How does the 2025 CISO look like?

As we enter in 2025, let’s take a look on how the role of a CISO has emerged this past year and what makes an effective CISO going into 2025. Few years back, we were into Cloud and Zero Trust journey and now we are moving into a new digital age which is constantly changing. With the advent of Gen AI, Regulatory demands and continuous change of the thread landscape, let’ s discuss on how does a 2025 CISO look like.?

I also read that in the next year or two – 75% of employees will acquire, modify or create technology outside IT’s visibility. Also, most organizations are becoming dynamic and changing their business strategy almost every quarter.?

Repositioning CISO from just being a cyber leader to a risk and resilience leader. It is not about security. It is about TRUST. ?CISOs will be viewed as Trust leaders and will be evaluated on how well the company can rely on CISOs ability to build that trust inside out and outside in.

?Who is an effective CISO??

• Storyteller and Communication - CISOs are expected to balance both tactical and strategic demands of the organization. Start to communicate in the business strategy and risks. Link security concerns with Business and legal risks. Through a well-formulated narrative of current risks and future risks to the enterprise, the CISO can effectively bring the security strategy closer to the business strategy.?
• Align Security to Humancentric security – 80% of most of the Data Breaches include Human element. There is a big scare of insider risk. This increases overall Enterprise risk. Prioritize actions and implement accountability and decision-making abilities. This includes – Review Business strategy and stop redundant security initiatives Create security champions and refresh your policies to meet the new needs Create human centric security design and introduce security awareness culture.
• Value Enabler – Enables Business through technology and risk. Understands the risks and helps leadership to take informed decisions for revenue growth and business opportunities.
• Legal Savvy – CISOs are now required to have legal acumen and work closely with Chief Legal, Compliance and Privacy Officers
• Workforce Builder – Focus talent management for future security risks and be the leader who can create other leaders.
• Build TRUST – Establish consensus and build trust with customers, leadership, peers and your staff.
• OUTSIDE-IN Approach – Evaluate and communicate Threats and mitigation strategies
• Investment Savvy – Effective CISO need to be smart to formulate Investment budgets which justifies business and risks. Develop a cutting-edge Investment plan which acts as a shield for the companies
• Outcome driven – Mindset of results. Develop outcome-based metrics to talk to Board and align with their expectations.
• Boardroom presence – This is very important and sometimes CISOs are expected to educate the board about Cyber, risks and new trends
• AI Alignment – CISOs to use behavioral AI to monitor threats and work to build resilience within the program
• Resilience officer – Resiliency will be the key and implementing it in the security proactive will be mandatory going forward.
• Executive Cyber Influencer – Work with senior leadership to influence decision which are in the best interest of the company.

I would like to welcome your thoughts on this.

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