CISOs, BISOs, and the Power of Positive Leadership – BSW #290

CISOs should be oriented around the transformational — they should be champions of the proactive; they should be builders; They should be thinking creatively, rigorously, and technically about the kinds of innovations that could produce the greatest safety for the organization. They should be transforming GRC programs to subvert its traditional paper-policy approach to engaging their peers and take a more active, engineering approach (Policy-as-code is fertile ground here).

As the global cyber threat landscape expands, destructive cyber attacks engender alarming levels of damage, and risk management reemerges as a business focal point, the nature of the CISO role has begun to shift.

The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is currently in a state of flux, especially as risks change and as more stringent regulations and compliance mandates come into play. This once niche role is now critical for modern enterprises, and requires the recalibration of expectations around the job’s function.

Start off 2023 with this list of five realistic resolutions aimed at helping you end the never-ending cycle of "maybe next year."

1. Stay up to date on trends and technologies.
2. Broaden the scope of your strategy.
3. Strengthen your culture of security.
4. Schedule recurring security assessments.
5. Nurture your important internal partnerships.

Even the most tech-savvy leaders can use an effective liaison between corporate and cybersecurity—the business information security officer (BISO) bridges communications gaps and acts as a security evangelist and gatekeeper.

Back near the end of December 2022, Mario Greco, chief executive at insurer Zurich, told the Financial Times that cyber attacks are set to become “uninsurable.”

As you might expect, these comments have set off global alarm bells.

The cyber security industry is facing a massive talent shortage. As the CISO or CTO of your enterprise, you’re well-aware of the challenge that is finding and retaining high-caliber cyber security talent. Security employees cite continuous burnout, competitive offers and lack of career progression opportunities as reasons for leaving workplace environments.

The cyber security pipeline remains narrow, and the path to a game-changing talent strategy is complex and ambiguous. How should your organization aim to attract talented, experienced cyber security professionals?

Positive leadership can have a powerful impact on team morale, productivity, and overall success. Here are a few key benefits of positive leadership:

• Improved team performance: Positive leaders create a supportive and collaborative work environment, which can lead to better teamwork and higher levels of productivity.
• Increased employee engagement: When employees feel valued and supported by their leader, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their work.
• Better decision-making: Positive leaders tend to approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset, which can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving.
• Higher retention rates: Employees are more likely to stay with a company when they feel valued and supported by their leaders.
• Improved company culture: Positive leadership can help create a positive company culture, which can have a ripple effect on all aspects of the business.