Why CISOs Fail, 2nd Edition

Foreword

When you read this, I will have been a CISO for over a year. In no small part, that tenure—and my ongoing development—is thanks to Barak Engel and Why CISOs Fail. It’s almost cliché—as this year progressed, the lessons seemed to return at just the right time. My nearly chronic imposter syndrome faded, anxiety morphed into intense curiosity, and my confidence continued to grow. My job has been remarkably fulfilling and, thankfully, the kind of exciting most CISOs prefer.

My association’s growth often matches that of the cybersecurity industry, on a cycle of perpetual escalation. Our board created a stand-alone CISO role and function, shifting me away from my decade-long CIO and operations duties. I wanted to level up to match their expectations—plus, ...