What is a CISO?
A CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) is the executive responsible for information security within an organisation. The CISO develops, implements and oversees the cybersecurity policy and ensures that risks remain manageable.
The CISO safeguards the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information — across both IT and OT environments.
🎯 What does a CISO do?
The CISO:
- Develops and maintains the ISMS (Information Security Management System)
- Carries out risk assessments (e.g. based on ISO 27001, NIS2, IEC 62443)
- Sets security policies, procedures and awareness programmes
- Reports on threats, incidents and compliance to executive or board level
- Coordinates incident response (e.g. with SOC or CSIRT)
- Works alongside IT, OT, legal, HR, auditors and external supervisors
📊 Typical responsibilities
| Domain | Example tasks |
|---|---|
| Policy & strategy | Drafting security policy, planning budget, setting roadmaps |
| Risk management | Threat modelling, risk analyses, designing mitigating measures |
| Compliance | Demonstrable conformance with ISO 27001, BIO, NIS2, GMP |
| Incident response | Coordinating notifiable cyber incidents |
| Awareness | Security training, phishing simulations, behavioural change |
| Governance | Reports to C-level and auditors, participation in board meetings |
🧠 Where does the CISO sit in the organisation?
- The CISO usually reports to the CIO, CTO or executive/board
- In regulated sectors (such as finance, healthcare, industry), independence is essential
- Works closely with IT, OT and security teams, including SOC, SIEM and ISMS management
🛠️ Tools and standards the CISO manages or uses
- ISO 27001, ISO 27002, IEC 62443, NIST CSF
- SIEM, SOAR, EDR, CMDB, Vulnerability Management
- GRC platforms (Governance, Risk, Compliance)
- Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, risk register
- Policies for Access Control, Backup and Incident Management
🏭 The CISO in an OT context
In OT (industrial networks), the CISO also oversees:
- SCADA and PLC security
- Segmentation and network architecture (e.g. the Purdue Model)
- Risks related to production, safety and human action
- Collaboration with engineering and operations on Change Management and the zones and conduits model
✅ Competencies of an effective CISO
- Strong analytical thinking and a strategic outlook
- Knowledge of regulation as well as technology (from firewalls to OT risks)
- Strong communication skills (boardroom to shop floor)
- Experience with security frameworks and governance
- Ability to translate risks into business decisions
📌 In summary
The CISO is the strategic and operational pivot of information security, with the mission of protecting the organisation against digital threats while keeping it compliant and resilient.