Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2024. Read them in this 16th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
It’s not all about AI: CISOs must also prioritize collaboration and automation in 2024
By Marie Wilcox, Security Evangelist at Panaseer
CISOs stand at a critical juncture in 2024. With data breaches tripling over the last decade and emerging technologies such as AI bringing both opportunities and risks, there is an urgent need for proactive security strategies that have full support and input from the board. However, this task is becoming increasingly challenging: our recent survey revealed that only 47% of security leaders are confident that their C-suite fully comprehends cybersecurity issues.
This gap in understanding hinders effective collaboration between CISOs and senior management, posing a significant hurdle in addressing the organization’s cybersecurity needs.
As regulators begin to increase pressure on businesses, such as the SEC’s new rules on cybersecurity disclosure and the EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), the importance of comprehensive reporting from CISOs has escalated. In this new landscape, proactive security strategies must be driven by reliable data that empower security teams in their day-to-day, identify risks sooner, and keep the C-suite informed on overall security posture with greater clarity.
Ultimately, this will require a new approach to security for many in the new year, both in terms of executive collaboration and technology stacks.
Addressing the Gapp
The subject of accountability has been at the forefront of discussions in the cybersecurity industry, especially following the SolarWinds SEC ruling. CISOs face a significantly increased level of accountability for security incidents, and the need for C-suite engagement in security strategy has never been higher.
The NIST framework’s introduction of the ‘Govern’ pillar has highlighted the importance of board-level involvement in cybersecurity, placing CISOs at the forefront of fostering boardroom awareness and ensuring that vital security protocols such as patching and auditing new vendors remain a priority. This expanded role demands that CISOs effectively communicate cybersecurity strategies, threats and data with executives, board members, and regulators in a manner that is understandable to them.
Recent research from Splunk confirms this trend, indicating that 47% of organizations now have their CISOs reporting directly to the CEO This shift underscores the boardroom’s growing recognition of CISO accountability and the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding organizational assets and reputation.
Preparing Security Teams for the AI-Driven Threat Landscape
CISOs grappling with the impact of AI in 2024 have a lot to consider. While they will be looking into AI solutions that can inform critical decision making and automate certain security controls, the primary goal of any good CISO is to effectively prepare their security teams for new and evolving threats.
These leaders are already well aware of how AI enhances the threat landscape: 3 in 4 security leaders report being concerned about threat actors using AI to find gaps in their organizations’ security controls. But this isn’t the only concern. As these leaders plan for the year ahead, many are focused on how their security teams can keep up with the increasing speed of AI-supported IT development.
In our recent survey, 79% of IT and security leaders reported being surprised by a security incident that evaded security controls in the last year, and now AI has the potential to catalyse IT deployments faster than security teams may be able to keep up with.
A key consideration for next year will need to be how CISOs can empower their team with the ability to observe and control that risk exposure in real-time?
Leveraging Automation: A CISO’s Strategic Imperative for Proactive Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity strategies in 2024 will shift towards preventative and proactive measures as security leaders look to turn the tide against threat actors. While traditional cybersecurity measures remain essential, CISOs must also embrace automation as a strategic method to empower their teams and elevate the organization’s overall security posture.
Over the last year, regulations have been demanding higher standards for security monitoring within organizations, and high-profile supply chain incidents such as the MOVEit breach have underlined the importance of fundamental security controls such as patching and threat detection. For security teams, each headline-making incident draws attention to the need for continuous, real-time visibility into all assets, and in 2024 it will become a must have for all enterprises.
CISOs have a pivotal responsibility in implementing automated solutions that effectively support their security teams and enhance the organization’s overall cybersecurity posture. By embracing automation, CISOs can empower their teams to operate more effectively, comply with regulations, and gain real-time visibility into the effectiveness of their security controls. This strategic approach is crucial for safeguarding organizations in the ever-changing digital world.
The EU’s Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), with a deadline of January 2025, will have wide-spread implications for the global finance and professional services industries, calling for continuous monitoring of IT security. This level of monitoring is almost impossible to achieve without automation, and as DORA sets the tone for wider regulations and frameworks, the value of automated security monitoring will be pushed into the spotlight.
Security leaders will need to get their executives on board with newly emerging strategies such as automation to receive the resources they need for their implementation. Meanwhile, boardrooms will be under immense pressure to stay informed on their organization’s security strategies in order to remain compliant under the new regulations.
As the cybersecurity landscape evolves and the sophistication of threats increases, CISOs must adopt a proactive approach that empowers their teams, fosters trust with the C-suite, and enhances their organization’s security posture. By effectively communicating cybersecurity strategies, leveraging automation, and preparing their teams for the emerging threat of AI, CISOs can improve their leadership and build trust with senior stakeholders, ultimately creating a more resilient organization.
##
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marie Wilcox is a Security Evangelist at Continuous Control Monitoring platform, Panaseer. Marie has nearly 20 years of experience working in cybersecurity, complex engineering, and technology and serves as a member of the Board of Directors at the CIISec. Within her role, she speaks to countless CISOs about their security strategies, their pain points, and the role of security data in achieving success.
