What will a CISO do during the first days of his work? There are effective CISO strategies you can do. What are they? Read this post and let’s find out.
Best CISO Strategies For New CISOs
Knowledge Is Power, So Take Inventory
Before you plan on improving your organization’s security posture, know first what you’re exactly dealing with. And one recommended approach is to take inventory of the security services and systems currently in place. Find out also whether metrics exist to measure performance.
Additionally, develop relationships with relevant stakeholders and gain their feedback. Also, leverage your predecessor’s research and tools. As well as to learn from their achievements and mistakes.
Define Your Security Posture
Your security posture also changes as the threat landscape changes. So, find out how secure your organization is. And always remember to define and improve your security posture as time goes by.
You must also gain deep knowledge of your corporate vulnerabilities. Because that will help you become proactive. Especially in addressing shortcomings and proper safeguard of your data.
Build Your Team
“All for one, one for all” as the saying goes. Thus, we can say that a great team makes the difference between success and failure. A CISO not only engages in different departments. But he also makes sure that his strategic initiatives have the right backing from a passionate team.
A team that’s basing on commitment, accountability, and mutual trust.
Additionally, make sure to meet all the employees currently involved in your security-related projects. Take time also to identify if you have enough resources on your team. As well as the skills needed to make plans happen.
Moreover, a successful CISO needs to provide enough incentives for his team to stick in the long run. After all, implementing an organization-wide and sustainable change will need to take a “village.” And not just a “one-man-show.”
Communicate Effectively
A good CISO not only has technical knowledge. But combines that knowledge with a strategic vision and has excellent communication skills. CISOs must be effective communicators to get buy-in for their security projects.
If you’re not confident with your communication skills, then take some professional training. Besides, according to Deloitte, CISOs invest a lot of time to get buy-in and support for their security initiatives.
Thus, communication is one of the critical factors. So, the more effective you communicate, then the easier it will be to gain executive cooperation.
Increase Employee Security Awareness
No doubt employees are the first line of defense against cyberthreats. But at the same time, they can be the weakest link of an organization. So make sure to conduct regular security awareness programs for all employees. This step can help prevent insider threats or negligence.
Moreover, when preparing a curriculum for security awareness training, make sure to include the following:
- Secure email practices.
- How to avoid malicious software.
- Secure internet browsing practices.
- Strong passwords.
- How to report security incidents.
Get The Support Of The Board
CISOs must report to the executive management or the board. Remember, effective CISOs engage actively in boardroom discussions. They also have visibility on relevant information that they need to succeed.
