What is a CISO?

In this Life of a CISO episode, Dr. Eric Cole succinctly defines two critical terms in the field of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity, he explains, involves the understanding, management, and mitigation of risks associated with critical data or information being disclosed, altered, or denied access. A CISO, on the other hand, is responsible for knowing and understanding the critical data and business processes that support it, and ensuring that they are aligned with the organization's prioritized list and risk posture. The most critical thing for a CISO is to minimize risks and exposure while maximizing profitability, which is a challenging task that requires a deep understanding of the business and the risks it faces.