Why Cybersecurity is a Strategic Business Function

Interesting article that provides a deep dive into the evolving role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and the complex challenges they face in today's cybersecurity landscape. One key takeaway is the shift from a purely technical focus to a more strategic and business-oriented approach. Gone are the days when CISOs could solely rely on implementing technical solutions to mitigate cyber threats. Now, they must navigate the intricate balance between security requirements and the operational needs of the business. The discussion on the increasing integration of cybersecurity into operational strategies underscores the growing recognition of cybersecurity as a fundamental component of overall business success. It's no longer sufficient for CISOs to operate in isolation; they must align their security initiatives with broader business objectives and communicate the value of cybersecurity investments to stakeholders across the organization.As businesses strive for agility and innovation, there's often pressure to prioritize speed over security, potentially compromising the integrity of the company's data and systems. However, as evidenced by the staggering costs of data breaches increase, the repercussions of neglecting cybersecurity can be severe and far-reaching. Moreover, the emphasis on the need for CISOs to develop negotiation skills and effectively communicate security risks to the board and business units speaks to the importance of collaboration and buy-in from key decision-makers. CISOs must be adept at articulating the potential consequences of security vulnerabilities in business terms, making a compelling case for investment in cybersecurity measures. The practical recommendations, such as focusing on resilience, building technical expertise, and investing in automation, offer valuable insights for CISOs looking to enhance their cybersecurity programs. By prioritizing risk reduction, fostering a culture of security awareness, and leveraging technology to streamline security operations, CISOs can better position their organizations to withstand cyber threats and minimize the impact of potential breaches. This is a timely reminder of the critical role CISOs play in safeguarding their organizations against cyber threats. By embracing their evolving responsibilities, staying abreast of emerging threats, and fostering collaboration across the business, CISOs can effectively navigate the complexities of the modern cybersecurity landscape and ensure the long-term resilience of their organizations.

Cybersecurity Can’t Just Be Technical Anymore — It Must Be Strategic. Cybersecurity today is business-critical. That means we need leaders who can bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen. This article from highlights a fundamental shift: The next generation of cybersecurity leadership must speak the language of risk, revenue, and resilience — not just firewalls and frameworks. Boards don’t want to hear about zero-days; they want to know: * How does this threat impact our bottom line? * What’s the risk to shareholder value? * How are we enabling secure innovation? Security must be positioned as a business enabler, not an obstacle. That requires CISOs and security leaders to evolve into strategic advisors — embedded in the fabric of decision-making, not siloed in IT. We don’t just need more technical experts.
We need business-minded leaders who understand security. If you're in cybersecurity, now is the time to sharpen your financial fluency, understand your organization’s goals, and align your strategies with business impact.
That’s where influence — and real change — begins. #Cybersecurity #Leadership #CISO #BusinessStrategy #RiskManagement #DigitalTransformation #ExecutiveLeadership

Cybersecurity: A strategic business investment; not just a cost. Investing in cybersecurity isn’t about avoiding the next breach, but about building a resilient, trusted, and future-ready sustainable business. * Cybersecurity is business-critical infrastructure. It protects revenue streams, brand reputation, and customer trust. * It's an enabler of innovation and growth. Without secure foundations, digital transformation efforts become a high risk. * It's a differentiator. Clients and partners increasingly choose businesses that take security seriously. * It reduces long-term enterprise risk. Is your organization investing in security as a strategic advantage? How are you framing cybersecurity spend, as a cost or as a strategic investment? #CyberSecurity #CISO #BusinessLeadership #RiskManagement #SecurityInvestment #DigitalTrust #ExecutiveAlignment #Resilience

Board Directors Beware: Cyber Risk = Business Risk! #Cybersecurity has become a top priority in boardrooms around the world-yet recent data shows a high percentage of #boarddirectors are not cyber-literate and many boards are not fully addressing #cybersecurity and #AI issues. I’m fortunate; I served on a #cybersecurity /#AI / #risk management company board, so learned a lot and interacted with many top #CISOs…but it’s not enough! With evolving #technology, AI, and aggressive #cyber targeting, it’s critical to have #cyberliteracy. I attend quarterly cybersecurity conferences, retreats, and events to learn about TODAY’S risks to be the best-educated board director I can to help the companies I serve. #Cyberattacks are high stakes; they can halt #operations, erode #customer trust, and drive down #shareholder value. “#Ransomware, #supplychain compromise, and #data breaches are not theoretical risks—they are board-level events. According to IBM, the average cost of a data breach now exceeds $4.5 million globally. But the real damage is often intangible: #brand erosion, #customer churn, and lost #market opportunities. Personal Liability Risk! Recent @SEC rules mandate #public companies disclose material cybersecurity incidents and detail their #risk #governance programs and processes. The message is clear: boards are expected to have cyber literacy, #oversight, and engagement. Cyber risk isn’t just dangerous, it can have personal liability implications for both #public and #private board directors. The Right Questions to Ask: •   What are our top cyber risks and how are they managed?  •    Do we conduct regular threat modeling and #resilience testing?  •    Is the #CISO empowered and integrated into strategic decision-making?  •    How is security measured, and what metrics should reach the #BOD?  •    How do you know if your #security program is failing? Cybersecurity isn’t about fear—it’s about informed #governance and risk management. Cyber risk IS business risk and should be treated accordingly.” (Many thanks and total credit to Rick Orloff, CISSP, CAPI, Fortune 100 CISO) If you’re a board director and would like to attend a world-class cybersecurity retreat or conference for board members in July, please DM me. Take a look at Rick Orloff’s article: easy 2-minute read with the key points for boards to understand about cybersecurity risk, attacks, AND WHAT TO ASK the CEO and executive team to best protect against breaches. What are your thoughts, questions, what have you learned from cyber attacks? Khwaja Shaik Keyaan Williams Mel Reyes Shannon Noonan Tia (Yatia) Hopkins NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Private Directors Association®Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) #riskmanagememt #AI #technology #boardofdirectors https://lnkd.in/eGvcTD8W

I was once asked by the Executive Leadership of an organization to not send the risks in an email. And let me tell you, those risks were clearly translated from technical issues to business risks. That moment was a wake-up call. It highlighted a troubling reality: despite the rising threat landscape, many C-suite leaders still treat cybersecurity as an afterthought. A recent report by Raja Mukerji from ExtraHop published in Dark Reading confirms this gap—only one-fifth of organizations report genuine C-suite engagement in managing cyber risks. This is dangerous. Cybersecurity isn't just an IT issue; it's a critical business function that can make or break an organization. To effectively counter threats like ransomware and data breaches, cybersecurity must be woven into the fabric of business strategy. The C-suite needs to lead by example, prioritizing cybersecurity, investing in defenses, and ensuring alignment between business goals and security needs. It's time to move beyond lip service. By elevating cybersecurity to a core business priority, organizations can better position themselves to thwart attacks and ensure long-term resilience. #Cybersecurity #CIO #CISO #ceo #RiskManagement #Strategy

The boardroom is where #cybersecurity stops being a tech issue and becomes a business imperative. CISOs who translate risk into impact shape executive decisions. But too often, security is seen as a cost rather than an investment. #CISOs must bridge technical depth with strategic clarity -- trust drives influence. Influence is more than presenting threats. The goal is framing security as a driver of resilience and competitive edge. Success goes beyond securing systems; it’s securing buy-in. The best CISOs don't just report problems—they shape the solutions that move the business forward.

In an article last year for Foreign Affairs Magazine (https://lnkd.in/ggFTEU3z) on how to catalyze a sustainable approach to cybersecurity, Eric Goldstein & I emphasized that in every business the responsibility for cybersecurity must be elevated from the IT department to the CEO and the Board. As we noted, the trend is moving in the right direction: In a survey conducted by NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors), 79% of public company directors indicated that their Board’s understanding of cyber risk had significantly improved over the past two years. The same study, however, found that only 64% believed their Board’s understanding of cyber risk was strong enough that they could provide effective oversight. To improve those numbers, CEOs & Boards must take ownership of cyber risk as a matter of good governance. This is largely a cultural change: where cybersecurity is considered a niche IT issue, accountability will inevitably fall on the CISO; when cybersecurity is considered a core business risk, it will be owned by the CEO and Board. Recognizing that Board members in particular have special power to drive a culture of "Corporate Cyber Responsibility," I asked my Advisory Committee to make recommendations on how to advance such a culture. The effort, led by Dave DeWalt, highlighted several key points: Board members should be continuously educated on cyber risk, with cybersecurity considerations appropriately prioritized in every business and technology decision, and decisions to accept cyber risk scrutinized and revisited often. Boards should also ensure that the thresholds for reporting potential malicious activity to senior management are not set too high; “near misses” should be reported along with successful intrusion attempts, as much can be learned from them. In addition, Boards should ensure that adequate long-term security investments are available to address the safety consequences of antiquated technology with new investments focused on technology that is #SecureByDesign. Finally, Board members should ensure that CISO's have the influence & resources necessary to make essential decisions on cybersecurity, with decisions to prioritize profits over security made both rarely and transparently. The Committee also recommended developing a Cybersecurity Academy for Board Directors & set about establishing a pilot program, which was held yesterday at the U.S. Secret Service Training Center (https://lnkd.in/eVSzP_sx). Huge thanks to my teammate Kimberly C. for her partnership, as well as the awesome Ron Green for driving this effort with Dave & Katherine Hennessey Gronberg, and the great NACD team, led by Peter Gleason. Am super grateful to the Board Directors who participated in this inaugural effort and look forward to their feedback so we can further scale the program.