Many organizations see cybersecurity not as a driver of business growth but as a simple cost. Executives often perceive cybersecurity as a necessary evil that diverts budgets from profit-generating activities. However, security budgets are actually a small part of overall costs. Research from the Ponemon Institute indicates that security leaders prioritize metrics that demonstrate the business value of IT security programs. Yet, creating suitable metrics in business language remains challenging for many tech-oriented security leaders.
Michael S. Overlander, a CISO and author, emphasizes the importance of establishing an Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) function within organizations. Without it, proving security’s value to executives becomes particularly difficult. He suggests aligning cyber risk with business priorities and effectively communicating relevant metrics to the board. Overlander believes that useful metrics for security functions include maturity, compliance, risk, and business value flow, demonstrating how security contributes to overall business stability.
As boards increasingly engage with cybersecurity, executives are asking for clear financial implications rather than technical metrics. Effective communication about potential financial losses and risk management effectiveness is crucial for CISOs to gain support. A recent development shows that cyber leaders need a better approach to articulate their security strategies in relatable business terms, moving away from jargon to enhance understanding and collaboration with business leaders.
👉 Pročitaj original: CIO Magazine
