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What CISOs should be ready for when they face the board

Boards of directors are increasingly paying more attention to IT security, and for good reason. They may personally be on the hook for liability should  there be a data breach or major business disruption.

So CISOs should be prepared to face tough questions. A recent column by Christophe Veltsos, associate professor in the department of computer information science at Minnesota State University, outlined what boards should be looking for. Although it’s aimed at directors — and board members reading this piece should also —  CISOs should keep in mind  questions like these are what they may run into:

  • Are profit-generating assets adequately secured?
  • How well-protected is high-value information?
  • Is the organization’s cybersecurity strategy aligned with its business objectives?
  • How is the effectiveness of the cybersecurity program measured?
  • Is the organization spending appropriately on security priorities?
  • Would the organization be able to detect a breach?
  • Does the cybersecurity area have access to adequate resources?
  • How does the organization’s security program compare to that of its peers?

Veltsos quotes a security publication advising directors to look at cyber risks “with a vigorous, skeptical, intelligent and methodical inquiry.” CISOs have been warned.

Read the full column here.

Howard Solomon
Howard Solomon
Currently a freelance writer, I'm the former editor of ITWorldCanada.com and Computing Canada. An IT journalist since 1997, I've written for several of ITWC's sister publications including ITBusiness.ca and Computer Dealer News. Before that I was a staff reporter at the Calgary Herald and the Brampton (Ont.) Daily Times. I can be reached at hsolomon [@] soloreporter.com

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