EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

As a CISO, it’s easy to feel like the lone defender of a castle, and to simultaneously sense that you can easily be destroyed. However, CISOs should be seen as five-star generals, who can lead teams and the business to victory. You’re able to balance risks, software usability and costs for the betterment of the organization. But conveying this viewpoint to the C-suite and the board can prove challenging, and requires ninja-like political skills and communications savvy.

CISOs must take a business-minded approach to their activities, using the language of profitability and value-add. This is the language that resonates with corporate executives. Business communication skills organically develop over time, but you may also want to focus on fine-tuning them. Ultimately, it’s a combination of conversational facility, a polished corporate executive presentation, and technical expertise that lead to professional success.

CISOs who can identify security risks, outline challenges and provide an overview of opportunities are in-demand, but the talent is in short supply. “The CISO must think of themselves as a unicorn: a mythological creature so rare as to have thought not to exist,” writes one expert.

For in-depth info about developing these dual skill-sets, visit CISO Magazine.