leadership

Council Post: Five Influencing Strategies For CISOs To Charge Cyber Transformation

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The article argues that the most significant determinant of CISO success is not technical mastery but the ability to influence, collaborate, and navigate organizational politics. Drawing on ISACA’s 2025 survey that highlights soft skills as cybersecurity’s most significant gap, the author outlines five core strategies: seek genuine cross-functional input to make cybersecurity a shared, business-owned effort; embrace vulnerability by admitting what you don’t know and owning mistakes to build trust; nurture strategic relationships with influential stakeholders through one-on-one conversations and political awareness; act with courage in advocating for cyber’s visibility, governance and funding in competition with other priorities; and stay tightly connected to operational teams by being present, approachable and feedback-driven. The core message is that the insights needed to drive cyber transformation reside in people's heads, not in technical frameworks, and that mastering influence is what ultimately powers a successful, business-aligned cyber resilience program.

https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2025/12/16/five-influencing-strategies-for-cisos-to-charge-cyber-transformation/

CISO Communities – Cybersecurity’s Secret Weapon

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CISO communities provide a safe space for cybersecurity leaders to exchange information, seek advice, and support one another, enabling them to share insights and address challenges unique to their roles. Originating during Covid lockdowns, these closed groups foster trust and confidentiality among members, often using platforms like Slack and WhatsApp. They facilitate real-time communication, allowing CISOs to discuss sensitive topics, share threat intelligence, and offer mentorship while avoiding sales pitches. Overall, these communities serve as crucial networks that enhance cybersecurity leadership and resilience against threats.

https://www.securityweek.com/ciso-communities-cybersecuritys-secret-weapon/

Why Curiosity, Not Coding, Is the Top Trait CEOs Need for the Future

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Curiosity, not coding skills, is deemed essential for modern CEOs and workforce, driving engagement and productivity. Digitally engaged employees actively seek learning and innovation, leveraging AI for organizational growth. To foster this environment, leaders must lead by example and cultivate curiosity within their teams.

https://www.inc.com/joe-galvin/why-curiosity-not-coding-is-the-top-trait-ceos-need-for-the-future-of-work/91278344

How to Build Forward-thinking Cybersecurity Teams for Tomorrow

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Microsoft emphasizes adapting cybersecurity talent strategies in response to AI advancements, highlighting the need for critical thinkers alongside technical skills. Future cybersecurity teams should consist of diverse backgrounds to understand AI vulnerabilities better and promote innovative problem-solving. The recruitment process must focus on adaptability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a proactive learning culture. Effective onboarding and retention of talent are critical, emphasizing continuous training to keep pace with evolving threats. Microsoft advocates for a shift in hiring practices to build resilient cybersecurity defenses against AI-powered adversaries.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2025/12/02/how-to-build-forward-thinking-cybersecurity-teams-for-tomorrow/

Shared Accountability: the New Foundation of Cyber Leadership

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CISO roles have evolved: cybersecurity is now a business imperative, with increased personal liability for executives. Accountability issues arise as CISOs lack control over security processes, leading to blind spots and breaches. To rectify this, organizations need shared visibility and a true system of record. Collaborative risk management spreads responsibility, enhancing cyber resilience and compliance. Transparency builds trust and positions security as an organizational priority, reducing risks and potential liabilities.

https://www.scworld.com/perspective/shared-accountability-the-new-foundation-of-cyber-leadership

12 Signs the CISO-CIO Relationship Is Broken — and Steps to Fix It

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A healthy relationship between the CISO and CIO is key to organizational security and success, but common warning signs of trouble include undiscussed disagreements, exclusion from planning, undermining, lack of direct communication, and technology overlap. These strains often stem from unclear roles, conflicting priorities, and insufficient collaboration, leading to increased risk and operational misalignment. To fix this, both sides should align on risk and business goals, clarify responsibilities, maintain regular communication, and focus on collaborative business enablement.

https://www.csoonline.com/article/4094754/12-signs-the-ciso-cio-relationship-is-broken-and-steps-to-fix-it.html

7 Reasons IT Teams Fail to Exceed Your Expectations

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IT teams often fail to exceed expectations due to spending too much time on maintenance, lacking clear business objectives, acting more like service vendors than partners, and not always getting the necessary participation from business units. Ineffective project prioritization leads to overcommitment, while rising demands—especially for AI—can outstrip IT’s capacity. Additionally, many IT professionals don’t naturally think in business terms, which hinders their ability to deliver high-value results. Addressing these issues involves adopting automation, clarifying outcomes, fostering partnership, enforcing prioritization, setting realistic expectations, and training staff in business-oriented and AI skills.

https://www.cio.com/article/4094684/7-reasons-it-teams-fail-to-exceed-your-expectations.html

AI Is Taking the Lead: Now Managers Must Make People More Valuable, Not Replaceable

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AI is integral to business, raising challenges for leaders to enhance human value, not replace it. Employees embrace AI to boost productivity, with many open to AI in decision-making. However, management roles are threatened as firms streamline. While AI can add structure and fairness, human leaders are still valued for emotional intelligence and connection.

https://www.hcamag.com/us/specialization/hr-technology/ai-is-taking-the-lead-now-managers-must-make-people-more-valuable-not-replaceable/558323

Tackling Cybersecurity Burnout, Once and for All

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Cybersecurity burnout is on the rise due to relentless workloads, staff shortages, and increasing threats, with a significant impact on both personal well-being and business security. Burnout reduces productivity, job satisfaction, and team cohesion, while increasing turnover and the risk of security failures. Effective solutions include fostering supportive workplace cultures, investing in mental health resources, utilizing managed security services, and offering ongoing professional development to help teams stay resilient and engaged.

https://www.techradar.com/pro/tackling-cybersecurity-burnout-once-and-for-all

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