Leadership & Executive Communication , Training & Security Leadership , Video
How Positive Cyber Messaging Helps Connect With the C-Suite
Accenture's William Beer on Strategies to Bridge the Cybersecurity, C-Suite Gap
Cybersecurity is a critical concern for organizations of all sizes these days, and the responsibility for promoting it often falls on the CISO. But there's often a major disconnect between the CISO and the rest of the C-suite. William Beer, managing director for financial services at Accenture, discussed the challenges CISOs face and strategies to bridge the gap.
See Also: Effective Communication Is Key to Successful Cybersecurity
Seventy-five percent of CEOs lack confidence in their organization's cybersecurity programs, Beer said, which means the cybersecurity industry needs to educate C-suite members who are unfamiliar with handling cyber-related matters. Organizations must engage in continuous horizon-scanning workshops and consider potential threats from various angles, including political, legal, economic, social, technological and environmental perspectives. By adopting a proactive approach to risk assessment and management, organizations can stay ahead of emerging threats.
"Part of the problem is that a lot of CEOs are not savvy when it comes to cyber. They feel as if they're out of their comfort zone," Beer said. "The cyber industry has to recognize that and think about how to provide more support to the C-suite members, and how do we help support them in day-to-day conversations with their board or stockholders when it comes to cyber-related matters."
In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at ISMG's Financial Services Summit 2023, Beer also discussed:
- Why cybersecurity should not be perceived in terms of fear, uncertainty and doubt;
- How to quantify ROI in cybersecurity initiatives;
- Why cybersecurity programs need to shift from reactive to proactive.
Beer, who has more than 30 years of experience across the security domain, is responsible for exploring innovative new approaches at Accenture to help protect the business from complex and unpredictable cyberthreats.
