As business pressures intensify, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) increasingly face challenges in bridging communication gaps with executive teams. Research from The Wall Street Journal highlights a key issue: 58% of CISOs struggle to translate technical concepts for senior leadership, while 82% feel compelled to sugarcoat security reports for the board.
We spoke with Dan Baylis, CISO at LV=, and Phillip Heyns, Global Cybersecurity Architecture & Engineering Manager at Hitachi Energy, to explore practical strategies for fostering data-driven discussions on security performance and return on investment (ROI). Below are actionable insights from their conversation.
The Evolving Role of the CISO
The pandemic’s acceleration of digital adoption has shifted organizational priorities, making cybersecurity a top-down mandate. While CISOs previously advocated for secure operations, today they must align cyber strategies with overarching business goals.
No longer purely technical, the CISO role now requires business acumen. Beyond managing technical teams, CISOs must effectively communicate with executives and the board, demonstrating how cybersecurity investments support business objectives.
Here are five essential tips for thriving in this expanded role:
1. Report Risks Transparently
Some CISOs downplay risk levels to avoid scrutiny, but this approach often backfires. Minimizing risks can deprive the organization of necessary resources, worsening vulnerabilities.
Honest risk assessments empower executives to make data-driven decisions and allocate resources to mitigate threats. Transparency also aligns with compliance mandates, such as the SEC’s cybersecurity disclosure requirements in the U.S., encouraging consistent reporting frameworks. Clear communication of risks ensures that responsibility is shared across the organization.
2. Tailor Communication for Technical and Business Audiences
Effective CISOs bridge the gap between technical teams and business leaders. Use tailored data to convey key points to specific audiences:
- For stakeholders: Benchmark against industry peers.
- For risk committees: Focus on control coverage and effectiveness.
CISOs should connect cybersecurity investments to business outcomes, such as productivity improvements or financial impact reduction. Tools like Breach and Attack Simulation (BAS) can help illustrate the benefits of security initiatives by showing measurable improvements over time.
3. Leverage Automated Security Testing
Relying on outdated manual assessments leaves organizations vulnerable. Automated security validation ensures continuous and comprehensive testing of security controls, enabling CISOs to:
- Identify gaps in real time.
- Prioritize resources based on critical vulnerabilities.
- Communicate progress to stakeholders with actionable data.
Automated tools also help track “security drift” and align controls with evolving threats. This proactive approach reduces the risk of exploitation and bolsters organizational defenses.
4. Foster a Culture of Cyber Awareness
Employees are often the weakest link in an organization’s security chain. By fostering awareness, CISOs can mitigate risks stemming from human error. Regular phishing simulations, for instance, train employees to recognize and respond to potential threats.
For persistent weaknesses, CISOs can implement workshops to educate employees and reinforce safe practices, creating a more vigilant workforce.
5. Balance Cyber Strategy with Business Goals
Security can sometimes feel like an impediment to business initiatives. To overcome this perception, CISOs should:
- Build strong relationships with senior leadership.
- Collaborate on secure implementations of new business projects.
- Position cybersecurity as a business enabler rather than a blocker.
A trusted CISO can justify proactive investments in security, emphasizing the long-term cost savings of preventing breaches. This ensures cybersecurity remains a strategic priority even in budget-constrained environments.
CISOs: Proactive Leadership is Key
By adopting a proactive, data-driven approach, CISOs can align cybersecurity efforts with organizational goals, strengthen security postures, and foster open communication with leadership. Metrics and transparency are essential tools for earning trust and securing a seat at the executive table.
