Six Traits of Successful CISOs: Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Reflecting on my tenure as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), one regret stands out vividly. It wasn’t a significant security breach or a poor technological decision, but a realization that dawned on me during my final weeks: I hadn’t adequately prepared a successor to step into my role.

In cybersecurity, success for a CISO often seems binary – you either prevent breaches or you don’t. However, seasoned CISOs know that the reality is far more nuanced, and success is almost impossible to measure objectively across organizations, especially in the short term.

Many have attempted to develop approaches to measuring CISO effectiveness. The Gartner study “Four Facets of Effective CISO Leadership” offers valuable insights into this challenge. Their research acknowledges that success is akin to “beauty in the eye of the beholder”—it’s both deeply personal and unique to the organization they serve.

With this perspective on success, let’s explore six key traits defining successful CISOs – those who create a lasting impact and position their organizations for long-term security resilience.

Visionary Leadership Beyond Their Tenure

Successful CISOs think beyond their tenure. They anticipate future security challenges, regulatory shifts, and evolving technological landscapes while aligning their cybersecurity strategies with business objectives. These leaders have a clear vision for the organization’s security future and work tirelessly to embed this vision into the company’s DNA. This trait involves implementing security measures and creating a lasting approach to security governance and culture that persists long after they’ve moved on. A critical aspect of this, given my personal reflection, is the ability to develop talent within the security team. Successful CISOs invest time and resources in nurturing future leaders, creating a pipeline of skilled professionals who can step up when needed.

A CISO embodying this trait might say: “I feel successful because I’ve laid the groundwork for a security strategy that will protect the company for years to come, even as threats evolve. I’ve cultivated leaders who can step up when needed, ensuring the security function can thrive even after my departure.”

Effective Communication and Influence

The ability to translate complex security concepts into business language is crucial. Successful CISOs can articulate the value of security initiatives in a way that resonates with executives, board members, and employees alike. They don’t just communicate; they influence and inspire action across the organization. In my own career, this was one of the hardest lessons to learn – the ability to take technical jargon and weave it into a narrative that clearly explains business risk and impact without too much arm-waving.

This trait goes beyond the boardroom. CISOs must also communicate effectively across the entire organization, ensuring every department understands its role in maintaining security. By building strong relationships across teams and fostering a culture where cybersecurity is seen as a shared responsibility, a CISO can ensure that the entire organization is aligned with security objectives.

Success here might sound like: “I know I’ve made an impact when I see non-security teams proactively considering security in their projects without my prompting.”

Strategic Business Alignment

Top CISOs understand that their role isn’t just about protecting assets; it’s about enabling the business to take calculated risks and pursue opportunities. They align security initiatives with broader business goals, ensuring security is seen as a business enabler rather than a roadblock. A CISO’s success is often tied to how they enabled other departments and teams to achieve their business objectives securely.

A CISO might measure success in this area by saying: “I feel effective when I’m invited to strategic business discussions not just for security input but for my broader business insights.”

Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Threats evolve, technologies change, and regulatory landscapes shift. The most successful CISOs embrace continuous learning and are willing to innovate. Whether pursuing new certifications, attending industry conferences, or experimenting with cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) or DSPM solutions, the ability to adapt and grow is crucial.

Successful CISOs embrace this reality. They are lifelong learners, constantly adapting strategies to address threats and leverage new technologies. More importantly, they instill this adaptability into their teams and processes, ensuring the security function remains agile and forward-thinking.

A CISO demonstrating this trait might say: “I measure my success not by compliance with today’s standards but by how the organization is preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.”

Balanced Scorecard Approach to Metrics

While successful CISOs use metrics to drive decision-making and demonstrate value, they understand that they need to keep a balance between the security outcomes, the cost of those measures, the broader company perception of the security team, and their team morale. They balance hard data with softer indicators of success, such as team morale, cross-departmental relationships, and the overall security awareness of the organization. This holistic approach to measuring success ensures that the security function is effective, sustainable, and well-integrated within the broader organizational context.

Resilience Under Pressure

Cybersecurity incidents are inevitable; when a breach occurs, the CISO is often at the center of the storm. Resilience under pressure is about maintaining composure during a crisis and leading a coordinated response that minimizes damage and restores normalcy as quickly as possible. The most successful CISOs can keep their teams focused and driven, even under immense pressure.

Beyond individual resilience, a successful CISO fosters organizational resilience. This involves building a strong security culture where everyone knows their role in a crisis, creating well-rehearsed incident response plans, and ensuring the organization can recover quickly from an attack. By preparing for the worst while hoping for the best, these CISOs create a robust framework that can withstand even the most severe security challenges.

The Path to Lasting Impact

These six traits aren’t just about what a CISO does but all about the lasting impact they create across the organization. They reflect a holistic approach to security leadership beyond technical expertise to encompass strategic thinking, people development, and organizational influence.

For current and aspiring CISOs, I encourage you to look beyond the day-to-day firefighting and consider your legacy. How are you preparing your team and organization for the challenges that lie ahead, even after your tenure? By focusing on these six traits and constantly striving for improvement, you can work towards not just personal success but a truly lasting and meaningful impact on your organization’s security posture.

Remember, success as a CISO isn’t just about what you achieve during your role—it’s about the foundation you lay for the future. It’s a challenging but rewarding journey, one that requires constant growth, reflection, and a commitment to your organization’s long-term security. Your success is measured not only by the breaches prevented but also by the resilient security culture you cultivate that endures long after your departure.