Page 172 - Cyber Defense eMagazine December 2023
P. 172

Speaking Cyber-Truth: The CISO’s Critical



            Role in Influencing Reluctant Leadership

            By Craig Burland, CISO, Inversion6



            In the C-Suites and boardrooms of modern enterprises, there’s an unwelcome guest that often disrupts
            the conviviality of strategic discussions: cyber-truth. Cyber-truth is the unvarnished reality of risk delivered
            by the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) that shines a light on current shortcomings, dampens
            the euphoria around new initiatives, and quells the enthusiasm for new ventures. As organizations tackle
            digital transformation, pursue critical certifications, or leverage modern capabilities like AI, the CISO’s
            role in unveiling pitfalls and potholes is indispensable. Like Seuss’ Lorax, the modern CISO must be the
            voice of cyber-truth.

            “I am the CISO.  I speak for the risks.”

            Facts about unpatched vulnerabilities, non-compliant practices, and unsecured applications are often
            met with skepticism at the senior levels of an organization.  Requests to “prove the risk”, quantify the





            Cyber Defense eMagazine – December 2023 Edition                                                                                                                                                                                                          172
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