Here's how you can distinguish between a manager and a leader in Information Security.

In my experience, leaders information security excel not just in enforcing policies but inspiring their teams towards a shared vision. They're forward-thinkers, anticipating future challenges and opportunities. Leaders foster innovation, encouraging creative problem-solving and effectively communicate the importance of security to stakeholders. Unlike managers, leaders prioritize influence over authority, empowering team members to take initiative and lead projects. This approach cultivates a proactive security culture, where every employee understands their role in maintaining security

Here's how to distinguish between them: Manager in Information Security Focus: Maintains the current security framework. Responsibilities: Develops and implements security policies, procedures, and standards. Manages the security team and assigns tasks. Oversees security tools and technologies. Ensures compliance with regulations. Responds to security incidents. Skills: Project management, budgeting, technical knowledge, communication. Leader in Information Security Focus: Drives future security strategy and inspires the team. Responsibilities: Creates a vision for the organization's security posture. Empowers and motivates the security team. Communicates security risks effectively to leadership.

In my mind an information security manager's most valuable traits fall into two clear categories. 1. Ability to think critically and learn 2. Ability to enable others in the above This is a core recipe for driving scalable, sustainable growth and effectiveness in building cyber teams. Then we have domain knowledge and NIST is an excellent framework. ISO is useful but is very business orientated unless one removes the jargon and works with the intent of the standard (perhaps its inherent downfall, as its actually conceptually rather good). Personally I reversed my way into both by learning a wide set of risk and technical skills and these then became a great framework to consolidate with.

Managers in information security focus on task-oriented activities and are highly detail-oriented. They excel at planning, organizing resources, and ensuring that security policies and procedures are followed meticulously. Managers regularly monitor performance metrics, conduct audits, and address immediate security issues through established protocols. Their approach is often reactive, handling security incidents as they arise and ensuring that systems are compliant with regulatory requirements.

Managers need to lead because there's a close and wise relationship between the two functions. Also without the convivial skills of leadership I believe it's kind of hard to manage.

Enabling the best in people and being able to put one's personal aspirations to a side and realise that they can be better achieved if everyone wins. I cant stress this enough. But that takes a secure foundation emotionally which perhaps is a little different to the more individual contributor mindset that creates the great cyber expertise out there. So perhaps a balance of both. In any event, we must foster a culture of collaboration with our peers and supply chain to make it happen. Without collaboration we cannot affect change.

Leaders drive their teams to personal excellence and realize that each team members success is a reflection on their abilities and success as a leader. Leaders do this through listening, observing, coaching, advising and mentoring. It is about creating an environment where it’s encouraged to challenge the norms and invites creativity.

Leaders in information security possess a visionary mindset, looking beyond immediate tasks to anticipate future threats and opportunities. They inspire and motivate their teams by communicating a clear vision and purpose, fostering a proactive security culture. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, 64% of employees are more motivated to stay at a company if they feel their leaders communicate effectively and show vision.

Manager will make it hard for staff and force them to achieve goal at any price. Ignoring their well-being and fail to create a healthy environment. However leader would have create a healthy environment which would put the people first and establish a trust and recognize we are dealing with humans.

Leaders set long-term security strategies that align with the organization’s overall business objectives, promoting a proactive approach to threat management. They invest in innovative solutions and technologies, staying ahead of emerging security trends. Leaders work to embed a security-first culture within the organization, ensuring that every employee understands their role in maintaining security. Their holistic approach encompasses technology, processes, and people, aiming for comprehensive protection and resilience.

One thing I've found very helpful is to keep a good standard of managing in order to lead, also if you think from the other direction it's very wise to develop your own way of leadership in order to get a clear vision and view over any information for the safety and security system of any network, no matter what .