The CISO Evolution

CHAPTER 9Relationship Management

Get closer than ever to your customers. So close to them that you tell them what they need well before they realize it themselves.

— Steve Jobs

Opportunity

In the age where seemingly every company is undergoing a “digital transformation,” cybersecurity leaders have a unique opportunity to flip the narrative on cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is one of the few groups within the organization with the tools and capabilities to build visibility into most, if not all, of the organization's critical business processes and data flows. In Chapter 2 – Business Strategy Tools we reviewed this unique vantage point in the context of value stream mapping. Again, this level of visibility allows cybersecurity teams to be a crucial partner in building business resilience, enabling process improvements, and increasing competitive advantage.

The business needs cybersecurity involved early and often in digital transformation initiatives because they need proactive cybersecurity insights and strategies for success. Fostering relationships with the C-suite and other business unit leaders allows cybersecurity leaders to learn about digital transformation initiatives early-on. We described the process of Stakeholder Analysis and Influence Maps in Chapter 5 – Articulating the Business Case. Along with the business acumen we have covered in this book up to this point, cybersecurity can get ahead of potential risks by engaging business unit leaders early regarding the ...