Take Off the Superhero Cape
The CISO role is still fairly new in most organizations, and many leaders in that role have risen through the ranks and been in builder mode – developing both their program and their standing in the leadership pantheon at their company. In addition, just as many of us are still growing in our roles, so are our next level leaders. They may not have handled major issues, and we don’t want to pass the buck or overburden them. This mentality makes it natural to think, “I need to take this one myself,” whether “this one” is presenting to a business group, taking the lead in the response a project issue, or providing an update to the board.
Being a hero who solves the problem every time feels good, and it may provide the best or fastest solution in many cases, but this approach comes with a price. In today's increasingly complex and relentless threat landscape, this "do-it-all-yourself" approach is not sustainable and may be detrimental to the security posture of the organization and the well-being of its leader in the long term. Maybe it is time to take off the superhero cape and let others step up.
The truth is the sheer magnitude and complexity of a cyber program for most organizations is outpacing the capacity of a single individual. Attempting to be involved in every decision, every incident response, and every new technology implementation is a recipe for burnout, both for the leader and their team.
When leaders stretch themselves too thin, strategic thinking falls by the wayside, and eventually the program will suffer. Talented security professionals who don’t get the opportunity to grow and take ownership themselves can become disengaged and seek opportunities elsewhere, too. The hero, in a well-meaning attempt to manage everything, inadvertently becomes the problem.
The alternative? Trust, delegate, prioritize, and focus.
Trust is the foundation of successful delegation. Cybersecurity leaders must cultivate an environment where team members develop skills and knowledge and are empowered to use them. This doesn't mean the leader is abdicating responsibility; it means they are developing and entrusting capable individuals to act.
Delegation frees up the leader's time and mental bandwidth to concentrate on more strategic initiatives. Instead of getting bogged down in operational weeds, leaders can focus on shaping their program’s alignment with business objectives and foster crucial relationships with business units and executive leadership.
Secondly, delegation is a powerful tool for team development. When individuals are given responsibility and autonomy, they gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and build confidence. This not only strengthens the team's overall capabilities but also creates a pipeline of future leaders. A leader who successfully delegates is, in essence, mentoring and multiplying their impact.
Of course, effective delegation requires a thoughtful approach: understanding team members' strengths and weaknesses, providing development training, giving clear instructions and expectations, establishing checkpoints, and being available for support without hovering. Setting them up for success.
When almost everything can feel urgent in the realm of cybersecurity, prioritization is crucial, and it takes time and focus. The latest vulnerability, the newest attack vector, the constant stream of alerts – it's easy to get caught in a cycle of constantly fighting fires without it. Cybersecurity leaders need to take time to work with their teams and business stakeholders to identify the most critical assets and significant risks. This thoughtful, risk-based prioritization, informed by understanding of the business, allows leaders to drive actions and best use of time.
While taking decisive action is crucial in a crisis, a leader's primary role should be to build and guide a team capable of handling such situations. The true hero in cybersecurity is the one who empowers their team to be the heroes. Take off the cape and understand that true strength lies in the team’s collective capability.
Hold Fast
Stay True