According to the International Data Corporation, 41.6 billion IoT devices will be connected to the internet by 2025. And then there are the personal computers and dedicated devices with sensitive information and data explicitly used to surf the web.
While this explosion of connectivity has provided numerous opportunities for companies to grow, it also means a heightened cybersecurity risk for organizations. Information security is now more crucial than ever – even for traditional, non-digitized industries.
The Role of Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) In Today’s IT Explosion
CISOs are executives responsible for protecting data and intellectual properties internally and overseeing the company’s overall digital security. The role was rather specific in the past, but it has become more business-focused, enabling strategic goals. COVID-19 has accelerated this maturation of the CISO role. The goal is to evolve CISOs to take a more strategic and stronger stand against developing issues. CISOs are needed and expected to enable businesses instead of just managing security.
Cryptocurrencies have also presented a whole new era of digital threats, but the concept of blockchain has at the same time opened new doors as well.
Today’s CISO must:
- Ensure alignment with business tactical and strategic goals
- Inform and advise the executive team
- Ensure regulatory compliance (to ISO standards)
- Manage company risk and assess vulnerabilities
- Staying up to date with the latest dangers and technologies available
- Maintaining a balance between budgetary constraints and digital security requirements
- Build relationships between staff to increase information sharing and security management
- Train employees for potential risk and increase awareness in the process
- Prioritize and strategize security paths
- Act as security advocate for the company
- Spearhead security operations and cyber intelligence
- Manage identity access and other access controls
- Forecast future threats and mitigate associated risks accordingly.
The evolving role of CISOs means that their importance in the industry has increased considerably. However, smaller companies may not always be able to afford these services. That is why the prevalence of outsourced CISOs is increasing now, allowing companies to make the most out of their undeniable circumstances.
