With cyber risk viewed as a clear and present risk, board members have to be aware of the risks facing their company in order to steer the organization on the most secure path. However, this isn’t always straightforward.
Historically, cybersecurity was an area that was reserved for technologists working in remote server rooms. After the massive breaches like Equifax and Colonial Pipeline, however, it’s now evident that cyber security is a real and present business risk that affects every aspect of an enterprise.
In the process, boards are demanding more from their CISOs and security teams. Board members need to see how a properly trained security team can defend themselves against advanced threats, whether it’s by investing more in new security solutions and ensuring staff are properly trained. This message must be conveyed to non-technical executives within the boardroom.
One way to accomplish this is to integrate security goals with business objectives and utilize real-time metrics. The board can be provided with the information they require to make informed decisions by providing regular communications that present the evolution of security measures, a decrease in index of risk and other key metrics. Another approach is to narrate impact, rather than pass on numbers. Tell the story. Through sharing a real-life story of how the quick actions of your team averted a major threat, you can demonstrate to your board that they are being protected and that their efforts are making an impact.