Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

CISOs oversee strategic, operational and budgetary aspects of information assets and technology protection and resilience.

Role overview

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) develops information security policies and procedures for a business or organization. They manage teams of security analysts, information security specialists, and fellow executives to identify and manage security threats for the business. CISOs work in organizations across all sectors, carefully monitoring for security vulnerabilities and allocating resources to increase efficacy and efficiency.

CISOs

may also be referred to as:

Business Information Security Officer (BISO)

Chief Information Security Officer

Chief of Security Operations

Chief of Staff Information Security

Chief Risk Officer

Corporate Information Security Officer

Deputy CISO

Deputy Information Security Officer

Information Security Compliance Officer

Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer

Vice President Information Security Officer

Career Path

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Average Salary

Based upon experience, salary for this role ranges from:

$240,000

National Average

$320,000

$400,000

* based upon those with two plus years of cybersecurity experience

Responsibilities

• Managing their organization’s overall security practices and needs.

• Identifying weaknesses within existing security solutions and developing policies and practices to remedy them.

• Introducing new technology to the business, overseeing education programs, and providing security guidance to personnel.

• Preparing budgets for security operations and maintenance.

• Carrying out risk assessments and audits to ensure regulatory compliance.

• Building a strong security team to carry out their strategic plans.

Tools & Environment

CISOs need education and experience in cybersecurity, computer software and hardware, and the applicable regulations and compliance requirements. CISOs are also expected to understand security technology such as DNS, routing, authentication, VPN, proxy services, ethical hacking, and firewall intrusion protocols.

Certifications

Category	Organization	Certification
Manage	(ISC)2	CISSP
Manage	(ISC)2	CISSP-ISSMP
Manage	ASIS	CPP
Manage	ASIS	APP
Manage	EC-Council	E\|ISM
Manage	EC-Council	CCISO
Manage	GAQM	CISSM
Manage	GIAC	GSLC
Manage	GIAC	GSTRT
Manage	ISACA	CISM
	Organization