The Role of the CISO Must Change

Saugat Sindhu—the Senior Partner and Global Head of Advisory Services and Cybersecurity and Risk Services at Wipro Limited—explains why the role of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) must change. This article originally appeared in Insight Jam, an enterprise IT community that enables human conversation on AI.

The world of cybersecurity is rapidly evolving, and with it, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) must also change. As businesses face an unprecedented shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals, the pressure on CISOs to protect their organizations while enabling business growth has never been greater. Gartner forecasts that global security and risk management spending will grow by 14.3 percent in 2024, reaching over $215 billion. Modern CISOs must chart a course through numerous cybersecurity challenges and strategic priorities to stay ahead.

The Evolving Role of the CISO

Traditionally, CISOs were considered technical experts focused on safeguarding the organization’s information assets. Since the early 90s, their role has evolved from implementing basic security controls to encompassing compliance, risk management, and collaboration with senior leadership. CISOs now play a decisive role in aligning cybersecurity with business strategy, driven by the increasing complexity of cyber threats and the need for proactive risk management.

Today, CISOs are strategic leaders who contribute to overall corporate governance. They are no longer merely enforcers or auditors but business enablers. Adapting quickly to emerging technologies like AI and cloud computing, which have dramatically reshaped cybersecurity, requires a more dynamic approach.

To be effective, CISOs must shift the conversation from discussing threats and risks to focusing on the business impact, whether financial, regulatory, or reputational. By re-orienting the conversation this way, CISOs can communicate more effectively and align their cybersecurity strategies with broader business objectives. Modern CISOs must secure a permanent seat at the boardroom table and communicate cybersecurity risks clearly, quantifying the technical aspects and the reputational and financial impacts. Collaboration with Chief Risk Officers (CROs), Chief Audit Officers (CAOs), and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) is essential, as cybersecurity is a collective responsibility across the entire organization.

Challenges in the Current IT Environment

The responsibilities of CISOs have grown increasingly complex in today’s socio-economic environment. Disruptive technologies like cloud computing and generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have added new layers of complexity to their role. The rapid evolution of cybersecurity has pushed CISOs into unfamiliar territories. In the past, CISOs had a clear grasp of the IT stack they were protecting. However, the last 15 years have shifted to distributed computing—from data centers to cloud services, mobile devices, IoT, and AI—significantly expanding the attack surface.

This rapid change has required CISOs to adapt quickly as security boundaries evolve and the supporting infrastructure becomes more complex. A recent survey by ISC2 reveals that 88 percent of cybersecurity professionals believe AI will significantly impact their jobs, now or in the near future. While these technologies offer significant benefits, they also introduce new vulnerabilities that must be managed.

3 Reasons Why the Role of the CISO Must Change

To tackle today’s cybersecurity challenges, CISOs need a game plan that syncs with business goals. This means understanding tech and business angles, managing risks, and keeping the communication lines open with senior leaders. Building a proactive security culture and staying ahead of new threats is critical. By aligning cybersecurity efforts with the company’s objectives, CISOs can help drive growth while keeping the organization secure. Here’s how:

1. Evolving Threat Environment

The complexity and sophistication of cyber threats have increased significantly over the years, making it more challenging for CISOs to manage the IT infrastructure they are responsible for. The emergence of advanced persistent threats and AI-powered attacks requires a more adaptive and dynamic strategy. Today’s CISOs must prioritize threat intelligence, continuous monitoring, and flexible defenses to stay ahead of these evolving dangers.

The widespread adoption of IoT devices, remote work, and cloud services has exponentially increased the risks. This shift has pushed CISOs into new and challenging territories, requiring swift adaptation to manage the increased complexity. The focus is no longer solely on protecting infrastructure but also on supporting business growth while maintaining security. As digital transformation shifts business priorities, CISOs must assess the business impact of their cybersecurity decisions.

2. Integration with Business Strategy

Cybersecurity has evolved from being solely about data protection to becoming a central element of business strategy. In the past, CISOs were often viewed as gatekeepers, focused on enforcing policies without deeply integrating with business operations. Today, however, cybersecurity is directly tied to a company’s reputation, customer trust, and financial success. As organizations increasingly rely on digital infrastructure and data-driven decision-making, aligning cybersecurity and business strategy becomes essential.

The evolving tech environment has compelled CISOs to collaborate more closely with business leaders, not just corporate leaders like the CAO, Chief Privacy Officer (CPO), and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Today, their objective is to strengthen business resilience. For example, while generative AI significantly benefits marketing and product teams, CISOs must balance growth opportunities with associated risks. Unlike 20 years ago, when decisions were more straightforward, modern CISOs must develop strategies that support innovation and adopt a more nuanced approach that aligns technology with business success.

CISOs need to be strategic partners, working closely with other leaders to guarantee cybersecurity initiatives support business goals, drive growth, and promote innovation. This means securing current operations and finding new business opportunities through secure digital transformation. For instance, as companies embrace AI and machine learning, CISOs must implement these technologies safely, balancing the push for innovation with sound risk management. By demonstrating that cybersecurity can empower businesses, CISOs can shift the perception from being a cost center to being seen as vital contributors to competitive advantage.

3. Regulatory and Compliance Demands

The regulatory environment has grown increasingly complex, with laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) introducing significant penalties for non-compliance. Compliance was once treated as a separate function, with security teams focusing on specific regulations without integrating these efforts into broader business strategies. Today, the CISO must embed regulatory compliance into the organization’s core operations, collaborating closely with other departments to meet legal standards without sacrificing operational efficiency.

Successfully managing these demands is vital, as any misstep can lead to significant legal and financial repercussions. The responsibilities of a CISO now extend beyond ensuring compliance to anticipating and preparing for regulatory shifts. A proactive approach requires staying updated on global regulatory trends and assessing their potential impact on the organization. By integrating compliance into the overall risk management strategy, CISOs can guide their organizations through this complex environment while staying agile.

Practical Advice for Aspiring CISOs

Aspiring CISOs aiming to move from a technical role to a strategic leadership position should concentrate on developing strategic awareness, participating in corporate governance, continually expanding their knowledge, and fostering a proactive security culture within their organizations. This involves translating technical risks into business language, staying updated on the latest cybersecurity threats, and ensuring they and their teams are well-trained and certified. By adopting these approaches, aspiring CISOs can successfully transition into strategic leaders who drive business growth while maintaining fast, reliable, and secure cybersecurity measures.