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I have spent many years, perhaps too many, working in the world of IT and information security. I can’t complain, I have to say, it has been rewarding. And I have noticed in recent years that there has been a considerable shift in how cybersecurity is perceived within organizations, with this function gaining greater importance and relevance. The personal influence of the CISO has been improving lately, both in terms of attitude and perception. They are more involved in helping the organization, moving away from being seen as a “blocker” and becoming an agent of change, more frequently participating in business decisions, becoming more visible, and having a greater impact on the organization.
In short, cybersecurity is increasingly becoming a function aimed at balancing risk with opportunity and innovation, serving as an objective and impartial source of information that helps executives make better decisions while supporting the organization’s goals and challenges. Or at least that is what we aspire to achieve as professionals in this field.
Unfortunately, cybersecurity is still seen in many Boards or Executive Committees as a technical issue, something that should be handled at lower levels by truly specialized staff. Moreover, interest tends to fade quickly, especially if, as cybersecurity leaders, we fall into the trap of using too much “jargon” that they don’t really understand. They often feel unprepared for a cyberattack, despite stating that cybersecurity is a top priority. Conclusion: there is still plenty of room for improvement in the relationship between top management, cybersecurity and CISOs.
What is certain is that senior leadership can no longer avoid their responsibility when it comes to cybersecurity. We also know that information security measures are much more effective when they have the leadership support.
How can we get C-levels fully engaged in cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is no longer purely an operational concern for organizations. It must be a radical mindset shift,moving away from a focus solely on compliance and perimeter/data security to emphasizing strategy and risk management. We need to cultivate behaviors that generate and promote the trust required by any organization in today’s digital world.
Board members and executive committees play a key role in shaping the culture and positioning of organizations concerning cybersecurity. However, they often lack a real comprehensive, self-assessment driven maturity model that can help them to self-assess their direct level of cybersecurity accountability.
Many executives still fail to grasp the strategic impact that cybersecurity risks can have on their companies. They need to understand the array of potential threats they face in today’s digital world. Most importantly, they must also grasp the strategies and specific plans required to combat those threats and to ensure their organizations are cyber-resilient. Senior executives should seek to turn their CISO into a strategic partner. With the unstoppable rise of cyber threats and risks, better alignment of priorities in this area will help strengthen the security, protection, and resilience of their organizations.
How to effectively communicate with C-level executives?
Here are some tips for engaging with C-level executives, based on my professional experience as a former CIO and CISO:
- Align your conversation with executives’ strategic priorities. It is imperative to understand the primary concerns of C-level executives: increasing revenue, optimizing operational efficiency, perhaps expanding into new markets or improving their reputation. Cybersecurity should be positioned as an enabler of these objectives—not just a protective measure or added cost but a strategic asset that can offer a distinct competitive advantage.
- Cyber risk impact. Help C-level executives understand and assess the risks of technology by emphasizing the potential damage a cybersecurity incident could cause on company operations. This extends beyond financial losses resulting from operational disruptions to include asset theft, customer data breaches and the legal and regulatory consequences due to third-party damages. Highlight the potential reputational harm, along with the substantial financial and administrative penalties that may result.
- Present real-life examples, especially from competitors. In my experience, real world examples can have a powerful impact in board meetings, helping capture their attention and effectively demonstrate and contextualize the importance of cybersecurity. Sharing examples of similar organizations that have suffered security breaches and the repercussions those incidents have had on their operations, reputation, and financial results, vividly illustrates the consequences of not taking cybersecurity seriously.
- Demonstrate the Return on Investment (ROI). Whenever possible, we need to present cybersecurity as a strateg