As organizations grow more interconnected and increasingly reliant on digital systems, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has taken center stage in corporate strategy. Gone are the days when cybersecurity was viewed as just a technical concern. In today’s cyber landscape, it is a strategic business imperative. The CISO must not only defend the organization’s digital assets but also align the security vision with broader corporate objectives, ensuring business continuity, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance.
The role of the CISO has evolved far beyond monitoring firewall logs and enforcing password policies. Modern CISOs are now expected to act as trusted advisors to the C-suite, influence business strategy, and cultivate a culture of security throughout the organization. Whether in a small business or a large enterprise, the decisions made by CISOs directly impact business resilience, customer trust, and the bottom line.
With the rising complexity of cyber threats and the stringent regulatory landscape, the pressure on CISOs has never been higher. A single breach can cause devastating financial and reputational damage. Thus, stepping into the role of a new CISO requires a methodical, strategic approach. The first 90 days in this position are crucial—defining the trajectory of security leadership and setting the stage for long-term success.
As companies grow increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure and cloud services, the CISO must protect the organization’s data, ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and mitigate cybersecurity risks. More than ever, CISOs are being called upon to act not only as technical experts but as business leaders who can balance security with the organization’s operational goals.
Cybersecurity breaches can be catastrophic for organizations, causing financial loss, reputational damage, and operational disruption. Therefore, the CISO’s job is not just to react to cyber threats but to proactively build a robust security framework that prevents these incidents from occurring.
This often requires engaging with every level of the organization, from the board of directors to the front-line employees, to foster a culture of security. As companies face heightened risks from ransomware, phishing, and insider threats, the CISO plays an indispensable role in shaping the company’s resilience in an unpredictable environment.
The first 90 days in a new CISO role are crucial for establishing the foundation of security leadership. This period is a time to learn, listen, and assess, but it is also an opportunity to make early moves that set the tone for long-term success. The decisions and actions made in the first three months will determine whether the CISO gains the trust of key stakeholders, identifies the organization’s most pressing security needs, and creates a roadmap that aligns with broader business objectives.
In a new role, CISOs must immediately establish credibility while also taking the time to understand the company’s operations, risk tolerance, and strategic priorities. Failing to properly navigate this transition can lead to misalignment with business goals, lack of support from leadership, or, worse, an undetected breach during the transition period.
A structured 30-60-90 day plan helps CISOs break down this critical early phase into manageable steps. The first 30 days focus on building foundational knowledge of the business and security environment, the next 30 days involve deepening that understanding and identifying key risks, and the final 30 days are dedicated to creating a long-term security strategy that is aligned with the organization’s mission. By following this phased approach, CISOs can ensure they are moving in the right direction while demonstrating value early in their tenure.
In these critical first three months, new CISOs need to immerse themselves in understanding the business, building relationships, and assessing the current security posture. They must be able to balance the need for immediate risk mitigation with the development of a long-term security strategy. These first days are also a time to establish credibility with executives, the board, and the broader organization.
The 30-60-90 day plan is an essential framework for organizing this transition. By breaking down the role into three distinct phases, CISOs can methodically build a strong foundation, gain momentum, and develop a strategic vision.
Each phase has specific goals: the first 30 days are focused on understanding and evaluating the organization, the next 30 days are for expanding that understanding and addressing gaps, and the final 30 days are dedicated to defining a long-term security strategy that aligns with business objectives.
This guide will take you through these steps, providing a practical roadmap to ensure you hit the ground running in your first 90 days as a CISO.
Part 1: The First 30 Days – Building the Foundation
The initial 30 days in a new CISO role are all about gathering information, understanding the business, and laying the groundwork for future decisions. It’s a time to take stock of the organization’s current cybersecurity posture, forge strong relationships with key stakeholders, and align security priorities with the business’s overall objectives.
1. Understanding the Business and Its Strategic Objectives
First and foremost, the CISO must develop a deep understanding of the organization’s business model, mission, and strategic priorities. Security should not exist in a vacuum; instead, it must support and enable the business to achieve its goals. Spend time learning about how different departments function, how the company generates revenue, and where the most valuable digital assets are located.
It’s also crucial to understand the business’s risk tolerance. Some industries, such as healthcare and finance, face strict regulatory requirements, while others might prioritize innovation over regulatory compliance. The CISO’s role is to tailor the security strategy accordingly, ensuring that security policies enhance rather than hinder the business.
2. Building Relationships and Engaging with Stakeholders
One of the most important tasks during this period is building relationships. The CISO needs to engage with a variety of stakeholders across the organization, from the executive team and board members to the heads of IT, legal, human resources, and operations. Gaining insight from these leaders will provide a more nuanced understanding of business needs and how security can support them.
At the same time, the CISO must establish credibility. Security leadership is not just about dictating policies—it’s about fostering collaboration. Trust is key, and building strong relationships with the IT and DevOps teams will ensure that the security strategy is integrated smoothly with technical operations.
3. Assessing the Existing Security Landscape
An important focus of the first month is to conduct a high-level assessment of the current security environment. This includes reviewing existing cybersecurity policies, practices, and tools. Take stock of the security technologies in place, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and identity management solutions. Conduct a preliminary risk assessment to identify the organization’s most pressing vulnerabilities.
This initial assessment will serve as the foundation for later decision-making. By identifying gaps and risks early on, the CISO can prioritize efforts that provide the greatest immediate benefit to the organization’s security posture.
4. Quick Wins: Addressing Immediate Threats
In the midst of this information-gathering process, it’s essential to look for “quick wins”—vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that can be remediated with minimal effort but provide significant risk reduction. These quick wins will not only help mitigate threats but also demonstrate the CISO’s proactive approach to security leadership, which builds trust with the executive team and employees alike.
Part 2: The Next 30 Days (Day 31-60) – Expanding on Security Assessment and Building Momentum
With a foundational understanding of the business and the existing security posture in place, the next phase focuses on deepening the assessment, refining security policies, and building the cybersecurity team.
1. Deepening the Risk Assessment
This is the time for a more detailed security audit. Conduct a comprehensive review of the organization’s technology stack, architecture, and critical assets. Work closely with IT to identify gaps in infrastructure security, application security, and cloud services. This deeper dive will allow for a more thorough risk assessment and help identify long-term priorities for investment.
2. Building a Cybersecurity Team and Defining Roles
Evaluate the current security team’s structure and capabilities. Are there any gaps that need to be addressed with new hires or third-party contractors? Consider the skillsets needed for long-term success, including expertise in incident response, threat intelligence, and security operations. Clearly define roles and responsibilities within the team to avoid overlap and ensure accountability.
3. Establishing Governance and Security Policies
With a clearer understanding of the organization’s risks and business objectives, begin developing or refining security policies. These should cover areas such as data privacy, access control, incident response, and regulatory compliance. Work with HR and legal to ensure these policies are well-communicated and understood across the organization.
4. Initiating Security Training and Awareness Programs
No security policy is effective without employee buy-in. Use this time to launch cybersecurity awareness programs tailored to different departments, ensuring that all employees understand their role in maintaining security.
Part 3: The Next 30 Days (Day 61-90) – Crafting the Long-Term Security Strategy
With a deeper understanding of the business and security environment in place, the next 30 days are dedicated to creating a long-term, sustainable security strategy. This phase is crucial for aligning the security program with business objectives, securing buy-in from leadership, and positioning the security team for future success.
1. Developing a Holistic Security Strategy
Now that the CISO has a comprehensive view of the organization’s security posture and business needs, the focus shifts to building a multi-year security roadmap. This roadmap should be aligned with the organization’s strategic goals, risk appetite, and regulatory requirements. The CISO must prioritize initiatives that protect the organization’s most valuable assets while balancing operational needs, such as agility and innovation.
The security strategy should include both short-term initiatives—such as addressing known vulnerabilities and improving incident response capabilities—and long-term investments in areas like threat intelligence, security automation, and employee training programs. The roadmap should also outline how the organization will manage emerging technologies such as cloud computing, AI, and IoT, ensuring that security remains embedded in the business’s innovation efforts.
2. Defining Metrics and KPIs for Success
A crucial part of any long-term security strategy is defining how success will be measured. CISOs need to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with business objectives and provide visibility into the effectiveness of security initiatives. These metrics should be both qualitative and quantitative, capturing the security team’s impact on business resilience, compliance, and risk reduction.
KPIs might include metrics like the reduction in security incidents, improvements in mean time to detection (MTTD) and mean time to recovery (MTTR), or the completion rates of security training programs across the organization. Additionally, the CISO should implement dashboards and regular reporting mechanisms to track these KPIs and present them to the executive team and board. Regular reporting helps maintain visibility and ensures ongoing support for the security strategy.
3. Gaining Executive and Board Buy-In
One of the most important tasks in the final 30 days is securing executive and board-level buy-in for the security strategy. The CISO must present the security roadmap in terms that resonate with business leaders, translating technical risks into business risks. The ability to explain how cybersecurity initiatives will protect the company’s reputation, ensure compliance, and drive long-term growth is key to gaining their trust and commitment.
At this stage, the CISO should deliver a comprehensive presentation to the board, outlining the security roadmap, proposed investments, and expected outcomes. Clear communication is essential to ensure that decision-makers understand the importance of security in achieving broader business goals. Positioning cybersecurity as a business enabler, rather than just a cost center, is critical to gaining the necessary resources and support.
4. Finalizing the Security Team and Organizational Structure
By the 90-day mark, the CISO should have a clear sense of whether the current cybersecurity team is equipped to execute the long-term security strategy. If gaps remain—whether in skills, resources, or leadership—the CISO must take steps to address them, either through hiring, developing internal talent, or leveraging external partners. This may also be the time to reorganize the security team to better align with business objectives, such as creating specialized roles for incident response, compliance, or threat intelligence.
The CISO should also formalize governance structures to ensure accountability. This may involve creating a security steering committee, establishing cross-departmental working groups, or defining reporting lines that provide transparency between the security team and senior leadership.
Part 4: Beyond 90 Days – Sustaining Security Leadership and Adapting to Change
While the first 90 days are critical for laying the foundation, the CISO’s work is far from done at this point. The final phase of the 30-60-90 day plan should focus on sustaining momentum and continuously improving the security program.
1. Establishing a Culture of Security
A long-term goal for any CISO is to embed security into the organization’s culture. This means making security a shared responsibility across all departments, from HR to software development, rather than something that is solely the responsibility of the security team. To achieve this, the CISO must continue to champion security awareness training and work closely with department heads to ensure that security policies are integrated into everyday business processes.
This cultural shift will require ongoing engagement with employees and executives alike, ensuring that everyone understands their role in maintaining the company’s security posture. Over time, the goal is to create an environment where security considerations are built into every decision, from product development to customer interactions.
2. Managing the Pressures of the CISO Role
The CISO role comes with immense pressure, including the constant threat of cyberattacks, the need to stay ahead of evolving regulations, and the demand to balance security with business needs. CISOs must also manage the psychological stress that comes with being responsible for preventing breaches that could have catastrophic consequences.
To succeed in the long run, CISOs need strategies for managing this stress. This could involve developing a strong leadership team that can share the burden, leveraging peer networks for advice and support, and ensuring work-life balance to avoid burnout. An effective CISO knows when to delegate, how to build resilience within their team, and how to prioritize their own well-being.
3. Continuous Improvement and Iteration
Cybersecurity is never static. New threats, technologies, and regulatory requirements are constantly emerging, requiring CISOs to maintain a mindset of continuous improvement. This means regularly revisiting and updating the security strategy based on new information, conducting red team exercises to test defenses, and leveraging data from incidents to improve response times and preventive measures.
By fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the security team, CISOs can ensure that their organization stays ahead of cyber threats and is prepared for whatever challenges lie ahead. The security program should be viewed as a living, evolving process—one that adapts to changes in both the internal and external landscape.
We now discuss each part in detail.
Part 1: The First 30 Days – Building the Foundation
The first 30 days of a new Chief Information Security Officer’s (CISO) role are crucial for establishing a strong foundation of trust, knowledge, and direction. The decisions and actions made during this period will set the tone for your tenure and dictate your long-term success. A structured approach to understanding the business, building relationships, assessing the security landscape, and securing early wins will lay the groundwork for more comprehensive security initiatives in the months to come.
Understanding the Business and Its Strategic Objectives
Before you can protect an organization, you must deeply understand it. Cybersecurity should not exist in a vacuum; it should be closely aligned with the company’s business strategy and objectives. To do this, the CISO must first grasp the organization’s mission, business model, and strategic priorities.
Deep Dive into the Organization’s Mission and Business Model
In the first 30 days, you’ll need to become well-versed in the company’s overall mission and business model. Start by understanding what drives the organization—its core products or services, target markets, competitive landscape, and revenue streams. For example, if the organization is a financial services company, protecting sensitive customer data and maintaining compliance with industry regulations will be paramount. If it’s a healthcare organization, safeguarding patient information (PHI) under laws like HIPAA will be critical.
Identifying How Cybersecurity Fits into the Broader Business Strategy
Once you have a solid grasp of the business model, the next step is to determine how cybersecurity can support the company’s strategic priorities. For example, if the business is focused on rapid expansion into new markets, the security strategy may need to prioritize securing new cloud-based infrastructures or safeguarding intellectual property. On the other hand, if the organization is undergoing digital transformation, cybersecurity will need to be integrated into these new digital tools and processes from the outset.
Aligning Security Objectives with Business Goals
One of the key challenges for a new CISO is aligning security initiatives with broader business objectives. Security is often seen as a roadblock or cost center. Your job is to change that narrative by showing how a robust cybersecurity posture can enable the business to move faster, innovate more confidently, and protect its reputation.
Start by mapping out the business’s strategic objectives, and then align security goals to support those objectives. For example, if the company aims to enhance its customer experience through digital channels, your security initiatives should focus on securing those platforms, ensuring user privacy, and protecting customer data. Make it clear that security isn’t about locking everything down—it’s about building a secure foundation that allows the business to innovate safely.
Relationship Building and Stakeholder Engagement
Strong relationships with key stakeholders are essential to your success as a CISO. Without the trust and support of executives, board members, and other department heads, it will be difficult to gain the resources and buy-in needed to implement meaningful security initiatives.
Building Relationships with Key Stakeholders
In your first 30 days, it’s crucial to meet with leaders from across the organization to understand their priorities, concerns, and how security impacts their areas of responsibility. Key stakeholders include:
- Board Members and Executives: These individuals are concerned with how security impacts the company’s bottom line, brand reputation, and compliance with regulations. Meet with them to understand their risk tolerance and expectations for the security program.
- IT and DevOps Teams: These teams will play a central role in implementing and maintaining security initiatives. Establishing a collaborative relationship with IT and DevOps early on will help ensure that security is integrated into technology projects from the start. For example, if the company is migrating to the cloud, your collaboration will be crucial in building a secure cloud environment.
- Legal and Compliance Teams: Collaborate with these teams to understand regulatory requirements and how security can help ensure compliance. Regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS may impose strict security controls that need to be implemented.
- HR and Operations: These departments often manage employee access to sensitive systems and data. Engaging them will help you understand internal risks, such as insider threats, and ensure that security policies are practical and enforceable.
Establishing Trust and Collaboration with IT and DevOps Teams
One of the most important relationships you’ll cultivate in your first 30 days is with the IT and DevOps teams. These teams are often responsible for implementing the technologies and processes that support cybersecurity initiatives, so they need to see you as a partner, not an obstacle.
To foster collaboration, involve IT and DevOps in security discussions early on. For example, if the organization is planning a cloud migration, work with these teams to ensure that security is built into the project from the ground up, rather than being an afterthought. Provide them with the tools, guidance, and flexibility to embed security practices in their day-to-day operations. When they feel that security initiatives enhance rather than hinder their work, they’ll be more likely to support your agenda.
Understanding the Culture of the Organization
No two organizations are the same, and security approaches that work in one company may not be effective in another. It’s important to understand the organizational culture before rolling out any new security policies or initiatives.
For example, is the company highly collaborative, with a decentralized decision-making structure? In such environments, top-down security mandates may face resistance. Instead, you may need to take a more consultative approach, working with department heads to tailor security initiatives to their unique needs. On the other hand, if the company is hierarchical and process-driven, a more formal approach to security governance may be more effective.
Understanding the company’s culture will help you tailor your security approach in a way that aligns with how the organization operates and makes decisions.
Assessing the Existing Security Landscape
In parallel with relationship-building, you’ll need to begin assessing the company’s current security posture. This high-level assessment will give you an initial understanding of where the organization stands, what risks it faces, and where immediate improvements can be made.
Reviewing Current Cybersecurity Policies, Processes, and Tools
Start by reviewing existing security policies and processes. This includes policies related to data protection, access control, incident response, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Are these policies up-to-date and aligned with best practices? Are they being enforced consistently across the organization?
Next, review the security tools and technologies currently in place. Does the organization use modern security solutions like multi-factor authentication, endpoint detection and response (EDR), or security information and event management (SIEM) systems? Are there gaps in coverage that leave critical assets vulnerable to attack? For example, if the organization relies heavily on cloud infrastructure but lacks cloud security tools, this should be flagged as a priority.
Conducting a High-Level Risk Assessment
During the first 30 days, you should also conduct a high-level risk assessment to identify key vulnerabilities. This doesn’t need to be an in-depth audit at this stage but rather an overview to highlight any immediate risks that need addressing.
For example, are there known vulnerabilities in the company’s web applications that could be exploited by attackers? Are critical systems missing security patches? Are employees falling victim to phishing attacks due to a lack of security awareness training?
This high-level assessment will give you a snapshot of the organization’s risk profile and help you prioritize your efforts in the next phase.
Identifying Gaps in Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Many organizations must comply with regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, or SOX. In your first 30 days, review the organization’s compliance status. Are there gaps in compliance that could expose the company to fines or legal action? For example, is sensitive customer data being stored securely? Are there adequate controls in place to protect personally identifiable information (PII)?
Engage with the legal and compliance teams to ensure that the organization is meeting its regulatory obligations and that any gaps are documented and prioritized for remediation.
Quick Wins: Addressing Immediate Threats
In addition to your broader assessment efforts, the first 30 days offer an opportunity to secure some early wins. These quick wins not only reduce immediate risk but also help build credibility and demonstrate the value you bring to the organization.
Identifying and Prioritizing Critical Vulnerabilities
As you assess the security landscape, look for critical vulnerabilities or misconfigurations that can be remediated quickly. For example, if the company’s firewalls are not configured properly, you may be able to make adjustments within days that significantly reduce the risk of an external breach. If there are critical patches that haven’t been applied, prioritize patch management to close these gaps.
Implementing Quick-Win Solutions
Quick-win solutions might include deploying basic security controls that are missing, such as enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) for remote access, enforcing password policies, or configuring automated alerts for suspicious activities. For instance, if you identify that employees are reusing weak passwords, implementing a password management solution can immediately strengthen the organization’s security posture.
The goal with these quick wins is to address high-impact risks that can be remediated without requiring long-term projects or significant resources. These actions will demonstrate that you’re proactive and capable of delivering results, which helps build trust with the executive team and sets the stage for more complex initiatives down the line.
The first 30 days in a new CISO role are about building a strong foundation. By understanding the business, building relationships with key stakeholders, assessing the current security posture, and securing early wins, you set the stage for success. This groundwork will allow you to confidently move into the next phase—deepening your security assessment and building momentum for long-term initiatives.
In the next section, we’ll explore what to focus on during the next 30 days, from conducting a comprehensive risk assessment to strengthening your security team and refining governance policies.
Part 2: The Next 30 Days (Day 31-60) – Expanding on Security Assessment and Building Momentum
After laying the foundational groundwork in the first 30 days, the next phase (Day 31-60) focuses on deepening the security assessment and building momentum for long-term initiatives. This phase is where you transition from assessing and identifying the current security landscape to implementing more comprehensive solutions. Your main tasks during this period will involve conducting a thorough security audit, evaluating and building your cybersecurity team, refining governance structures, and fostering a culture of security awareness across the organization.
1. Deepening the Risk Assessment
The initial 30-day risk assessment should have given you a high-level understanding of the organization’s security posture and immediate vulnerabilities. In the next 30 days, it’s time to dive deeper into the risks facing the organization, perform a comprehensive security audit, and gain a more detailed understanding of how the organization’s technology stack, infrastructure, and assets are protected.
Conducting a Comprehensive Security Audit
A comprehensive security audit should involve a detailed review of the organization’s current security practices, systems, and controls. This audit will identify potential weaknesses in areas such as network security, data protection, application security, endpoint management, and cloud infrastructure. Depending on the complexity of the organization, you may also need to examine third-party vendor relationships, especially those with access to sensitive data or systems.
Example: Suppose the organization relies heavily on third-party cloud service providers for its day-to-day operations. In your audit, assess whether those third parties follow adequate security protocols. Review contracts and ensure they include robust security provisions. If the audit reveals that these vendors lack proper security measures or policies, such as not encrypting sensitive data or providing clear incident response procedures, this would be a priority risk to address.
The security audit should be methodical and data-driven. You may want to use tools like vulnerability scanners, penetration tests, or red-team exercises to simulate attacks and test how well the organization’s defenses hold up under real-world conditions.
Reviewing the Organization’s Technology Stack and Critical Assets
As part of the audit, you should conduct an in-depth review of the organization’s technology stack, including all systems, applications, hardware, and cloud services. This helps you understand where the most critical assets reside, such as customer data, proprietary software, or intellectual property.
Understanding how these critical assets are secured, who has access to them, and whether they are adequately protected is vital to mitigating risks. For instance, if sensitive customer data is stored in an internal database, ensure that robust access control mechanisms are in place, such as role-based access controls (RBAC) and encryption.
Additionally, review how data flows through the organization. Are there unprotected data transmission channels? Are sensitive data, such as financial information or PII (personally identifiable information), being encrypted both at rest and in transit? Identifying gaps in the protection of critical assets will inform your priorities for future security initiatives.
Collaborating with IT to Address Infrastructure, Applications, and Cloud Services
The IT and DevOps teams play a critical role in supporting your security objectives. By now, you should have a strong working relationship with them, so the next step is to collaborate on identifying and mitigating security risks within the organization’s infrastructure, applications, and cloud services.
For example, if the company is leveraging cloud services such as AWS or Azure, work with IT to evaluate the security of those cloud environments. Are security configurations aligned with best practices? Are proper access controls, identity and access management (IAM) protocols, and monitoring systems in place to detect and respond to security incidents?
If your audit reveals vulnerabilities in the organization’s applications, such as outdated software, unpatched systems, or insecure APIs, prioritize those issues in collaboration with development teams. Ensure that the security team is embedded in the application development lifecycle (DevSecOps), so security becomes an integral part of product development.
2. Building a Cybersecurity Team and Defining Roles
As you begin to develop a clearer picture of the security landscape, the next 30 days should focus on evaluating and strengthening your cybersecurity team. A strong, capable team is crucial to executing the long-term security strategy and responding to evolving threats.
Evaluating the Current Security Team’s Capabilities
Your first task is to assess the existing cybersecurity team to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and potential areas for improvement. Look for skill gaps that may hinder the team’s ability to tackle specific challenges. For instance, if the organization is transitioning to the cloud but your security team lacks cloud security expertise, that’s an area you’ll need to address quickly.
Evaluate whether your team has the right blend of technical and soft skills. While technical expertise is essential, communication, collaboration, and strategic thinking are equally important for a modern security team. Does your team have the leadership skills to work effectively with other departments? Can they communicate complex security issues in a way that non-technical executives understand?
Assessing the Need for New Hires, Contractors, or Third-Party Vendors
After assessing your team’s capabilities, you may find that certain skill sets are missing, such as cloud security, incident response, or threat intelligence. This is the time to determine whether new hires, contractors, or partnerships with third-party vendors are necessary to fill these gaps.
For instance, if your organization deals with sensitive personal data and frequently faces regulatory scrutiny, hiring a dedicated compliance officer or data privacy expert might be a priority. Alternatively, if the team is stretched thin on managing day-to-day security operations, consider outsourcing certain functions—such as a managed security service provider (MSSP) to handle monitoring and incident response—allowing your in-house team to focus on strategic initiatives.
Defining Clear Roles and Responsibilities
Once you’ve assessed the team and decided whether to bring in additional resources, it’s important to clearly define roles and responsibilities. Ensure that everyone on the team knows their specific areas of accountability, from network security to application security, and that these roles align with your broader security strategy.
Example: If your organization has multiple offices or operates in different regions, you may need to create specialized roles, such as regional security leads or incident response coordinators, to ensure local threats are addressed effectively. This structure allows for more agility in responding to security incidents and ensures that accountability is distributed across the team.
3. Establishing Governance and Security Policies
With a clearer picture of the risk landscape and a strengthened team, you can now focus on formalizing or refining the organization’s governance structure and security policies. Good governance ensures accountability and helps drive consistent implementation of security practices across the organization.
Developing or Refining Information Security Governance Structures
Information security governance involves defining who makes decisions, who is accountable for security, and how security efforts are measured and reported. In your next 30 days, work with senior leadership to establish or refine this governance structure.
You might consider forming a security steering committee comprising key stakeholders from IT, legal, compliance, HR, and finance. This committee should meet regularly to review security metrics, discuss upcoming security initiatives, and address any pressing risks. Governance structures also provide the framework for how security policies will be enforced and audited.
Updating Security Policies
Next, review and update security policies to ensure they align with current business objectives, regulatory requirements, and best practices. This may include:
- Data privacy policies: Ensure that policies related to the protection of sensitive data are robust and up-to-date with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA.
- Access control policies: Review how access to critical systems and data is managed. Implement role-based access controls (RBAC) and the principle of least privilege to limit who can access sensitive information.
- Incident response policies: Refine the incident response plan, ensuring that it outlines clear steps for detecting, responding to, and recovering from security incidents.
- Data retention policies: Define how long data should be kept and under what conditions it can be deleted, in compliance with regulatory frameworks.
These policies must be practical and enforceable. Consider working closely with the legal, HR, and IT teams to ensure that security policies are integrated into the organization’s broader operations.
Ensuring Compliance with Legal and Regulatory Frameworks
As part of refining your policies, ensure that they comply with any relevant legal and regulatory frameworks. Many industries, such as healthcare and finance, have strict regulations governing how data must be protected and reported.
Work closely with legal and compliance teams to ensure that your organization adheres to all applicable standards. For example, if your company processes credit card payments, ensure compliance with PCI DSS. If you operate internationally, review the data protection laws of the countries where you do business. A failure to comply with these regulations could result in costly fines and damage to your organization’s reputation.
4. Initiating Security Training and Awareness Programs
Finally, in the second 30 days, you should begin the process of rolling out security awareness programs to ensure that employees across the organization understand their role in maintaining security.
Cybersecurity Awareness Training for All Employees
Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility, not just the security team’s. Employees are often the weakest link in the security chain, with threats like phishing attacks and social engineering targeting them directly.
Develop a training program that covers key areas such as:
- Phishing awareness: Teach employees how to recognize and report phishing emails.
- Password hygiene: Emphasize the importance of strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
- Data handling: Ensure employees understand how to handle sensitive information, especially PII and customer data.
By fostering a security-conscious culture, you can significantly reduce the risk of employee-related breaches.
Engaging Business Leaders
In addition to training frontline employees, it’s important to engage business leaders and executives on the importance of security. These leaders can serve as security champions, helping to promote and enforce security initiatives within their teams. Meet with department heads to ensure they understand the role their teams play in supporting security initiatives and maintaining compliance with security policies.
Example: If you’re implementing a new data protection policy, work with business leaders to ensure that their teams understand and follow the guidelines, especially when handling customer data or proprietary information.
By the end of the next 30 days, you should have a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s security landscape, a well-defined and capable security team, an updated governance structure, and a training program in place to foster a culture of security awareness. This phase is about building momentum by addressing deeper risks, defining roles, and beginning the process of embedding security into the organization’s day-to-day operations.
In the next phase (Day 61-90), we’ll focus on developing a long-term security strategy that aligns with business objectives, creating metrics for success, and gaining executive buy-in to ensure that your security initiatives have the support and resources they need to succeed.
Part 3: The Next 30 Days (Day 61-90) – Crafting the Long-Term Security Strategy
As you enter the final phase of your first 90 days, the focus shifts to the future. The foundational work is complete: you’ve assessed the security landscape, built relationships, evaluated the team, and begun embedding security into the culture. Now, it’s time to develop a long-term, holistic security strategy that aligns with the organization’s business goals and risk tolerance. Additionally, you’ll establish metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress, and finally, you’ll secure executive and board buy-in to ensure ongoing support.
1. Developing a Holistic Security Strategy
At this stage, your main objective is to create a security roadmap that integrates with the organization’s broader business strategy. A well-defined security strategy will provide a vision for the future, helping to prioritize initiatives, allocate resources, and address evolving threats. This is your opportunity to position security not as a cost center, but as a business enabler that adds value by protecting assets, enhancing resilience, and supporting innovation.
Creating a Multi-Year Security Roadmap
Your first task is to create a multi-year roadmap that outlines the long-term direction of the organization’s security efforts. This roadmap should include both immediate initiatives and longer-term strategic goals. The roadmap must be flexible, as the threat landscape evolves, but it should provide a clear sense of direction.
Key elements of a security roadmap:
- Risk management framework: Outline how risks will be identified, assessed, and mitigated over time. This includes addressing current vulnerabilities and preparing for future risks such as emerging cyber threats or regulatory changes.
- Investment priorities: Highlight areas that require immediate investment, such as upgrading outdated systems, improving endpoint security, or investing in threat intelligence platforms. Plan for future investments in technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), or automation.
- Strategic initiatives: Identify key initiatives that will drive long-term security improvements. These may include adopting a Zero Trust architecture, implementing SOC (Security Operations Center) automation, or investing in advanced threat detection and response capabilities.
Example: If your company is heavily reliant on remote work, one initiative might be to improve endpoint security by implementing endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. Another initiative could focus on securing cloud environments with enhanced identity and access management (IAM) solutions, particularly if the company’s workforce is distributed across different geographies.
Aligning the Roadmap with Business Goals
It’s crucial that your security roadmap aligns with the organization’s overall business objectives. This alignment ensures that security initiatives are prioritized based on their impact on the business, rather than on technical considerations alone.
Questions to ask yourself:
- How does the security strategy support business growth?
- Which assets are most critical to the organization’s mission, and how are they being protected?
- How can security enable innovation, such as the development of new products or services?
For example, if the business is expanding into new markets or adopting a digital transformation strategy, your security plan should support those efforts by ensuring that new technologies are securely integrated and that data protection regulations in those markets are met.
Prioritizing Investments in Tools, Processes, and Personnel
Once the roadmap is established, you’ll need to prioritize where to allocate resources. Based on the risk assessments and audits you’ve conducted, focus on addressing the most significant gaps first.
Example priorities could include:
- Upgrading legacy systems: If outdated technologies pose a significant risk, upgrading these systems should be a top priority.
- Strengthening incident response capabilities: Ensure that your organization has a robust incident response plan in place, complete with tools, processes, and personnel ready to act in the event of a breach.
- Investing in threat intelligence: Consider integrating real-time threat intelligence platforms to enhance your organization’s ability to detect and respond to cyber threats quickly.
Additionally, consider staffing needs. Are there gaps in expertise within your team? If so, plan to hire new personnel or bring in third-party vendors to fill those gaps.
2. Defining Metrics and KPIs for Success
In this phase, it’s essential to establish metrics that will allow you to measure the effectiveness of your security program and demonstrate progress to executives and the board. Metrics should be both qualitative and quantitative, and they should be aligned with the organization’s risk tolerance and business goals.
Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
KPIs are the metrics that will help you track the performance of your security initiatives. These metrics should be directly tied to business objectives and provide insight into how security is enabling the organization to achieve its goals.
Examples of useful security KPIs:
- Incident response time: Measure how quickly the organization can detect, respond to, and recover from security incidents. Faster response times indicate a more mature and effective incident response process.
- Number of security incidents: Track the number of incidents over time, including both successful attacks and near-misses. A reduction in the number of incidents may indicate that preventative measures are working.
- Vulnerability management: Measure how quickly critical vulnerabilities are identified, patched, and mitigated. This KPI reflects the organization’s ability to stay ahead of emerging threats.
- Compliance posture: Track the organization’s compliance with relevant regulations, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS. This could involve tracking the number of non-compliance issues or audits passed.
Implementing a Security Dashboard
To effectively communicate these metrics to the C-suite and board members, consider implementing a security dashboard. This dashboard should present KPIs in a clear and concise manner, making it easy for non-technical stakeholders to understand the organization’s security posture.
A well-designed dashboard will not only show the current status of security initiatives but also provide historical data to demonstrate progress over time. For example, showing how incident response times have decreased or how vulnerability management has improved will help you build credibility and gain further support.
Measuring Success by Business Impact
While technical metrics are important, it’s also essential to measure the success of security initiatives in terms of their business impact. For instance, reducing downtime caused by security incidents or preventing a costly data breach has a direct, positive effect on the business.
Example: If a security initiative prevents a major breach that could have resulted in millions of dollars in fines or lost revenue, that success should be measured not just in technical terms (e.g., vulnerabilities fixed) but in terms of the business value protected.
By framing security metrics in terms of business outcomes, you can demonstrate that the security team is not just a cost center but a strategic partner that adds value to the organization.
3. Getting Executive and Board Buy-In
Securing executive and board buy-in is one of the most critical components of the final 30 days. Without the support of senior leadership, it will be difficult to get the resources and influence needed to execute your long-term security strategy.
Presenting the Security Strategy to the Board and C-Suite
Your goal is to present a compelling case for why your security strategy is essential to the business. When presenting to executives and board members, focus on how security initiatives align with the company’s broader objectives, protect critical assets, and mitigate business risks.
Tips for presenting to the board:
- Translate technical risks into business risks: Use language that non-technical executives understand. For example, instead of talking about specific vulnerabilities, explain how those vulnerabilities could lead to financial losses, regulatory penalties, or reputational damage.
- Showcase quick wins and future impact: Highlight the immediate successes your team has achieved in the first 90 days and outline the long-term benefits of the security roadmap. This helps build confidence in your leadership and the security team.
- Emphasize risk management: Frame the security strategy as a key part of the company’s overall risk management efforts. Explain how the strategy helps the business avoid or mitigate risks that could have serious financial, legal, or operational consequences.
Example: If your organization operates in a heavily regulated industry, such as finance or healthcare, emphasize how your security initiatives will help the company avoid costly fines or penalties by ensuring compliance with regulations like SOX, HIPAA, or PCI DSS.
Positioning the Security Team as a Business Enabler
One of the most effective ways to gain buy-in is to position the security team as an enabler of business success, rather than just a defensive function. Explain how security can support innovation, protect intellectual property, and ensure the organization’s ability to operate in a competitive marketplace.
For example, if the company is planning to launch a new digital service, explain how robust security measures will protect customer data and build trust with users, ultimately driving business growth. By positioning the security team as a partner to the business, you’ll gain more support from key stakeholders.
Part 4: Beyond 90 Days – Long-Term Leadership and Resilience
Once you’ve completed the first 90 days, the work is far from over. Cybersecurity is an ongoing effort that requires continuous improvement, adaptability, and strong leadership. In this final section, we’ll explore how you can sustain success, build resilience, and maintain a healthy work-life balance as you lead the organization’s security efforts for the long term.
1. Establishing a Culture of Security
While you’ve laid the groundwork for a secure organization in the first 90 days, embedding security into the company’s culture is a long-term effort. You must work towards making security a core value that’s embraced by every department and every employee.
How to foster a culture of security:
- Regular training and awareness programs: Continuously educate employees about emerging threats, best practices, and their role in protecting the organization.
- Security champions: Appoint security champions within different departments to promote security initiatives and serve as liaisons between the security team and the rest of the organization.
- Incorporating security into business processes: Ensure that security considerations are built into every business process, from product development to human resources practices. This approach will help create a culture where security is seen as a shared responsibility rather than solely the domain of the IT or security teams.
Example: When launching new products or services, require security assessments to be conducted at every stage of development. This not only helps identify potential vulnerabilities early but also ingrains the idea that security is integral to business success.
Fostering Open Communication
Encourage open lines of communication regarding security concerns, allowing employees to report suspicious activities without fear of reprisal. Implementing anonymous reporting mechanisms can be particularly effective in making employees feel comfortable bringing issues to light.
Regularly communicate updates on security initiatives, successes, and lessons learned from incidents to maintain awareness and engagement throughout the organization. Celebrate successes, such as resolving a significant security issue or achieving compliance with regulations, to reinforce the importance of security.
2. Managing the Pressures of the CISO Role
The role of a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) can be demanding, filled with pressures from various stakeholders, the evolving threat landscape, and regulatory requirements. It’s essential to develop strategies for managing stress and avoiding burnout.
Strategies for Stress Management
1. Set Realistic Expectations:
Understand that you cannot solve every problem immediately. Focus on long-term goals and prioritize tasks. Break larger projects into manageable phases, and set achievable milestones to keep your team motivated.
2. Delegate Effectively:
Trust your team and delegate tasks appropriately. Empowering your team members to take ownership of their responsibilities not only alleviates pressure from you but also builds their confidence and skills.
3. Prioritize Work-Life Balance:
As a leader, it’s important to model work-life balance for your team. Make time for breaks, encourage flexibility, and foster a culture that values well-being. Consider setting boundaries around after-hours communication to help maintain this balance.
4. Seek Support from Peers:
Engage with other CISOs or cybersecurity professionals through networking groups or industry associations. Sharing experiences and challenges with peers can provide valuable insights and alleviate feelings of isolation.
Building a Resilient Mindset
Adopt a growth mindset to better navigate challenges. View setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement rather than failures. Reflect on incidents, analyze what went wrong, and implement changes to prevent future occurrences.
Regularly engage in professional development activities, such as attending conferences, workshops, or online courses. Staying informed about industry trends and advancements will not only enhance your knowledge but also help you feel more confident in your decision-making.
3. Continuous Improvement: Iterating on Security Initiatives
Cybersecurity is a dynamic field that requires ongoing attention and adaptation. As new threats emerge and business goals evolve, your security strategy must be revisited and refined.
Embracing a Continuous Improvement Mindset
Implement feedback loops to learn from security incidents, audits, and assessments. After any incident, conduct a post-mortem analysis to identify lessons learned and areas for improvement. Document these findings and integrate them into your security practices moving forward.
Regularly review your security policies and procedures to ensure they remain relevant and effective. This includes staying updated on regulatory changes and evolving best practices. Schedule periodic audits and assessments to gauge the effectiveness of your security initiatives and identify gaps.
Example: If a particular type of phishing attack becomes prevalent in your industry, ensure that your training programs and technical defenses are updated accordingly to address this emerging threat.
Staying Ahead of Emerging Threats
Invest in threat intelligence capabilities to stay informed about the latest threats and vulnerabilities. This knowledge allows you to proactively adjust your security measures in response to emerging risks.
Consider leveraging security automation and orchestration tools to enhance your organization’s ability to detect and respond to threats in real time. These technologies can improve response times, reduce manual workloads, and increase overall efficiency.
Leading with Purpose and Vision as a CISO
Transitioning into the role of a CISO is a significant undertaking, particularly in the first 90 days. By focusing on building a strong foundation, expanding on security assessments, and crafting a long-term strategy, you set yourself and your organization up for success. As you move beyond the initial phase, continue to foster a culture of security, manage the pressures of your role, and embrace continuous improvement.
Your leadership will play a crucial role in not only protecting the organization’s assets but also enabling its success in an increasingly complex and digital world. By aligning security with business objectives, building strong relationships, and adapting to the evolving landscape, you can transform your security program from a necessary function to a vital component of the organization’s strategy.
As you navigate this journey, remember that effective security leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay focused on your vision, remain adaptable, and lead with purpose to ensure the long-term resilience of your organization against ever-evolving cyber threats.
Conclusion
While many may see the CISO role solely as a guardian against cyber threats, true success lies in embracing the duality of being both a technical leader and a strategic business partner. As you move forward, remember that your influence extends beyond just managing risks; it encompasses shaping the organization’s future through visionary leadership.
The journey of a CISO is not just about implementing security measures but fostering an environment where security and innovation coexist harmoniously.
Now is the time to leverage the insights gained from your first 90 days to drive strategic initiatives that align security with the organization’s broader business goals. To propel your journey, take the next step by developing a comprehensive communication plan that articulates the value of security to all stakeholders, ensuring that it’s recognized as an enabler of business success.
Additionally, prioritize building a cross-functional team that includes members from different departments to promote a collaborative security culture, allowing for diverse perspectives and shared responsibility. By doing so, you’ll not only enhance your security posture but also establish yourself as a trusted advisor and visionary leader within the organization, paving the way for sustainable growth and resilience in an increasingly complex digital landscape.