5 Behaviors for Transforming Your Cybersecurity Leadership

Originally published by CXO REvolutionaries.

Written by Ben Corll, CISO in Residence, Zscaler.

As an enterprise cybersecurity leader, your role is pivotal in safeguarding your organization's assets, data, people, and reputation. You likely have a very capable team to help with each of these tasks, which allows you time to focus on leading them well. To be truly effective and seen as an agent for growth, you must navigate certain pitfalls that can hinder your impact and erode the trust of your team.

Here are the top five things to avoid and what to do instead to be recognized as a transformational leader.

1. Avoid reactive-only approaches

Why avoid: Relying solely on reactive strategies in cybersecurity can leave your organization perpetually one step behind threats. Reacting to incidents after they occur can result in significant financial and reputational damage. You'll likely spend all your time fire-fighting and always be experiencing burn-out, as will your team. Rather than simply reacting (generally done without much thought) you should be responding (reacting after you've taken a moment to think).

Do this instead: Adopt a Proactive Security Posture

During incidents, moments matter. However, if you've planned for things to go awry, you can respond while remaining calm. Have detailed and practiced plans in place with things to do and options to consider when things actually do go bump on the network. Some examples:

• Risk assessment and management: Conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Use the insights to develop a comprehensive risk management strategy. And maintain this practice month in and month out.
• Continuous monitoring: Implement advanced threat detection and monitoring systems that provide real-time insights into potential security breaches. This is where having properly trained people is amazing. Yes, they need tools, but it's the people who are going to be doing the amazing work and making the team look like rockstars.
• Employee training: Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices and create a culture of security awareness. Regularly conduct phishing simulations and security drills to keep the workforce vigilant. Balance the serious method with fun and memorable ways to teach good cyber hygiene.

By anticipating and mitigating risks before they manifest, you not only protect your organization but also demonstrate foresight and leadership.

2. Avoid isolated decision-making

Why avoid: Making decisions in isolation can hinder alignment with the broader business goals and create silos within the organization. It may also result in missed opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Do this instead: Foster collaborative decision-making

• Cross-functional teams: Gain diverse perspectives on security issues and solutions from departments such as IT, Development, Legal, HR, and even Finance. Collaborative efforts result in holistic and effective strategies. Engaging with non-technical persons can truly help you to "see" things from a different perspective.
• Regular communication: Meet regularly and communicate often with stakeholders so that they are informed and involved in the cybersecurity initiatives. Transparency builds trust and ensures everyone is on the same page. It also keeps security top of mind for them AND reminds them who you are for when things do happen.
• Inclusive culture: Encourage input and feedback from all levels of the organization. This inclusive approach can surface new ideas and foster a culture of continuous improvement. For example, interns in IT the department can be a bellwether for digital trends and preferences.

Collaboration ensures that security measures are aligned with business objectives and that the entire organization is working towards a common goal.

3. Avoid neglecting soft skills

Why avoid: Technical expertise alone is not sufficient for a cybersecurity leader. Neglecting soft skills such as open communication, authentic empathy, and servant leadership can result in poor team dynamics, low morale, and ineffective implementation of security protocols. Sure, the hard skills are what likely got you your role, but to succeed one must embrace the ability to communicate well in order to influence and motivate groups toward success.

Do this instead: Develop and practice soft skills

• Effective communication: Clearly articulate cybersecurity risks and strategies to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Use storytelling to make complex concepts understandable and engaging. The stories should be using examples which are common or well-known to the audience. Make it relevant to them, not convenient for yourself.
• Empathy and support: Show empathy towards your team members. Understand their challenges and provide the necessary support to help them succeed. This fosters loyalty and motivates them to perform at their best. This builds trust with the team when they know you care more about them than simply directing them to "get stuff done".
• Leadership development: Invest in leadership training for yourself and your team. Encourage mentoring and coaching to build a resilient and capable leadership pipeline within the cybersecurity function. Leaders are made, not born. And like any other practice, we have to continue to learn and exercise lest we forget or grow complacent. Challenge yourself and your team to continue to grow.

Strong soft skills help you inspire and lead your team effectively, driving better results and fostering a positive work environment.

4. Avoid ignoring emerging technologies

Why avoid: The cybersecurity landscape is continually evolving, and ignoring emerging technologies can leave your organization vulnerable to new types of threats. Stagnation can also prevent you from enhancing your security posture with new advancements and capabilities. And the longer you avoid a new technology your team might like to adopt, the higher the likelihood they'll use it without approval or leave for a more forward-thinking organization (e.g., AI and even quantum computing).

Do this instead: Embrace and invest in emerging technologies

• Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML): Utilize AI and ML for advanced threat detection, anomaly detection, and automated response. These technologies may be able to help you stay ahead of sophisticated cyber threats. Don't be afraid of technology!
• Blockchain: Explore blockchain for secure transactions and data integrity. Its decentralized nature may offer enhanced security for critical operations. This isn’t just vaporware, there are some interesting solutions using this technology which may be able to help your company enhance your security posture or manage your risks using this technology.
• Zero trust architecture: Implement zero trust principles to ensure that every access request is thoroughly verified, regardless of its origin within or outside the network.

By staying abreast of technological advancements and integrating them into your security strategy, you can significantly enhance your organization’s defenses.

5. Avoid short-term thinking

Why avoid: Focusing only on short-term goals can lead to inadequate investment in sustainable security practices and infrastructure. This short-sightedness can expose your organization to long-term risks and missed opportunities for strategic growth.

Do this instead: Adopt a long-term vision

• Strategic planning: Develop a long-term cybersecurity strategy that aligns with your organization’s overall business objectives. Ensure that your plans are flexible to adapt to the ever-changing threat landscape.
• Investment in talent: Invest in the continuous development of your cybersecurity team. Encourage certifications, ongoing education, and professional growth to keep the team skilled and motivated.
• Sustainability and resilience: Focus on building a resilient security infrastructure that can withstand and quickly recover from cyber incidents. Implement disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure minimal disruption during attacks.

A long-term vision positions you as a forward-thinking leader who is committed to the sustained security and success of the organization.

Conclusion

Transformational leadership in cybersecurity means avoiding common pitfalls and embraces proactive, collaborative, and long-term strategies. By focusing on proactive security, fostering collaboration, developing soft skills, embracing emerging technologies, and adopting a long-term vision, you can lead your organization to greater resilience and success.

Your leadership will not only protect the organization but also inspire and motivate your team, setting a standard for excellence in the cybersecurity industry.