CISO - Information Systems Security Manager

What is a CISO?

The Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) is an IT security expert whose mission is to protect the company's information systems against internal and external threats. The CISO is responsible for ensuring that the company's IT security policies are implemented and respected, and for guaranteeing the confidentiality, integrity and availability of company data. He or she is responsible for data protection, thus ensuring the company's security.

What are the missions of a CISO?

Identifying security risks and defining an information security strategy

  • The CISO is responsible for auditing applications, CMS and other sites, and checking that the entire security system is operating correctly.
  • The CISO must anticipate all alert scenarios, which trigger protocols, through risk analysis, and resolve security issues. He or she must anticipate and resolve security flaws. He or she is an expert in the field of cybersecurity.
  • The CISO is responsible for defining short- and long-term information systems security policy.
  • It draws up a risk prevention plan and sets safety measures and standards. He must check the renewal of standards in order to meet legal criteria.
  • He must choose the best means to respond to the risks the company may encounter (antivirus, firewall, authentication...).
  • It exchanges activity reports with the management committee, i.e. justifying the strategies chosen and reporting on the results of actions implemented and projects in progress.

The CISO implements the security system

He sets up the appropriate security methods and tools, supports their implementation and proposes solutions in the event of incidents. He must also analyze the causes of incidents, manage projects for the implementation and creation of security infrastructures, advise other teams on risks, and draw up a risk report. In addition, he/she is responsible for drawing up and updating dashboards and KPIs, and monitoring incidents and solutions.

The CISO communicates with teams to raise awareness of IT security issues

  • It informs and trains teams.
  • The CISO keeps abreast of technological and legal developments
  • He needs to know the best solutions for protecting IT services and reducing risks.
  • It must keep abreast of new regulatory standards in order to remain within the legal framework and guarantee compliance of the information system.
  • He or she must keep abreast of new techniques and tools, the emergence of new risks and viruses, and possible cyber-attacks.

The CISO is a manager

  • The CISO manages teams (when the size of the company justifies it)
  • Organizing and monitoring project teams
  • He/she is responsible for managing the budget dedicated to IT service security, as well as project progress.
  • He is responsible for selecting and managing subcontractors.

What skills does a CISO have?

The CISO must have an excellent knowledge of developments in the IT security and network sector, as threats are constantly evolving and attackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The CISO must be able to keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies in IT security, to ensure that the company remains protected against potential attacks. His or her job is to be an expert in data security.

The CISO must also be able to monitor the impact of risks on the company's information systems. He or she must be able to identify vulnerabilities and potential risks to the company's information systems, and implement security measures to minimize these risks.

The CISO must work closely with other members of the company's IT team, as well as with senior management. He or she must be able to effectively communicate potential risks and threats to senior management, so that they can make informed decisions about IT security.

As head of information systems security, the CISO is also responsible for managing IT security incidents. In the event of an incident, the CISO must be able to react quickly to minimize damage and ensure business continuity.

In short, the CISO is a key player in the company's IT security management. With his or her expertise in IT security, ability to keep up to date with the latest security trends and technologies, and ability to work closely with other members of the IT team and management, the CISO can help the company maintain secure IT and protect sensitive data from potential threats.

How is the CISO profession changing?

The role of the Information Systems Security Officer (ISSO) has undergone major changes in recent years. Cybersecurity came into being with the advent of computer networks in the mid-1990s, when businesses began to connect to the Internet. However, few people understood the implications and challenges of this emerging public space.

To meet these new challenges, a large number of security managers were appointed in the early 2000s. Their main role was to ensure overall technical security. However, the problem quickly became more complex with the proliferation of viruses and the need to keep up with security patches. Thus, the title of Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) emerged, encompassing the responsibility of guaranteeing overall technical security.

Around 2008, a new challenge arose: securing the company's business activities according to their own risks, rather than focusing solely on a generalist technical approach. The role of the CISO thus evolved towards that of a risk manager. This evolution has required CISOs to develop an in-depth understanding of the company's businesses, and to adapt their missions accordingly.

Cybersecurity has continued to grow in importance, and today's CISO faces a major challenge: the transformation of his company. Small, isolated projects have given way to major investments. As a result, in large organizations, the CISO must metamorphose into a project manager, capable of simultaneously managing 60 to 80 projects on an international scale. He or she must ensure efficient budget allocation and real risk reduction, while reporting to senior management.

Many very large companies have cybersecurity departments numbering several hundred people. This operational and human resources reality presents considerable challenges for the historic CISO. Rapid transformation can lead to profound changes in teams and upheavals in their organization.

The role of the CISO is constantly evolving, from technical expert to business expert to project manager to crisis manager. CISO is becoming more and more a job for experts, requiring increasingly specialized skills.

Why use an interim CISO?

The experience of an IT interim manager is a fast and effective response to your CISO needs. His knowledge and experience are undeniable assets when it comes to meeting a one-off need, as he can be up and running in no time.

Thanks to his or her IT expertise and management experience, an interim CISO can quickly understand the challenges facing an information systems security department and help it to achieve its objectives.

Infortive Transition, a specialist in IT interim management, has the experience and network of interim managers to meet your CISO needs.

To find out more, listen to our podcast on cybersecurity

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