Page 173 - Cyber Defense eMagazine December 2023
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fines, or inflate business friction are some of the many tactics leaders follow to dismiss threats and move
            on  with  business.    But  the  SEC’s  disclosure  rules  and  recent  actions  up  the  ante  for  organizations
            choosing to ignore evidence, demanding that CISOs continue to convey the cyber-truths that leadership
            may be reluctant to face.

            Short of running Monte Carlo simulations for every risk, CISOs must distill intricate technical risks into
            business  impacts  that  resonate across  the  entire  organization.  Cyber security  is  a  complex domain,
            replete with technical nuances that can be challenging for non-technical leaders to grasp. A successful
            CISO, therefore, must be bilingual, fluent in the languages of both technology and business. They must
            translate cyber risks into tangible business impacts  -- potential losses in revenue, brand damage,  or
            regulatory non-compliance. This requires a nuanced understanding of risk management, accepting that
            not all risks can be eliminated, but they can be managed to an acceptable level.

            “I speak for the risks, for the risks have no tongues.”

            However, it’s not just about pointing out the problems, the CISO must also be a problem-solver.  They
            must work collaboratively with other leaders to find ways to enable the business while protecting it  --
            providing insights and recommendations that allow  others to make informed decisions based on the
            company’s risk appetite and strategic direction. But the effectiveness of a CISO is not just measured by
            the absence of breaches; it’s their ability to enable the business to take calculated risks confidently. The
            CISO must work to ensure that cyber security is built into the DNA of every project. They must advocate
            and  champion  secure-by-design  principles  to  ensure  that  security  is  not  an  afterthought  but  a
            fundamental component of every initiative. By forcing organizations to acknowledge and address cyber
            risks proactively, CISOs not only protect the enterprise but also contribute to its resilience and long-term
            success.

            CISOs also face the issue of risk prioritization. In an ideal world, every vulnerability would be patched,
            every threat neutralized, every alert investigated. However, resources are constrained, investments are
            finite, and not all risks are created equal. The CISO must often make difficult decisions about what to
            protect first, knowing that some areas will remain vulnerable. This requires a deep understanding of the
            business,  ensuring  that  the  most  critical  assets  receive  the  highest  level  of  protection.  It  requires
            negotiation,  trading  growth  now  for  mitigation  later.    It  requires  discipline  and  organization,  tracking
            exceptions  granted  to  revisit  risks  accepted.    Finally,  it  demands  further  transparency,  making  sure
            leaders understand and support the risk-reward calculation.

            “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.”

            Considering these responsibilities, the CISO's truth-telling is an act of strategic importance. Cyber-truths
            can no longer be sidelined or downplayed; they must be front and center in an organization’s strategic
            decisions, day-to-day prioritization, and dialogue with the market and regulators. This transparency not
            only  adheres  to  the  letter  of  the  law  but  also  builds  investor  trust  —  showcasing  the  company’s
            commitment to diligent risk management and operational integrity. Cyber-truth, while inconvenient, is
            now a commodity of public interest, scrutinized by investors and regulators alike. As digital risks morph
            into financial and reputational risks, the CISO’s role evolves into that of a strategist, advocate, evangelist,
            and communicator – a calling that is essential for navigating the treacherous waters of the digital age. By





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