career

Cybersecurity Professionals Say High-Profile Incidents Boost Execs’ Credibility

A May ISC2 survey of nearly 800 cybersecurity professionals found that 76% believe leaders gain credibility by having managed real, high-profile security incidents, indicating a shift in attitude toward executives who have experienced breaches. Key traits fostering trust include strong communication of risk to senior leadership, a long-term cybersecurity vision, and the ability to work effectively with boards to secure budgets, emphasizing the importance of experienced and transparent leadership in cybersecurity.

https://www.itbrew.com/stories/cybersecurity-professionals-say-high-profile-incidents-boost-execs-credibility

Nearly Half of Cybersecurity Pros Want to Quit – Here’s Why

A recent survey by Harvey Nash reveals that nearly half of cybersecurity professionals are considering quitting due to a significant mismatch between their workload, the evolving threats posed by AI, and inadequate compensation and recognition. Despite the increasing challenges and pressure from new AI-powered threats, many security specialists feel undervalued, leading to waning motivation and a high desire to change jobs, highlighting a critical risk for organizations relying on their cyber defenses.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/nearly-half-of-cybersecurity-pros-want-to-quit-heres-why/

Why Hiring ‘AI Engineers’ Won’t Work

The article argues that the role of an “AI engineer” is a myth because AI work encompasses diverse functions requiring different skills and mindsets. It outlines three essential AI engineering archetypes—prototypers, builders, and scalers—each focusing on distinct phases from rapid experimentation to production scaling, and emphasizes the need for companies to hire and assess talent based on these specific roles rather than expecting a single person to cover all AI responsibilities. This nuanced understanding is crucial for enterprises to build effective AI teams and avoid costly mismatches.

https://www.cio.com/article/4162080/why-hiring-ai-engineers-wont-work.html

7 Reasons You Keep Getting Passed Over for CIO

Many experienced IT leaders struggle to secure CIO roles not due to lack of skills but because they operate as order takers rather than strategic business influencers. Successful CIO candidates shift focus from technology delivery to driving business outcomes, build relationships beyond IT, communicate business value effectively, lead decisively amid uncertainty, develop replaceable teams, understand industry nuances, and tell compelling stories that connect technology to organizational impact. Adopting these behaviors before earning the title is critical, as organizations tend to promote those who already act like CIOs.

https://www.cio.com/article/4159338/7-reasons-you-keep-getting-passed-over-for-cio.html

Tech’s Acceleration Paves CIOs’ Path to the Corner Office

As digital technology becomes integral to business operations, 67% of CIOs now aspire to become CEOs, leveraging their comprehensive understanding of enterprise processes and digital transformation leadership. Experienced CIOs who have transitioned to CEOs emphasize the importance of broad business acumen, delegation, entrepreneurial spirit, and strategic risk-taking to successfully lead organizations beyond IT functions, reflecting a growing trend of IT leaders advancing to top executive roles.

https://www.cio.com/article/4154281/techs-acceleration-paves-cios-path-to-the-corner-office.html

The Path to CIO

Irving Wladawsky-Berger reflects on his career journey to becoming a CIO, emphasizing that while technical expertise is essential, it is business acumen, management capability, trust-building, and effective communication that ultimately lead to success in top technology leadership roles. He highlights that the CIO role has evolved from a focus on IT infrastructure to a strategic position deeply connected to business outcomes, requiring leaders to shift from hands-on technical work to guiding teams and aligning technology with organizational goals.

https://www.cio.com/article/4155823/the-path-to-cio.html

What It Takes to Step Into a C-level Technology Role

The article by Isaac Sacolick discusses the essential skills and mindset required to transition from leading digital transformation initiatives to assuming a C-level technology leadership role such as CIO or CTO. It emphasizes the need for leaders to develop strategic accountability, influence without being the technical expert, continuous learning—especially in AI and emerging technologies—and the ability to lead through ambiguity while driving enterprise-wide innovation and operational stability. The piece highlights practical steps including lifelong learning, social learning through peer communities, and gaining business acumen to successfully step into C-level positions.

https://www.cio.com/article/4154063/what-it-takes-to-step-into-a-c-level-technology-role-2.html

Transforming Diverse Experiences Into a Storied CIO Career

Denise Russell Fleming, CIO and EVP of technology and global services at BD, shares insights from her diverse career spanning business, marketing, customer support, and IT that uniquely positioned her to lead large-scale transformations. Highlighting the importance of trust, collaboration, and a growth mindset, Fleming discusses her journey to the CIO role, experiences with complex initiatives, and advice for CIOs aspiring to board service, emphasizing that effective leadership in technology is deeply rooted in understanding both people and business.

https://www.cio.com/article/4148293/transforming-diverse-experiences-into-a-storied-cio-career.html

69% of CISOs Open to Career Move — Including Leaving Role Entirely

69% of CISOs are considering job changes due to overwhelming responsibilities, lack of authority, and exhaustion, leading some to consider leaving cybersecurity altogether. The role is increasingly seen as unsustainable without proper support, compensation, and influence in decision-making. This talent exodus is driven by systemic failures in role design, with CISOs often having high responsibility but inadequate power, causing many to seek alternative career paths. Addressing these issues requires restructuring the role to enhance authority and support for CISOs.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/4127704/69-of-cisos-open-to-career-move-including-leaving-role-entirely.html

Mentorship & Diversity: Shaping the Next Gen of Cyber Experts

Notable figures like Patricia Voight, CISO at Webster Bank, emphasize the importance of mentorship and diversity in cybersecurity, advocating for career development and understanding business needs in a constantly evolving industry. Voight encourages aspiring professionals to pursue cybersecurity, highlighting the sector's growth and the necessity of human expertise amid advancements in AI and automation.

https://www.darkreading.com/cybersecurity-careers/mentorship-and-diversity-shaping-the-next-generation-of-cyber-experts

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