Security Staff Acquisition & Development, Data Security, Leadership, Network Security

Are you Trusted to be a Security Leader?

By Michael Santarcangelo

"Trust is the lubrication that makes it possible for organizations to work." -- Warren Bennis

There is no shortage of quotes to capture the importance of trust: hard to earn, easy to lose, and essential to our success as security leaders.

Yet a troubling trend is emerging: the trust we need to be successful as security leaders is eroding.

Perception surveys report a growing distrust between security leaders and executives. And it goes both ways. An increasing number of security leaders lack confidence in their executives and board. At the same time, the executives and board find security teams getting in the way of running the business; they express a loss of confidence.

Worse yet, executives feel security leaders are incapable of leading other parts of the organization. The perception surveys reveal the lack of trust.

The opportunity for security leaders is clear. Build trust in your organization to get the results you seek.

Hands-on opportunity to reconsider the elements of trust

The advisory board for the 2016 CISO Leadership Summit echoed the need to build trust. The request was to learn how to introduce fundamental concepts in an interactive way.

We will kick off the summit focused on trust. And we promise –no "trust falls" or other concocted ice breakers are part of the agenda.
Instead, we will focus on the important elements of trust, and how they merge for the individual and collective benefit of our organizations. The topics we'll explore:
• What is trust, anyway?
• How do you know if you can trust someone?
• How do others decide if they can trust you?
• How do you establish trust with others?
• How do you handle broken trust – with an eye toward rebuilding?

The goal is simple: create a safe environment to explore trust. Then practice it by building trust with your colleagues, security leaders just like you.

The concept of trust sets the stage for a successful day. It becomes our foundation for sharing experiences and asking questions. The same sort of trusted environment you need to lead your organization.

Insights and actionable steps packaged to bring back for your success

Establishing trust with your peers is important for a successful CISO Leadership Summit. Taking what you learned and putting it to practice with your colleagues is essential – and more powerful.

We're designing the program to keep your momentum going. Take the lessons learned back home. Use what you learned with your team and those around you. Build, repair, and increase trust in your ability to protect information.

Prove your leadership by building mutual trust with your executives and business leaders. A key step on your path to your success.
Trust us. We got this.

Reimagined from the ground up, the summit is an event designed by and for security leaders. Place your trust in us to offer you what you need for a more successful year: support on your leadership journey.

Join us in Orlando on April 3, 2016 to kick off InfoSec World on a powerful footing. Take a day in a setting known for delightful entertainment and remarkable experiences.

Start the day with the insights you need to buck the trend. Be the trusted security leader in your organization.



Michael Santarcangelo develops exceptional leaders and powerful communicators with the security mindset for success. As the founder of Security Catalyst, he draws on two decades of experience bringing together and working academia, government, and industry to advance security. Focused on elevating and advancing other leaders, Michael shares insights as a published author and contributing editor for CSO Magazine. His work is focused on guiding leaders and teams on the best next step of their journey. Michael will be leading the CISO Leadership Summit that precedes InfoSec World 2016.

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