Why the future of your business lies in your CISO’s hands
Guest blog: Kevin Brown, Managing Director at BT Security as part of our #Cyber2021 Week.
New research into consumer, employee and business leader attitudes to cybersecurity makes it imperative that CISOs take a leading business role.
Our recent research, available here, confirms that cybersecurity is the top issue on the agenda in boardrooms around the globe. Only the pandemic has the power to overshadow security issues right now. And this means that it’s the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) who will be expected to step forward and enable the business as it settles into new ways of digital working.
But CISOs can only make effective plans if they understand the context and know what business leaders, employees and consumers think about cybersecurity. Will they cooperate and do whatever’s necessary to protect you and them? Or is there still work to do to win over hearts and minds?
BT Security’s largest ever research project – CISO under the Spotlight – identifies the major trends that are impacting the role of the CISO, and the worrying behaviours that show the need for a strategic response.
Your security depends on your people
The research backs up what I’ve seen in so many companies: people are still fundamental to cybersecurity. You can have all the solutions in the world, but if people don’t follow basic cybersecurity measures, you’re wide open to breaches. Despite all the cyber threats out there, the easiest way to infiltrate any organisation is still through an employee.
Our respondents were brutally honest and what they told us is alarming. 45% of employees said they’d had a security incident while working and not declared it. Alongside that, people knowingly take risks online, even though they understand the dangers. Employees are losing work laptops and phones and not reporting it or are giving their work logins and passwords to others.
Security wins customers
64% of consumers said they’d recommend firms that make big efforts to keep data secure. This shows that a business visibly on the cybersecurity ball will reassure consumers and create confidence in its digital products and services, carving itself a competitive advantage. Corroborating that point, 67% of consumers said that security is more important than convenience.
The research consistently shows that security is increasingly a deciding factor for customer choices. It also highlights the huge opportunity to differentiate your business by displaying your security credentials, given that only 16% of consumers strongly agree they trust large organisations to protect their personal data.
How can a CISO combat this?
Inside the organisation, CISOs need to look beyond technological solutions and super-charge the human firewall. Start by sharpening up security hygiene so your people adopt digitally safe behaviours and are actively on their guard against cyber threats. And externally, don’t be afraid to increase security measures. The good news is, the balance has tipped and there’s new positivity towards cybersecurity with consumers and employees ready to embrace more security measures to stay safe online.
I’ve just scratched the surface of the findings here; I really recommend you take a look at the full report to find out how critical the role of the CISO is to your cybersecurity and your business.
Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill Broom
Head of Cyber Resilience, techUK
Jill leads the techUK Cyber Security programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
Programme Manager, Cyber Security and Central Government, techUK
Annie Collings
Programme Manager, Cyber Security and Central Government, techUK
Annie joined techUK as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023. In this role, she supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
Prior to joining techUK, Raya worked in Business Development for an expert network firm within the institutional investment space. Before this Raya spent a year in industry working for a tech start-up in London as part of their Growth team which included the formation and development of a 'Let's Talk Tech' podcast and involvement in London Tech Week.
Raya has a degree in Politics and International Relations (Bsc Hons) from the University of Bath where she focused primarily on national security and counter-terrorism policies, centreing research on female-led terrorism and specific approaches to justice there.
Outside of work, Raya's interests include baking, spin classes and true-crime Netflix shows!
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!