Chief Information Security Officer job description

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is the executive leader responsible for establishing and maintaining the enterprise vision, strategy, and program to ensure information assets and technologies are adequately protected. This role is critical for safeguarding an organization's data integrity, maintaining regulatory compliance, and protecting against evolving cyber threats that could jeopardize business operations and reputation.

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What is a Chief Information Security Officer?

A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a C-suite executive responsible for an organization's overall information and data security strategy. They serve as the highest-ranking security professional, overseeing the protection of digital assets, managing cybersecurity risks, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. The CISO bridges the gap between technical security teams and business leadership, translating complex security concepts into business-impact terms for the board and other executives. This role requires both deep technical expertise and strong business acumen to align security initiatives with organizational objectives.

What does a Chief Information Security Officer do?

A Chief Information Security Officer develops and implements comprehensive information security strategies and policies to protect the organization's digital infrastructure. They lead cybersecurity teams in monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents while managing risk assessment and mitigation programs. The CISO oversees security architecture design, ensures regulatory compliance with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, and manages security budgets and vendor relationships. They also provide regular reports to the board on security posture, emerging threats, and risk management strategies, while fostering a culture of security awareness throughout the organization.

Job Overview

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level executive responsible for establishing and maintaining the enterprise vision, strategy, and program to ensure information assets and technologies are adequately protected. This role directs the development and implementation of security solutions and practices across the organization to mitigate risks, respond to incidents, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. The CISO serves as the primary point of contact for all information security matters and works closely with other executives to align security initiatives with business objectives.

Chief Information Security Officer responsibilities include:

1. Develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive enterprise information security and IT risk management program. 2. Lead the response to security incidents, providing expert guidance and ensuring proper containment, eradication, and recovery. 3. Establish and maintain information security policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures in compliance with regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and SOX. 4. Oversee regular security assessments, vulnerability testing, and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses. 5. Manage the security budget and allocate resources efficiently for security tools, technologies, and personnel. 6. Direct the implementation of security architectures, including cloud security, network security, and endpoint protection. 7. Provide regular reports to the board of directors and executive team on the status of the information security program and emerging threats. 8. Collaborate with legal, compliance, and audit teams to ensure adherence to data protection laws and industry standards.
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Must-Have Requirements

1. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related field. 2. Minimum of 10 years of experience in information security, with at least 5 years in a leadership role such as CISO, Director of Security, or equivalent. 3. Proven experience in developing and executing security strategies, policies, and incident response plans. 4. In-depth knowledge of security frameworks and standards such as NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls, and MITRE ATT&CK. 5. Hands-on experience with security technologies, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM, DLP, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools. 6. Strong understanding of regulatory requirements impacting information security in the U.S., such as GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and SOX. 7. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to articulate complex security concepts to non-technical stakeholders. 8. Relevant certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Business Administration, or a related field. 2. Experience in highly regulated industries such as finance, healthcare, or government. 3. Proven track record of managing security programs for large, complex organizations with multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP). 4. Experience with DevSecOps practices and integrating security into CI/CD pipelines. 5. Familiarity with emerging technologies such as zero-trust architecture, AI/ML in security, and threat intelligence platforms. 6. Previous experience presenting to and advising board members and C-level executives on security risks and investments. 7. Additional certifications such as CCSP, GSLC, or CRISC.

Bonus Skills

1. Experience in managing security for organizations with a global footprint and diverse regulatory landscapes. 2. Background in offensive security, such as penetration testing or red teaming, to better understand attacker methodologies. 3. Knowledge of industrial control systems (ICS) or operational technology (OT) security for manufacturing or critical infrastructure sectors. 4. Published research, speaking engagements, or thought leadership in the information security community. 5. Experience with mergers and acquisitions (M&A) security due diligence and integration.

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