Communicating Cyber Risks in the C-Suite: A Guide for CISOs

CISOs have long advocated for a seat at the business strategy table, arguing that cyber risks should be front and centre when developing and implementing business strategies. With the help of accelerating cyber risk and mounting regulatory pressures, persistence seems to be beginning to pay off. 

 

Those of us who have been around for a long time have witnessed an advancing culture of security awareness amongst C-suites and boards over the last 10 years. InfoSec has been elevated to a role where it can collaborate or, at the very least, contribute to organisational vision, mission, goals, and priorities. This growing consciousness coincides with increasing regulatory pressures and enforcement, which are also good at capturing executive attention. CISOs can no longer consider cyber risks in isolation. They are inseparable from other dynamic and volatile sources of uncertainty. This ever-changing landscape means we must continually refresh our contextual awareness and evaluations without suffering from tunnel vision. But here’s the problem: How do we communicate that with business executives in terms that will resonate?

 

Fortunately, most CISOs have a deep appreciation of organisations and their strategies. Once, CISOs were simply the geekiest people in the room, but increasingly, they are expected to combine their technological prowess with communication, relationship-building, influence, strategic development, and business management competencies.

 

Download your copy of A CISO's Strategic Blueprint: Navigating IT and Cyber Risks at the Executive Level for guidance on bridging the gap between the technical world of cybersecurity and the business world of corporate strategy whilst being mindful of potential pitfalls.