditional models are changing

The rapid shift to working from anywhere and acceleration in digital business initiatives brought on by new working models, has shaken traditional business strategies and caused many organisations to review their approach for the better and drive positive change.

But, while we’re seeing network and security departments working more closely together, more collaboration is still needed as some advances are still only seen through the lens of the network. In our experience of delivering network and security services it quickly became clear that, although some products start life in our networking division, they need security built in.

For example, many companies still see SD-WAN purely as an opportunity to reduce network costs, and while their network teams are usually aware it will increase their organisation’s attack surface, what’s not taken into consideration is how much visibility and control is lost for the security department.

This is where some traditional structures still remain, which hold back progress. Coupled with organisational silos, skills gaps and existing investments – which will need to be readdressed to help network and security converge even further. Organisations need to start making sure security is inherent in every business-related decision.

Converging the physical and digital world

It’s now even more important to look at physical and cyber security in parallel as more devices are being introduced into the operational side of an organisation and connected to the network, creating a larger attack surface to secure.

The CISO is no longer just being confined to the digital world, with their role evolving to take on a string of new devices, like control access systems, automated vehicles and even drones, all vulnerable to outside interference and attack.

They have to look at the events from the physical and cyber world together, so that even activity such as internal door alarms alerting against intruders or monitoring door access to restricted areas are seen alongside activity on the network.

CISOs need to take charge over the trust of both the physical and digital world and expanding their responsibilities across the entire business.

CISOs are increasingly in the spotlight

As the CISO ’s role changes, they’re taking on a newfound importance in their organisation and becoming the face of trust – driving strategies forward and enabling the business.

So, they’ll need to make sure the organisation is sufficiently protected from every angle and customer data is always secure, to instil the necessary confidence and trust that ensures long term success and custom.

Last year 58% of executives said improving data and network security had become even more important for their organisation.

Plus, there’s an opportunity to do more, as 66% also said there needed to be an increased budget for security, increasing the focus on the CISO even more. Even though expectations are higher than ever, it’s providing the CISO with an exciting opportunity to drive change, as we’re now seeing many companies making sure security is increasingly at the heart of their digital transformation and cloud adoption programs.

So, how will the role of the CISO evolve?

Introducing the new Chief Trust Officer

The CISO is becoming the face of trust for their organisation, stepping into a newly evolved role as the Chief Trust Officer and taking charge of their organisation’s compliance, governance, data privacy and company-wide cyber risk management.