With technologies like AI driving significant opportunities for growth and efficiency, threats like cybersecurity presenting major risks, and regulators and stakeholders pushing boards to be more engaged on technology governance – most boards could benefit from the been-there-done-that expertise of CISOs.
Paul and Doug, I could not agree more. Over the course of my IT career, starting in the early '80s (yes, the last millennium!), I watched the analogous evolution of the role from Manager-EDP to CIO. The same thing is happening now for CISOs (often, starting out as the infrastructure manager)! In a blog post, From Cyber Guardian to Boardroom Luminary – A Personal Story About CIO Evolution Parallels, with Career Advice, I provided some several specific career development considerations. They can be found here: https://bobchaput.com/from-cyber-guardian-to-boardroom-luminary-a-personal-story-about-cio-evolution-parallels-with-career-advice/
Thank you, Bob and Doug. I agree and thank you for the additional thoughts. The CISO position is only 30 years old, and its place in company leadership and the development of the people serving in the role is evolving quickly.
Paul, as you may remember, I’m one of those “digital directors”. While not a CISO I was a CIO (even before the role of CISO became common place). You describe a situation that CIO’s were in 20 years ago. Where their expertise defined them as “one trick”, it took a while for CIOs to start acting like executives ahead of their technical knowledge. CISOs must do the same. Demonstrate that they are true executives who happen to have a very critical technical skill.
Paul and Doug, I could not agree more. Over the course of my IT career, starting in the early '80s (yes, the last millennium!), I watched the analogous evolution of the role from Manager-EDP to CIO. The same thing is happening now for CISOs (often, starting out as the infrastructure manager)! In a blog post, From Cyber Guardian to Boardroom Luminary – A Personal Story About CIO Evolution Parallels, with Career Advice, I provided some several specific career development considerations. They can be found here: https://bobchaput.com/from-cyber-guardian-to-boardroom-luminary-a-personal-story-about-cio-evolution-parallels-with-career-advice/
Thank you, Bob and Doug. I agree and thank you for the additional thoughts. The CISO position is only 30 years old, and its place in company leadership and the development of the people serving in the role is evolving quickly.
Paul, as you may remember, I’m one of those “digital directors”. While not a CISO I was a CIO (even before the role of CISO became common place). You describe a situation that CIO’s were in 20 years ago. Where their expertise defined them as “one trick”, it took a while for CIOs to start acting like executives ahead of their technical knowledge. CISOs must do the same. Demonstrate that they are true executives who happen to have a very critical technical skill.