Language of the Board: CISO-Board Time Falls Short and CISOs Struggle with Risk Management

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Cybersecurity Leaders Struggle to Connect with Boards, Measure Risk Effectively

A recent survey of 422 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) revealed that while a majority (61%) believe their organizations are highly competent in cybersecurity and cyber resilience, less than half (45%) said their organization’s risk appetite is effectively aligned with cybersecurity risk management. This disparity highlights a significant challenge faced by CISOs: communicating effectively with boards and executives about cybersecurity risks.

Challenges in CISO-Board Interactions

According to a report by IANS, Artico Search, and The CAP Group, CISO-board interactions are often limited to just 30 minutes per quarter and lack depth around emerging threats, such as those posed by artificial intelligence (AI). These interactions tend to focus on “listening” rather than active participation, making it difficult for CISOs to convey the true nature of cybersecurity risks.

Ben Wilcox, CTO and CISO at ProArch, emphasizes the need for CISOs to develop measurable, strategic, and AI-ready security metrics that can effectively communicate risk to boards and executives. “Security metrics often fail because they measure activity rather than actual risk,” Wilcox notes. “We need to build metrics that are actionable, contextual, and valuable, and that can connect with business impact.”

The Evolving Role of the CISO

The struggle to communicate effectively with boards is further complicated by the evolving role of the CISO. As the era of the technical specialist fades, CISOs are increasingly expected to be legally exposed executives who must consider not only system breaches but also potential personal indictment. The fine print of directors and officers (D&O) insurance policies and the exact wording of board minutes have become critical components of the CISO’s remit.

Developing Effective Security Metrics

In this context, it is essential for CISOs to develop a deep understanding of the business and its risk appetite. This requires a shift from measuring activity to measuring actual risk, and from focusing on technical metrics to focusing on business impact. By developing effective security metrics and communicating them clearly to boards and executives, CISOs can help ensure that their organizations are adequately prepared to manage cybersecurity risks.

Building Trust and Credibility

Ultimately, the key to success lies in building trust and credibility with boards and executives. As Wilcox notes, “When you can speak the language of the board, you can start to build trust and credibility, and that’s when you can start to have meaningful conversations about risk.” By developing the skills and expertise needed to communicate effectively with boards, CISOs can help drive business success and ensure the long-term security of their organizations.