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Cyber ResilienceHow to Avoid Boredom and Get the Approval You Need
Cybersecurity has evolved from being a technical concern to a board-level issue, given its critical importance to business continuity and resilience. In recent times, with the increasing cyber-attacks, Boards of Directors (BoDs) are more invested than ever in understanding the cyber risks their organizations face. However, presenting cybersecurity effectively to the board can be a challenging task for CISOs. While CISOs want to explain risks in-depth, BoDs are more concerned with how cybersecurity impacts business goals like revenue, risk, and compliance.
To successfully communicate cybersecurity to the board CISOs must employ a strategy that combines clarity, brevity, and relevance.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the key strategies for presenting cybersecurity to the BoD in a manner that captures their attention, avoids unnecessary complexity, and ensures that the CISO’s recommendations are met with a positive response.
Drawing insights from the Gartner research “CISO Foundations: Comprehensive Resource List for Presenting Cybersecurity to the Board of Directors”, we will explore how to navigate common mistakes, leverage business-focused storytelling, and secure the board’s approval for cybersecurity initiatives.
How to Avoid Boredom and Get the Approval You Need
Cybersecurity has evolved from being a technical concern to a board-level issue, given its critical importance to business continuity and resilience. In recent times, with the increasing cyber-attacks, Boards of Directors (BoDs) are more invested than ever in understanding the cyber risks their organizations face. However, presenting cybersecurity effectively to the board can be a challenging task for CISOs. While CISOs want to explain risks in-depth, BoDs are more concerned with how cybersecurity impacts business goals like revenue, risk, and compliance. To successfully communicate cybersecurity to the board CISOs must employ a strategy that combines clarity, brevity, and relevance.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the key strategies for presenting cybersecurity to the BoD in a manner that captures their attention, avoids unnecessary complexity, and ensures that the CISO’s recommendations are met with a positive response. Drawing insights from the Gartner research “CISO Foundations: Comprehensive Resource List for Presenting Cybersecurity to the Board of Directors”, we will explore how to navigate common mistakes, leverage business-focused storytelling, and secure the board’s approval for cybersecurity initiatives.
Understand the Board’s Focus: Align Cybersecurity with Business Goals
One of the biggest mistakes CISOs make is not aligning their cybersecurity message with what the board cares about most: Business Outcomes. According to Gartner, 88% of board members now see cybersecurity as a business risk rather than just a technical problem. As a result, the board’s primary focus is on how cybersecurity affects the company’s ability to generate revenue, manage costs, and mitigate risk. This means that cybersecurity presentations must clearly demonstrate how proposed actions or investments align with the company’s strategic goals.
When preparing your presentation, consider:
- How does cybersecurity contribute to maintaining business continuity?
- Can you quantify the financial or reputational impact of a cyber risk?
- How does the current threat landscape affect the company’s ability to achieve its objectives?
Framing cybersecurity in the context of business decisions will make the board more receptive to your recommendations.
Be Concise: Focus on Key Insights
BoDs have tight schedules, and cybersecurity is often just one of many agenda items. According to Gartner, presentations that run too long or dive into technical details are less likely to receive the attention needed for action. Time in front of the board is limited, and you must make the most of it by focusing on the most critical information. Your goal should be to convey important messages quickly and concisely without overwhelming your audience with jargon or technical depth.
Some tips to keep your presentation succinct include:
- Limit slides: Aim for a small number of slides that summarize key points rather than a lengthy deck with detailed information.
- Front-load important information: Deliver your core message early in the presentation so that the board understands your ask and key takeaways before their attention wanes.
- Use simple language: Avoid using acronyms or highly technical terms that may confuse or alienate non-technical board members.
Instead of overwhelming the board with information, focus on clear, actionable insights that help them make informed decisions.
Understand the Board’s Focus: Align Cybersecurity with Business Goals
One of the biggest mistakes CISOs make is not aligning their cybersecurity message with what the board cares about most: Business Outcomes. According to Gartner, 88% of board members now see cybersecurity as a business risk rather than just a technical problem. As a result, the board’s primary focus is on how cybersecurity affects the company’s ability to generate revenue, manage costs, and mitigate risk. This means that cybersecurity presentations must clearly demonstrate how proposed actions or investments align with the company’s strategic goals.
When preparing your presentation, consider:
- How does cybersecurity contribute to maintaining business continuity?
- Can you quantify the financial or reputational impact of a cyber risk?
- How does the current threat landscape affect the company’s ability to achieve its objectives?
Framing cybersecurity in the context of business decisions will make the board more receptive to your recommendations.
Be Concise: Focus on Key Insights
BoDs have tight schedules, and cybersecurity is often just one of many agenda items. According to Gartner, presentations that run too long or dive into technical details are less likely to receive the attention needed for action. Time in front of the board is limited, and you must make the most of it by focusing on the most critical information. Your goal should be to convey important messages quickly and concisely without overwhelming your audience with jargon or technical depth.
Some tips to keep your presentation succinct include:
- Limit slides: Aim for a small number of slides that summarize key points rather than a lengthy deck with detailed information.
- Front-load important information: Deliver your core message early in the presentation so that the board understands your ask and key takeaways before their attention wanes.
- Use simple language: Avoid using acronyms or highly technical terms that may confuse or alienate non-technical board members.
Instead of overwhelming the board with information, focus on clear, actionable insights that help them make informed decisions.
Avoid Technical Jargon: Speak the Board’s Language
CISOs are often tempted to delve into technical details during board presentations, but this can be a major pitfall. Gartner’s research found that using overly technical language is one of the key issues that reduces the effectiveness of cybersecurity presentations. The board does not need to understand the inner workings of firewalls or encryption protocols to make informed decisions. What they need is a high-level understanding of risks and how they are being managed.
To avoid alienating the board with technical jargon:
- Use analogies: Explain complex cyber risks in terms that are relatable to business. For example, you can compare cybersecurity layers to physical security measures such as locks, alarms, and guards.
- Present metrics that matter: Focus on forward-looking metrics that demonstrate how cybersecurity initiatives will mitigate future risks or capitalize on opportunities. Avoid backward-facing metrics that simply catalog past incidents.
- Translate technical issues into business risks: For example, rather than talking about a “zero-day vulnerability,” describe it as a “vulnerability that can compromise sensitive customer data and lead to regulatory fines.”
Tailor Your Message to the Audience
Not all board members have the same level of expertise or interest in cybersecurity. Some may have a background in technology, while others may focus more on finance or legal concerns. Tailoring your message to resonate with a diverse audience is essential. According to Gartner’s findings, one of the reasons cybersecurity presentations fall flat is that they fail to address what the board is most concerned about, such as the impact of cybersecurity risks on revenue or compliance.
To craft an effective message:
- Segment your audience: Consider the interests of individual board members and how you can address those concerns in your presentation. For example, CFOs will be interested in cost-effectiveness, while legal advisors will focus on regulatory compliance.
- Highlight key business risks: Make it clear how cybersecurity ties into the organization’s risk management framework. Is the company exposed to a potential regulatory fine due to non-compliance? Are there significant financial implications of a data breach? Present these risks in terms that will resonate with the board.
Avoid Technical Jargon: Speak the Board’s Language
CISOs are often tempted to delve into technical details during board presentations, but this can be a major pitfall. Gartner’s research found that using overly technical language is one of the key issues that reduces the effectiveness of cybersecurity presentations. The board does not need to understand the inner workings of firewalls or encryption protocols to make informed decisions. What they need is a high-level understanding of risks and how they are being managed.
To avoid alienating the board with technical jargon:
- Use analogies: Explain complex cyber risks in terms that are relatable to business. For example, you can compare cybersecurity layers to physical security measures such as locks, alarms, and guards.
- Present metrics that matter: Focus on forward-looking metrics that demonstrate how cybersecurity initiatives will mitigate future risks or capitalize on opportunities. Avoid backward-facing metrics that simply catalog past incidents.
- Translate technical issues into business risks: For example, rather than talking about a “zero-day vulnerability,” describe it as a “vulnerability that can compromise sensitive customer data and lead to regulatory fines.”
Tailor Your Message to the Audience
Not all board members have the same level of expertise or interest in cybersecurity. Some may have a background in technology, while others may focus more on finance or legal concerns. Tailoring your message to resonate with a diverse audience is essential. According to Gartner’s findings, one of the reasons cybersecurity presentations fall flat is that they fail to address what the board is most concerned about, such as the impact of cybersecurity risks on revenue or compliance.
To craft an effective message:
- Segment your audience: Consider the interests of individual board members and how you can address those concerns in your presentation. For example, CFOs will be interested in cost-effectiveness, while legal advisors will focus on regulatory compliance.
- Highlight key business risks: Make it clear how cybersecurity ties into the organization’s risk management framework. Is the company exposed to a potential regulatory fine due to non-compliance? Are there significant financial implications of a data breach? Present these risks in terms that will resonate with the board.
Make Your Ask Clear and Actionable
A common mistake CISOs make is not clearly stating what they need from the board after presenting their cybersecurity information. After all the preparation and effort, the last thing you want is for the board to respond with, “Thank you. We’ll take this under advisement and get back to you.” To avoid this, CISOs need to outline specific, actionable requests during their presentation.
Whether you need funding for a new security initiative or approval for an updated policy, your ask must be clear and tied to a business outcome.
Consider the following when making your ask:
- Be explicit: Clearly state what you need from the board, whether it’s a decision on investment, approval of a policy, or guidance on the next steps.
- Link to business outcomes: Demonstrate how the ask ties into the broader organizational goals, such as mitigating risk, protecting revenue streams, or maintaining compliance.
- Provide options: If possible, present different courses of action with their respective risks and benefits. This gives the board a choice, allowing them to feel more involved in the decision-making process.
Use Storytelling: Engage the Board Emotionally
Cybersecurity presentations that rely solely on data and facts can sometimes fail to engage the board. By incorporating storytelling into your presentation, you can make your message more compelling and memorable. Stories help the board understand the real-world implications of cybersecurity risks and make the discussion more relatable.
Some ways to incorporate storytelling into your presentation:
Case studies: Share real-world examples of cyber incidents that have affected organizations similar to yours. What happened? What were the consequences? How did they recover?
- Hypotheticals: Paint a picture of what could happen if certain cybersecurity measures are not implemented. For instance, “Imagine a scenario where our customer database is breached, leading to a $5 million fine and loss of trust among key clients.”
- Success stories: Highlight the positive outcomes of previous cybersecurity initiatives. For example, “Thanks to our investment in advanced threat detection, we were able to stop a ransomware attack before it compromised our network.”
Make Your Ask Clear and Actionable
A common mistake CISOs make is not clearly stating what they need from the board after presenting their cybersecurity information. After all the preparation and effort, the last thing you want is for the board to respond with, “Thank you. We’ll take this under advisement and get back to you.” To avoid this, CISOs need to outline specific, actionable requests during their presentation. Whether you need funding for a new security initiative or approval for an updated policy, your ask must be clear and tied to a business outcome.
Consider the following when making your ask:
- Be explicit: Clearly state what you need from the board, whether it’s a decision on investment, approval of a policy, or guidance on the next steps.
- Link to business outcomes: Demonstrate how the ask ties into the broader organizational goals, such as mitigating risk, protecting revenue streams, or maintaining compliance.
- Provide options: If possible, present different courses of action with their respective risks and benefits. This gives the board a choice, allowing them to feel more involved in the decision-making process.
Use Storytelling: Engage the Board Emotionally
Cybersecurity presentations that rely solely on data and facts can sometimes fail to engage the board. By incorporating storytelling into your presentation, you can make your message more compelling and memorable. Stories help the board understand the real-world implications of cybersecurity risks and make the discussion more relatable.
Some ways to incorporate storytelling into your presentation:
- Case studies: Share real-world examples of cyber incidents that have affected organizations similar to yours. What happened? What were the consequences? How did they recover?
- Hypotheticals: Paint a picture of what could happen if certain cybersecurity measures are not implemented. For instance, “Imagine a scenario where our customer database is breached, leading to a $5 million fine and loss of trust among key clients.”
- Success stories: Highlight the positive outcomes of previous cybersecurity initiatives. For example, “Thanks to our investment in advanced threat detection, we were able to stop a ransomware attack before it compromised our network.”
Follow Up After the Meeting
After delivering a presentation, it’s important to maintain momentum. If the board doesn’t approve your ask right away, it’s crucial to follow up with the additional information or clarifications they need to make a decision. Avoid letting the conversation stagnate by keeping the lines of communication open.
To ensure a successful follow-up:
- Summarize key points: After the meeting, send a concise summary of the key takeaways and any pending actions to the board.
- Address feedback: If the board had concerns or requested more information, be prompt in addressing those issues.
- Set a timeline: Establish a clear timeline for when a decision or next steps need to be taken, keeping the board informed along the way.
Follow Up After the Meeting
After delivering a presentation, it’s important to maintain momentum. If the board doesn’t approve your ask right away, it’s crucial to follow up with the additional information or clarifications they need to make a decision. Avoid letting the conversation stagnate by keeping the lines of communication open.
To ensure a successful follow-up:
- Summarize key points: After the meeting, send a concise summary of the key takeaways and any pending actions to the board.
- Address feedback: If the board had concerns or requested more information, be prompt in addressing those issues.
- Set a timeline: Establish a clear timeline for when a decision or next steps need to be taken, keeping the board informed along the way.
Conclusion
Presenting cybersecurity to the Board of Directors is a unique challenge that requires balancing technical expertise with business acumen. By aligning cybersecurity with business objectives, keeping the presentation concise and accessible, avoiding technical jargon, and making a clear, actionable ask, CISOs can ensure that their message resonates with the board.
Additionally, leveraging storytelling can create an emotional connection that helps drive home the importance of cybersecurity initiatives. Finally, don’t forget to follow up to keep the conversation moving toward a decision.
Follow Up After the Meeting
After delivering a presentation, it’s important to maintain momentum. If the board doesn’t approve your ask right away, it’s crucial to follow up with the additional information or clarifications they need to make a decision. Avoid letting the conversation stagnate by keeping the lines of communication open.
To ensure a successful follow-up:
- Summarize key points: After the meeting, send a concise summary of the key takeaways and any pending actions to the board.
- Address feedback: If the board had concerns or requested more information, be prompt in addressing those issues.
- Set a timeline: Establish a clear timeline for when a decision or next steps need to be taken, keeping the board informed along the way.
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