Boards of directors are increasingly recognizing cybersecurity as a vital business function. This shift is driven by the growing number of threats and the high cost of noncompliance—not only financially but reputationally. According to Gartner, by 2026, 70% of boards will include a cybersecurity expert, underlining how integral security has become to corporate strategy. Still, 38% of CISOs report stagnant or declining budgets. While many boards acknowledge the importance of cybersecurity and even want CISOs to report directly to them, a disconnect remains: Security leaders often fail to frame their initiatives in business-centric terms, leaving boards unclear on cybersecurity's true value.
Having led security teams since the age of 18, including in national defense and at companies like CyberArk, and now serving as a CEO who regularly presents to boards, I’ve observed where these misalignments originate. In my experience, CISOs commonly encounter five key challenges when justifying security expenditures. Here’s how to overcome them:
- Speak the Board's Language
Board members typically aren’t security experts—they care about protecting key assets and maintaining operational and financial stability. CISOs must reframe technical discussions into business terms, focusing on risk reduction and continuity. For instance, rather than discussing patching rates, present how timely patching of critical systems could have prevented incidents like the Equifax breach, which resulted in a $700 million settlement. Frame security investments in terms of reducing the likelihood and cost of such events. Swap technical metrics like mean time to respond with business-centric ones like mean time to impact. - Consolidate Tools and Data
Many security environments suffer from tool sprawl—disconnected, redundant tools that increase costs and reduce visibility. According to Enterprise Strategy Group, 75% of organizations use more than 20 security tools (ESG Report). CISOs should consolidate their toolsets, selecting solutions that integrate seamlessly and centralize data analysis. For example, using platforms like Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR or Microsoft Sentinel can improve integration and visibility, enabling quicker, data-driven decisions. This reduces overlap, enhances situational awareness, and simplifies demonstrating risk mitigation and cost savings. - Automate Security Workflows
Despite the buzz, AI and automation are indispensable. Manual tasks like patching, triaging, and reporting are inefficient and error-prone. AI-driven automation tools—such as IBM QRadar SOAR or CrowdStrike Falcon—accelerate response times, prioritize actions based on contextual intelligence, and enable self-healing systems that patch or isolate vulnerabilities automatically. For instance, Cisco’s SecureX integrates automated threat response across email, endpoint, cloud, and network, significantly reducing response times. Automation frees teams to focus on strategic threats and higher-value analysis. - Reframe Security as a Business Enabler
Security is often viewed as a hindrance to innovation due to rigid policies and a lack of clear KPIs. To shift this perception, CISOs must use data to show how security enables transformation and ensures regulatory compliance. For example, mapping security investments to support cloud transformation initiatives or achieving ISO 27001 certification can help boards see security as an enabler of new business opportunities. Benchmarking tools such as BitSight or SecurityScorecard provide external views on security posture and help demonstrate how the organization compares to competitors (SecurityScorecard). Tracking compliance metrics like audit pass rates and adherence to frameworks such as NIST or SOC 2 builds trust and supports informed decision-making. - Measure Security Maturity and ROI
IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report found that companies leveraging AI and automation cut breach costs by $2.2 million. However, demonstrating ROI remains difficult when maturity models don’t align with business goals. Use models like FAIR (Factor Analysis of Information Risk) to quantify risk in financial terms. For example, you can say, "A breach in our customer database would cost us $4M in lost revenue and legal penalties," providing a tangible business impact. Tools like RiskLens support FAIR analysis (RiskLens). Develop maturity tracking that ties security improvements to business outcomes such as reduced insurance premiums, minimized downtime, or faster incident response.
CISOs who successfully align security initiatives with overarching business objectives gain stronger board support and are viewed as strategic leaders. By adopting a language and framework that resonates with the board, you can become a critical enabler of business success and growth.
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