CISO

How to Be Less Busy and More Effective in Cyber

The article discusses how cybersecurity professionals often mistake busyness for effectiveness, highlighting a new framework inspired by MITRE ATT&CK that identifies common unproductive patterns like excessive meetings and fragmented attention that degrade performance. Experts emphasize focusing on meaningful outcomes rather than activities, managing work-life boundaries, and regularly assessing tasks and meetings to improve both security posture and personal well-being.

https://cisoseries.com/how-to-be-less-busy-and-more-effective-in-cyber/

CISO’s Perspectives – The 4 Recommendations to Sleep Without a Worry

Paul Bayle, Group CSO at Atos, discusses key recommendations for CISOs to manage cybersecurity effectively and maintain peace of mind despite evolving threats. Emphasizing the importance of thorough IT system mapping, investing in multiple security technologies, fostering strong governance involving cross-department collaboration, and engaging with expert ecosystems, he highlights the challenges posed by “unknown unknowns” and the need for continuous awareness, training, and management support to mitigate risks across the organization.

https://atos.net/en/lp/cybershield/cisos-perspectives-the-4-recommendations-to-sleep-without-a-worry

CISOs Are Meeting With Board Leaders, but Are They Being Heard?

CISOs are increasingly meeting with board members to discuss cybersecurity risks, as mandated by the SEC since 2023. While 95% of CISOs regularly update boards, many face time constraints—over half have only 15 to 30 minutes. A report indicates a lack of strong collaboration, with only 30% of boards rating their relationship with CISOs positively. Misunderstanding cyber threats could lead to organizational vulnerabilities, and CISOs risk blame for inadequate risk management. Experts advise on effective communication strategies to ensure boards accurately grasp cybersecurity issues.

https://www.itbrew.com/stories/2026/03/11/cisos-are-meeting-with-board-leaders-but-are-they-being-heard

CISO Conversations: Aimee Cardwell

A key conversation highlights Aimee Cardwell's journey from Netscape to her current role as CISO in Residence at Transcend, emphasizing the need for collaboration, low ego, curiosity, and addressing burnout in cybersecurity teams. She advocates for strategic and tactical balance in leadership, continuous learning, and a team-focused approach to problem-solving. Cardwell also notes the challenges in demonstrating successful security efforts and the growing threat of sophisticated AI-generated phishing attacks.

https://www.securityweek.com/ciso-conversations-aimee-cardwell/

What Changes When You’ve Been a CISO More Than Once?

CISO Series highlights insights from a February 2026 Reddit AMA with seasoned CISOs discussing job transitions, board communication, and vendor relations. Key points include the need for CISOs to translate technical risks into business terms for effective board discussions, the importance of building relationships over sales, and recognizing that while fundamental skills carry over, specific playbooks must adapt to new contexts. A clear distinction between full-time and retained CISO roles was also emphasized, reflecting on the necessity of understanding organizational commitment to cybersecurity outcomes.

https://cisoseries.com/what-changes-when-youve-been-a-ciso-more-than-once/

Half of US CISOs Work the Equivalent of a Six-Day Week

US CISOs face rising pressure, working six or seven days weekly; 45% put in 11+ extra hours, 20% over 16 hours. Emotional exhaustion affects 44%, 56% of C-level feel the same. Despite stress, 94% would choose a cybersecurity career. AI exacerbates workload but shifts focus to business skills; 85% feel pressure to improve communication and interpersonal skills. Organizations must adapt to avoid governance gaps as AI changes operational dynamics.

https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/half-us-cisos-work-equivalent/

We Gave the CISO Risk and Liability, and Now They Want Authority. The Nerve.

CISO roles face responsibility without authority, causing tension. Accountability exists but not equivalent decision-making power. Discussions include CISOs as risk advisors, the persistence of outdated security practices, and redefining employees from weakest links to strong allies. Experts stress the importance of adapting to new cybersecurity landscapes, emphasizing communication's role in enhancing security culture. Additionally, participants debate the severity of security breaches in public utilities versus logistics, ultimately favoring water supply threats as more impactful due to health implications.

https://cisoseries.com/we-gave-the-ciso-risk-and-liability-and-now-they-want-authority-the-nerve/

When We See White Smoke, We Know We Have a New CISO

CISO Series highlights cybersecurity leadership and relationships. David Spark and Andy Ellis host, featuring Russ Ayres discussing effective communication of security metrics to the board, emphasizing storytelling over mere numbers. The episode explores AI's potential impact on cybersecurity roles, advocating for a balance of specialists and generalists. The show discusses the cyclical nature of point solutions and platform integration in security tools, concluding with a segment comparing deepfake attacks and zero-day exploits, leaning towards zero-days being worse due to accountability.

https://cisoseries.com/when-we-see-white-smoke-we-know-we-have-a-new-ciso/

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

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

CSOs often face challenges that lead to job dissatisfaction and frequent turnover in leadership roles due to lack of support, resources, and executive engagement. Red flags indicating it's time to leave include leadership paying “lip service” to cybersecurity, cognitive disconnect between executives and CISO on risk management, and pressure to compromise ethics. Conversely, indicators of a healthy work environment include strong support from leadership and alignment on risk management. CISOs may transition into fractional roles to mitigate these issues and engage with organizations where they can influence positive change.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/4125356/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-2.html

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