What is a CISO (chief information security officer)?The CISO (chief information security officer) is a senior-level executive responsible for developing and implementing an information security program, which includes procedures and policies designed to protect enterprise communications, systems and assets from both internal and external threats. Show
The CISO may also work alongside the chief information officer to procure cybersecurity products and services and to manage disaster recovery and business continuity plans. The chief information security officer may also be referred to as the chief security architect, the security manager, the corporate security officer or the information security manager, depending on the company's structure and existing titles. When the CISO is also responsible for the overall corporate security of the company, which includes its employees and facilities, he or she may simply be called the chief security officer (CSO). CISO role and responsibilitiesIn addition to responding to data breaches and other security incidents, the CISO is tasked with anticipating, assessing and actively managing new and emerging threats. The CISO must work with other executives across different departments to align security initiatives with broader business objectives and mitigate the risks various security threats pose to the organization's mission and goals.  The chief information security officer's duties may include conducting employee security awareness training, developing secure business and communication practices, identifying security objectives and metrics, choosing and purchasing security products from vendors, ensuring that the company is in regulatory compliance with the rules for relevant bodies, and enforcing adherence to security practices. Other duties and responsibilities CISOs perform include ensuring the company's data privacy is secure, managing the Computer Security Incident Response Team and conducting electronic discovery and digital forensic investigations. CISO qualifications and certificationsA CISO is typically a skilled leader and manager with a strong understanding of information technology and security, who can communicate complicated security concepts to both technical and nontechnical employees. CISOs should have experience with risk management and auditing. Many companies require CISOs to have advanced degrees in business, computer science or engineering, and to have extensive professional working experience in information technology. CISOs also typically have relevant certifications such as Certified Information Systems Auditor and Certified Information Security Manager, issued by ISACA, as well as Certified Information Systems Security Professional, offered by (ISC)2. CISO salaryAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer and information systems managers, including CISOs, earned a median annual salary of $131,600 as of May 2015. According to Salary.com, the annual median CISO salary is $197,362. CISO salaries appear to be increasing steadily, according to research from IT staffing firms. In 2016, IT staffing firm SilverBull reported the median CISO salary had reached $224,000. This was last updated in October 2021 Continue Reading About CISO (chief information security officer)
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Who is responsible for security in an organization?A company's CISO is the leader and face of data security in an organization. The person in this role is responsible for creating the policies and strategies to secure data from threats and vulnerabilities, as well as devising the response plan if the worst happens.
Who is responsible for the development of the security plan?Key Roles and Responsibilities
The primary responsibility for the system security plan rests with the system owner, but developing a SSP is not a one-person job, and delivering a complete SSP typically requires input and active participation from many different sources and individuals.
Who's responsible for a successful implementation of a security policy?When all is said and done, the CISO is the one who establishes security policies and is responsible for communicating and enforcing strong security measures with the rest of the company.
Who owns the main responsibility of implementing the technological and security measures?While it is the responsibility of the Data Custodian to develop and implement operational procedures, it is the Data Owner's responsibility to review and approve these standards and procedures.
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