CISOs Unite, Cybersecurity Vendor Layoffs, & Audience First – BSW #288

If this is a new reality, that CISOs may be personally liable for actions approved by their CEO at the time but not by the successor CEO, then we need to replace the CEO with the board of directors as the decision making and liable authority for cyber incidents. There are some new rules being proposed by various governing bodies, such as the SEC, but the time is now for the CISOs of the world to unite!

At recent Cybersecurity Forum hosted by the Wall Street Journal a panel discussion titled Managing Cybersecurity in a Downturn (subscription required to view) came to agreement that an economic downturn could bring direct cuts to cybersecurity budgets, as well as surprise knock-on effects that could squeeze a CISO’s budget just as much.

If you find yourself in the position where your cybersecurity vendor has announced cuts, here are 8 things to consider to put yourself and your business in the best position to weather the potential storm:

1. Can vendors provide the same level of support, communication?
2. Where are vendor cuts being made?
3. What is driving the vendor’s layoffs?
4. What security service does the vendor provide?
5. Could security vendor layoffs create sabotage risks?
6. Could layoffs put a security vendor in breach of contract?
7. When should you consider switching security vendors?
8. What’s the silver lining of security vendor layoffs?

Writing things down has many benefits. For one, it helps us remember information more accurately and for longer periods of time. When we write something down, we engage both our visual and tactile senses, creating a stronger memory trace in the brain. This is known as the “memory palace” technique, which has been used for centuries to improve memory.

Being an exceptional public speaker is about much more than making an attention-getting introduction, giving great eye contact, and knowing what to do with your hands. It’s about addressing what your listeners want and need to hear — not what you want to say. To do this, you need to first find out what’s in the heads and hearts of your audience, so you can design your presentation to address those topics first and foremost. Find out in advance what motivates your audience — what gets them out of bed in the morning, and what keeps them up at night. You’ll need to understand the depth of knowledge that your audience has on the topic, and how to meet them where they are. In this article, the author discusses best practices for earning your audience’s attention and buy-in in order to deliver an effective speech that’s worthy of their time.

Talking too fast can mean losing your audience, and they may perceive you as nervous instead of confident. If you’ve tried to slow your speaking with no success, check out our comprehensive list of tips:

1. Measure Your Rate of Speech
2. Feel Your Rhythm: Not Too Fast, Not Too Slow 
3. Read Poetry, Aloud 
4. Do a Little Improv
5. Regulate Your Breathing
6. Add Pauses to Your Notes
7. Approach it Like City Driving: Vary Your Speed 
8. Be (a Little) Theatrical
9. Anchor to an Object or a Person
10. Learn the Art of Stage Presence