The role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) continues to be more critical—and more challenging—than ever before. Organizations depend on CISOs not just to protect their assets but to enable secure, resilient growth. The first 30 days in this role are pivotal, setting the tone for both the CISO’s effectiveness and the organization’s approach to cybersecurity.
Yet many CISOs make a common mistake: they come into the position with a technical focus, diving straight into security assessments, vulnerability scanning, and system audits. While these are all important, a truly impactful CISO understands that their role extends far beyond technical expertise. At its core, the CISO role is a business leadership position, one that requires a deep understanding of the company’s mission, strategic goals, and unique challenges.
New CISOs often find themselves navigating a complex web of expectations, from executives who want robust security without sacrificing agility to departments that may see security as a hindrance to their goals. The most successful CISOs approach their first 30 days as an opportunity to build relationships, gain a comprehensive understanding of the business, and demonstrate the strategic value of cybersecurity.
They listen actively, ask questions that reveal the organization’s real security priorities, and align themselves with the business’s mission from day one. Rather than taking immediate steps to overhaul security protocols or launch new tools, a savvy CISO will focus on learning how the business operates, where it makes its money, and what keeps its stakeholders up at night.
The transition to a new CISO role should be anchored in understanding how the company generates revenue, what obligations exist in client contracts, and how different business units operate. By analyzing these factors, a CISO can design a security strategy that not only protects but actively supports business growth.
For instance, a deep dive into the company’s financials helps a CISO recognize where security investments will have the highest impact, allowing them to allocate resources efficiently and make a compelling case for security initiatives that align with financial goals. Similarly, understanding client contracts can reveal critical obligations, such as compliance requirements or data protection standards, that must be prioritized.
Additionally, building strong relationships with business leaders, particularly in high-stakes departments like sales, is vital. When a CISO understands the pain points and operational friction faced by these departments, they are better positioned to offer solutions that enhance productivity rather than hinder it. This approach establishes security as a partner to the business rather than an obstacle. For instance, by aligning with the sales department’s goals and addressing specific security concerns, CISOs can help streamline processes, reduce delays, and build goodwill across departments.
An effective CISO also takes time to understand the company’s culture. Every organization has its own risk tolerance, decision-making processes, and communication styles. By aligning security strategies with the company’s cultural context, a CISO can implement measures that are embraced by employees rather than resisted. This cultural alignment fosters an environment where security practices become part of the company’s DNA, embedded naturally into daily operations.
Of course, establishing trust is critical.
A CISO’s first month is an opportunity to set the tone for their leadership, define their personal brand, and earn the trust of both their team and the broader organization. A strong CISO knows that trust is not gained through mandates or technical prowess alone. It requires transparency, clear communication, and a genuine commitment to serving the organization’s best interests. By focusing on relationship-building and prioritizing the needs of both their direct reports and the larger workforce, a CISO can foster an environment where security is seen as a shared responsibility.
Here, we explore seven key ways new CISOs can maximize their first 30 days in a new role, emphasizing actions that go beyond technical assessments to focus on strategic, business-oriented approaches. From listening actively to key stakeholders and diving into financial data to building relationships with business unit leaders and understanding company culture, each of these actions sets a CISO up for success by aligning security priorities with the organization’s core objectives. By the end of this article, readers will have a clear roadmap for approaching the CISO role as a business leader who enhances both security and business value.
In the following sections, we’ll discuss each strategy in detail, examining why each is crucial and how CISOs can implement them effectively. With a thoughtful, business-first approach, CISOs can lay a strong foundation in their first 30 days—establishing themselves not only as technical custodians of security but as essential partners in the company’s journey toward growth and innovation.
1. Approach the Role as a Business Leader, Not a Technical Expert
Key Mistake to Avoid: Focusing Only on Technical Vulnerabilities
For a newly appointed CISO, the temptation to focus purely on the technical side of security is significant, especially given the highly technical nature of the role. The instinct to immediately start assessing systems, scanning for vulnerabilities, and diving into security logs is understandable. However, this approach can be a key mistake, particularly in the first 30 days.
The CISO role is not just about identifying weaknesses in firewalls or patching systems. It’s about understanding how security intersects with business operations, revenue generation, and customer relationships. If a CISO spends their first days buried in technical reports without first understanding the organization’s broader context, they risk missing out on vital opportunities to integrate security as a key enabler of business success. A purely technical focus can also isolate the CISO from the rest of the leadership team, preventing them from becoming a strategic partner who contributes to overarching business goals.
Focus on Business Impact
The first 30 days in a CISO role should be focused on understanding how security fits into the business’s larger strategy. Security is not a siloed operation; it affects every aspect of the organization. Therefore, the new CISO must take the time to understand how business processes work, where risks are most impactful, and how security can mitigate those risks without slowing down innovation or operational efficiency.
A CISO must align security initiatives with the company’s financial goals, sales objectives, and customer commitments. For example, ensuring that customer data is secure is not just a technical issue; it’s a core part of building trust and maintaining business relationships. Similarly, when security measures are designed in ways that support business agility, rather than hinder it, they help facilitate, not obstruct, the organization’s growth. A security leader should aim to drive security efforts that enable the company to expand its digital capabilities safely and comply with evolving regulatory standards while maintaining productivity.
Understanding the business landscape—both internal and external—is the foundation of a CISO’s strategic approach to security. By emphasizing business impact, the CISO can position security as an enabler of business success and not as a roadblock to progress.
2. Listen, Learn, and Ask Questions
Adopt a Learning Mindset
The first 30 days as a CISO are as much about learning as they are about leading. New CISOs should embrace a mindset of active listening and curiosity. The most effective leaders, especially in complex roles like that of the CISO, spend significant time observing and understanding their new environment. Active listening enables them to gather insights into the current security posture, pain points, and challenges that other departments are facing.
By listening closely to team members, executives, and stakeholders, new CISOs can uncover valuable information that may not be immediately obvious from technical reports or security logs. For example, the CISO might learn that certain security measures are seen as a barrier to innovation by the marketing department or that compliance issues are impacting sales’ ability to close deals with certain customers. By asking thoughtful questions and demonstrating a genuine interest in others’ perspectives, the CISO builds relationships and positions themselves as a trusted advisor, not just a technical expert.
Learn from Peers and Teams
In addition to learning from leadership, it’s critical to engage with cross-functional teams. These interactions will help the CISO understand the current security challenges and the day-to-day realities of security operations. Whether through formal one-on-ones, team meetings, or informal coffee chats, the CISO should make time to hear directly from security engineers, risk managers, and other key stakeholders.
Moreover, meeting with other departments—such as HR, IT, and legal—helps the CISO identify any gaps in communication and security processes. For instance, HR might highlight employee training gaps, IT may discuss system integration issues, and legal may identify compliance risks that have yet to be addressed. These insights will guide the CISO in crafting a security strategy that is both comprehensive and informed by all parts of the business.
3. Analyze the Company’s Financial Health and Strategic Goals
Deep Dive into Financials
A thorough understanding of a company’s financial health is essential for any leader, and it’s especially critical for a CISO. The CISO must assess the company’s financial statements to understand its current revenue model, profitability, cost structure, and growth trajectory. The financial health of an organization directly impacts its ability to invest in security measures and respond to emerging threats.
For example, if a company is operating in a growth phase with significant new investments in technology, the CISO should focus on scalable security solutions that support this growth, while ensuring adequate resources are allocated to protect new business initiatives. Conversely, if the company is in a cost-cutting phase, the CISO will need to balance security measures with financial prudence, finding solutions that minimize risk without unnecessary spending.
Explore Strategic Objectives
Beyond financials, the CISO needs to understand the company’s strategic objectives. Whether it’s expanding into new markets, launching new products, or improving operational efficiency, these goals will shape the security roadmap. For example, if the company plans to expand into new regions with different regulatory requirements, the CISO must understand the security implications of operating in those markets. Similarly, if the company is prioritizing a digital transformation, the CISO should ensure that the security infrastructure is scalable and flexible enough to accommodate new technologies.
Understanding the company’s strategic goals allows the CISO to proactively design a security strategy that is not only reactive but also forward-thinking, anticipating the security needs of the business as it grows and evolves.
4. Review Client Contracts and Key Agreements
Identify Security Commitments and Obligations
Client contracts are a goldmine of information for a CISO. They often contain critical clauses about data protection, compliance requirements, and security obligations. The CISO must review these contracts in detail to identify any commitments that the company must fulfill to meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.
For instance, certain industries, like healthcare and finance, have strict data protection and privacy requirements. A CISO needs to ensure that the organization is fully compliant with these requirements and prepared to meet any obligations outlined in client contracts. Failing to do so could lead to legal action, reputational damage, or financial penalties.
Evaluate Third-Party Risks
Additionally, client contracts often involve third-party vendors and partners. These vendors may handle sensitive data, have access to company systems, or influence security practices in ways the company may not fully understand. A CISO must assess the security posture of these third parties and ensure that they meet the company’s security standards.
The CISO should review contracts to ensure that proper safeguards are in place, such as security certifications, audit rights, and incident response protocols. This will help mitigate third-party risks and ensure that the organization maintains a strong security posture throughout its entire supply chain.
5. Build Relationships with Business Unit Leaders
Meet with Sales and Other Key Departments
The CISO’s success depends on building strong relationships with business unit leaders. This includes understanding their specific needs, challenges, and how they perceive security. Sales teams, for example, may see security measures as obstacles to closing deals, especially when compliance requirements create delays or restrict access to customer data.
By meeting with sales leaders, the CISO can better understand these challenges and explore how security measures can be adjusted to facilitate business objectives while maintaining a strong security posture. For instance, streamlining the approval process for customer contracts or providing sales with secure, easily accessible customer data can help close deals faster while reducing risk.
Develop Cross-Departmental Collaboration
The CISO must also engage with other departments, such as IT, product development, and marketing, to ensure alignment on security goals. Building cross-departmental relationships ensures that security is not seen as an isolated function but as a critical element of every department’s success.
By fostering collaboration, the CISO can ensure that security policies and protocols are well understood across the organization and integrated into daily operations. This collaborative approach helps reduce friction between departments and ensures that everyone understands their role in maintaining security.
6. Understand and Adapt to the Company Culture
Assess the Organization’s Culture
In the first 30 days, the CISO needs to deeply understand the company’s organizational culture, as this will significantly influence the success of any security initiatives. Every company has its own set of values, traditions, and communication styles, and these cultural elements shape how security policies are perceived and implemented.
To gain insight into the company culture, the CISO should:
- Observe Leadership Styles and Decision-Making: Pay attention to how senior leaders communicate, make decisions, and address conflicts. For example, if the organization values transparency, the CISO should focus on open communication about security issues, risks, and challenges. If the company is hierarchical and centralized in decision-making, the CISO may need to present security proposals in a way that aligns with this structure.
- Conduct One-on-Ones with Key Stakeholders: Meet with senior leaders, department heads, and team members across different functions to understand their perspectives on security. In these meetings, the CISO should focus on learning how security is currently viewed—whether it’s seen as a necessary evil, an afterthought, or a competitive advantage. Understanding these perceptions will help the CISO tailor security strategies that resonate with different parts of the business.
- Evaluate the Level of Risk Tolerance: Company culture will heavily influence the organization’s approach to risk. Some organizations are more conservative, requiring strict adherence to security protocols and policies, while others are more risk-tolerant and may prioritize innovation over stringent security measures. Understanding where the company stands on the risk tolerance spectrum allows the CISO to develop a security strategy that matches the organization’s comfort level with risk.
- Assess Communication Channels: Understanding how information flows within the organization is crucial. If communication is top-down, the CISO might need to develop more formal processes for disseminating security information. If the company has an open, collaborative communication style, the CISO can leverage informal channels, like cross-departmental workshops, to build security awareness.
Adapt Your Security Strategy to the Company’s Culture
Once the CISO has assessed the culture, they can tailor the security strategy to ensure it aligns with the organization’s way of working. This approach ensures that security becomes an integral part of the company’s operations rather than a set of external rules that people try to avoid. Here’s how the CISO can align their strategy with the company’s culture:
- Lead by Example: If the company values innovation, the CISO should adopt a flexible security approach that encourages creativity while maintaining strong safeguards. For instance, security measures could be integrated into new technology projects from the start, with the CISO working closely with the IT and R&D teams to ensure security is embedded without stifling innovation. On the other hand, if the organization values stability and predictability, the CISO might adopt a more rigid, well-documented approach to security, ensuring that every new initiative is carefully vetted through established security protocols.
- Engage Employees in Security Awareness: The CISO should introduce training and awareness programs that reflect the company’s culture. In a company that encourages self-directed learning, the CISO could implement gamified, online security training. In a company with a more formal, structured culture, classroom sessions led by subject matter experts might be more effective. In both cases, the goal is to ensure employees understand the importance of security, feel empowered to act in secure ways, and see security as part of their role.
- Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration: In organizations that emphasize collaboration, the CISO can establish a “security champion” program where representatives from different business units participate in shaping the organization’s security posture. These champions can communicate security practices to their teams and help integrate security into their daily operations. In more siloed organizations, the CISO may need to invest in relationship-building, working to create bridges between departments that don’t normally collaborate on security issues.
- Incorporate Security into Business Processes: A strong company culture means that security should be a part of everyday business activities. For instance, if the company values agility, the CISO should ensure security controls are designed to be non-disruptive. This might mean using automated security testing or rapid deployment of patches in a way that supports the business’s need for speed. Conversely, if the company values compliance and stability, the CISO might put more focus on ensuring that all security controls are meticulously documented and that compliance standards are rigorously followed.
Understanding and adapting to the company culture isn’t just about avoiding friction—it’s about using cultural insights to make security initiatives more effective and embraced across the organization.
7. Build Trust and Define Your Brand
Establish Your Presence as a Trustworthy Leader
Building trust is essential for any CISO, especially in the first 30 days. Security is often seen as a necessary evil, and new leaders in this space need to create relationships of trust across the organization. The new CISO should focus on fostering trust through transparency, competence, and alignment with the company’s goals. Here’s how to do that:
- Communicate Clearly and Frequently: Establish regular, clear communication with all stakeholders—team members, executive leadership, and external partners. Early in their tenure, the CISO should provide regular updates on what they’re learning, the progress of security initiatives, and how they plan to address immediate challenges. This open dialogue signals transparency and builds trust within the organization.
- Be Visible and Approachable: While it’s easy for a CISO to get absorbed in technical details, being an approachable leader who engages with all levels of the organization is vital. This can be achieved by holding regular “office hours,” where employees across departments can come and ask questions or share concerns. It’s also crucial to make time for informal interactions—such as attending company events, participating in town halls, or even having casual conversations with team members about their roles.
- Lead by Example: A CISO’s leadership is most effective when it mirrors the behaviors they want to see in others. By demonstrating personal integrity, consistency, and a strong work ethic, the CISO becomes a model for how others should approach security and risk management. For instance, if the CISO promotes data privacy, they should also be vigilant about protecting their own data and personal information. Leading by example helps ensure the team follows suit.
- Build Relationships with Key Stakeholders: The CISO must engage with a wide range of stakeholders to ensure alignment with business objectives. This includes having regular conversations with the CEO, CFO, and other C-suite executives to understand their vision and challenges. Building relationships with the board of directors is equally important, as they will often be the ones making high-level strategic decisions that impact security resources and priorities.
Set the Tone for Your Leadership
The first 30 days offer an opportunity to set the tone for your leadership, which will influence the entire security program. Defining your leadership brand helps establish credibility and build trust from the outset. Here’s how to do that:
- Be a Visionary: A strong CISO doesn’t just manage the day-to-day aspects of security but also develops a long-term vision for the organization’s security posture. By setting a clear direction for where the company’s security efforts are headed, the CISO can inspire confidence in their ability to guide the organization through future challenges. The vision should not only focus on risk mitigation but also on enabling business growth securely. By showing how security can be an enabler of innovation, the CISO sets a positive, forward-looking tone.
- Create a Culture of Security: The CISO should lead efforts to embed security into every aspect of the organization’s culture. This involves creating an environment where security is seen as everyone’s responsibility, not just that of the IT or security team. By promoting this cultural shift, the CISO ensures that security is not something employees feel they must do begrudgingly, but rather something they actively contribute to as part of their roles.
- Be Adaptable and Resilient: A CISO’s leadership will be tested, particularly when things go wrong. The ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to new situations, and remain calm under pressure is vital for building trust and credibility. Employees, executives, and board members alike will look to the CISO for guidance during times of crisis. How the CISO reacts to these situations will define their leadership brand.
- Define Leadership Principles: The CISO should communicate their leadership principles early on. Whether it’s a focus on transparency, collaboration, or innovation, these principles will guide decisions, actions, and interactions across the organization. Clearly defining these principles not only sets expectations but also helps ensure that the CISO’s approach is aligned with the organization’s values.
- Seek Feedback and Evolve: A critical component of building trust is showing that the CISO values feedback and is open to evolving their leadership style. By seeking input from team members and stakeholders, the CISO demonstrates humility and a willingness to continuously improve. This fosters a culture of mutual respect and collaboration.
By establishing a trusted leadership presence and setting the tone for security in the organization, the CISO can effectively navigate the complexities of their role and drive a successful security strategy forward.
Conclusion
Contrary to what many may believe, the first 30 days as a CISO are not about jumping into technical details or solving immediate security issues—they are about laying the foundation for long-term success. By focusing on understanding the company culture, building relationships, and aligning security with business objectives, a CISO can become an indispensable leader.
It’s during this initial period that trust is earned, credibility is established, and the strategic direction for the organization’s security posture is set. In fact, these first 30 days are as much about leadership as they are about security expertise. With a clear understanding of the organization’s goals and challenges, the CISO can influence change, guide innovation, and protect the business from emerging threats. As you step into this crucial leadership role, your ability to listen, learn, and adapt will directly impact your success.
The decisions you make in these early days will ripple through your team and the organization for years to come. To move forward, embrace a proactive, business-aligned approach to security and ensure you’re building relationships that extend beyond your team. The second next step is to develop a security strategy that balances risk with the company’s growth objectives.
Lastly, focus on communicating this vision with clarity and conviction, ensuring that security becomes a shared responsibility across all departments. Your first 30 days are a chance to transform security from a siloed function to a driving force behind business success. It’s a strategic journey—one that starts with your leadership.