Smart Cybersecurity Spending, as CISOs Architect Resilience and Grade Themselves – BSW #387

To truly become indispensable in the boardroom, CISOs need to meet the dual demands of defending against sophisticated adversaries while leading resilience strategies.

CISOs face mounting pressure to spend wisely on security. Yet, many organizations remain vulnerable due to misplaced priorities and inefficient budgeting. This article explores common pitfalls and offers strategies to strengthen cybersecurity.

What are some good, bad and ugly ways to measure how your security and technology leaders are doing? More important, how do you measure and improve your own growth as a CISO?

Cybersecurity is a high-stakes, high-pressure field in which CISOs and their teams constantly battle threats, compliance requirements, and business expectations. The demand for 24/7 vigilance, sophisticated attacks, and a shortage of skilled professionals have led to a burnout epidemic in the industry.

For CISOs, this isn’t just a personal issue, it’s a business risk. A burned-out team is less effective, more prone to errors, and more likely to leave, creating knowledge gaps that further strain security operations. So, what can CISOs do to protect their teams and themselves from burnout? Here’s a structured approach.

In the five years since the start of the Covid pandemic, the conversation about remote work versus return-to-office has centered largely on employees. But organizations also benefit when leaders are remote—when they live and work primarily in a different place than their teams—because they are able to hire from a broader pool of candidates and bring in stars who would be unlikely to move to the company’s headquarters. While there are still concerns around overseeing employees, building team culture, and maintaining visibility, there are ways to overcome them, including: conscious planning and use of time and travel; monitoring performance through technology and structure; and listening and creating connections.

Have you ever had a conversation where you felt truly heard? Like the person in front of you wasn’t just waiting for their turn to speak but was actually engaged, understanding, and responding in a way that made you feel valued? That’s the power of active listening.

On the flip side, we’ve all experienced conversations where someone nods absentmindedly, throws in the occasional “yeah” or “uh-huh,” but you can tell they’re not really there. That’s passive hearing—and it’s one of the biggest communication killers in our daily lives.

Cybersecurity constantly evolves, but some books have stood the test of time, shaping how professionals think about security, risk, and digital threats. Whether you’re a CISO, a seasoned expert, or cybersecurity enthusiast, these must-reads belong on your shelf.