The CISO Zone

The title of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) first emerged in the 1990s, coinciding with the rise of large-scale cyberattacks.

Since then, the role has become nearly indispensable for any sizable organisation committed to cybersecurity. Globally, there are at least 32,000 CISOs, and this number continues to grow.

This section of the Cloud Community explores what the role involves, how to succeed, and how to act like and communicate with CISOs.

The CISO’s role

A CISO is typically a C-suite executive responsible for overseeing an organisation’s information security. They develop and implement policies to safeguard critical data.

While every business needs this function, CISOs are more common in larger organisations. Small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often combine this role with general security responsibilities. The role is particularly critical in organisations handling large volumes of sensitive data, such as financial institutions and government entities.

A CISO’s duties include crafting and executing information security policies covering risk management, policy development, compliance, and incident response.

On a daily basis, CISOs collaborate with other C-suite executives, like the CEO and CFO, as well as senior security professionals and technical teams, to assess and address potential cyber threats. Over time, they develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy aligned with the organisation's objectives, maintain regulatory compliance, manage ongoing risk assessment, and oversee employee training. They also work with vendors and partners on security matters and implement incident response plans, engaging external experts and legal authorities as needed.

CISO vs. CIO

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) has broader responsibilities than a CISO, managing the entire IT infrastructure of an organisation, not just security. The CIO is responsible for developing and implementing IT strategies, overseeing all IT staff, managing budgets, and ensuring that hardware, software, and data systems function optimally.

While the CIO’s role covers the organisation’s overall IT operations, the CISO focuses solely on security. Often, the CISO reports to the CIO, though some report directly to the CEO or COO.

CISO vs. CSO

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) traditionally oversees both physical and digital security, while the CISO focuses solely on cybersecurity.

In some organisations, the CSO is responsible for physical assets, site security, and employee safety. They may manage security staff and collaborate with law enforcement and external partners. In factories, banks, or similar environments, the CSO’s role may encompass physical security and emergency response planning.

The importance of a CISO

Every organisation, regardless of size, needs someone to manage data security. However, the scale of the business dictates whether a dedicated CISO is feasible.

Smaller organisations often combine the CISO role with the CIO position or hire a virtual CISO (vCISO), a part-time external consultant with specialised expertise. Larger organisations, or those handling sensitive data, are more likely to require a full-time CISO, given the potentially severe consequences of data breaches.

The CISO crystal ball

The importance of the CISO has grown alongside the rise in cybersecurity threats and increasingly strict data privacy regulations. What does the future have in store?

CISOs are now more involved with CEOs and other executives, and their role has expanded to include a greater strategic focus. A Gartner survey found that nearly 90% of corporate boards now view cybersecurity as a business risk, not just a technological one.

Emerging technologies, including AI, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), introduce new risks that require innovative security strategies. The shift to remote work has also created additional challenges. As attack surfaces expand, so do the consequences of security breaches, particularly with the rising frequency of ransomware attacks.

Bottom Line

The CISO plays a critical role in protecting an organisation's information and ensuring robust security measures are in place. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the importance of the CISO continues to rise, requiring a blend of technical expertise and leadership skills.