--- title: HOW A TOP CISO PROTECTS AN ORGANISATION description: "Article based on event \" HOW A TOP CISO PROTECTS AN ORGANISATION” organised by Pointury for Mimecast and Easi" image: https://www.pointury.com/hubfs/BE20240306%20Top%20CISO%20Banner.png --- ![Pointury White Banner connecting](https://www.pointury.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pointury%20White%20Banner%20connecting.png?width=250&height=100&name=Pointury%20White%20Banner%20connecting.png "Pointury White Banner connecting") - [Home](https://www.pointury.com) - [Upcoming Events](https://www.pointury.com#upcoming) - [Past Events](https://www.pointury.com#past) - [Articles](https://www.pointury.com#articles) - [Services](https://www.pointury.com/services) - [Training](https://www.pointury.com/services#webinars) - [Round Tables](https://www.pointury.com/services#round-tables) - [Community](https://www.pointury.com/services#community) - [Company](https://www.pointury.com/company) - [About us](https://www.pointury.com/company#about-us) - [How do we do it?](https://www.pointury.com/company#what-we-do) - [Partners](https://www.pointury.com/company#partners) - [Advisory Board](https://www.pointury.com/company#advisory) - [What participants say](https://www.pointury.com/company#quotes) - [Publications](https://www.pointury.com/publications) - [Blogs](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/blogs) - [Articles](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/articles) - [Past Events](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/events) - [Videos](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/videos) - [Contact us](https://www.pointury.com/publications/top-ciso#contact) - [English](https://www.pointury.com/publications/top-ciso) - [Français](https://www.pointury.com/fr/publications/top-ciso) - [Nederlands](https://www.pointury.com/nl/publications/top-ciso) en [Back to blog](https://www.pointury.com/publications) # HOW A TOP CISO PROTECTS AN ORGANISATION ![Picture of Luc Brouwers](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c2b0bc244d014dd5c1ffdc6af9ca1fcf) [Luc Brouwers](https://www.pointury.com/publications/author/luc-brouwers) Mar 6, 2024, 11:00:00 PM [blogs](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/blogs) [events](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/events) ![BE20240306 Top CISO Banner](https://www.pointury.com/hs-fs/hubfs/BE20240306%20Top%20CISO%20Banner.png?width=720&height=405&name=BE20240306%20Top%20CISO%20Banner.png)On Wednesday March 6, 2024 we had another great Pointury event about cybersecurity with [Johan Kestens](https://www.linkedin.com/in/johankestens/) and [Marc Vael](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcvael/) as keynote speakers. ![IMG\_2523](https://www.pointury.com/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_2523.jpeg?width=720&height=540&name=IMG_2523.jpeg) How a top CISO protects its organisation against cyber threats The latest Pointury round table discussion, held in Steenokkerzeel on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, brought together 20 Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in a dynamic exchange with representatives from Mimecast, Easi, and myself. The focal point of the discussion delved into the intricate world of a modern-day CISO, where the defence against cyber threats orchestrates a symphony of resilience, high-stakes decisions, and meticulous strategies to fortify our digital fortresses. The event proved to be an inspiring gathering, marked by active participation from all the digital leaders present. The CISO's responsibilities are summarised in four key pillars: **A. DESIGN** Enterprise Governance Information Security Strategy **B. ASSESS** Information Security Risk Assessment Information Security Risk Response **C. RESPOND** Incident Management Readiness Incident Management Operations **D. EXECUTE** Information Security Program Development Information Security Program Management The key success factors are captured by the formula 4C x 3I x 2I x 0. ![4C x 3I x 2S x O](https://www.pointury.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4C%20x%203I%20x%202S%20x%20O.png?width=700&height=300&name=4C%20x%203I%20x%202S%20x%20O.png) Today's core challenges for a CISO are Cybersecurity Arms Race The ongoing arms race in cybersecurity is fueled by advancements in artificial intelligence, which simultaneously reinforces both cyber attacks and defence mechanisms. Compounded by political instability and geopolitical tensions, the industry finds itself in the midst of a cyberwar. Regulatory Landscape Cybersecurity, once regarded as a business decision, has evolved into a fundamental obligation. Legislation such as NIS2 now regulates this landscape, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive security measures. Complex Systems Weakness The complexity of modern systems is a vulnerability in itself. With trillions of lines of code in existence, there are approximately 120,000 lines of code per person on Earth, spanning 700 programming languages, 150 database technologies, and 100 operating systems. Historically, there is one vulnerability per 1000 lines of code, highlighting the vast number of potential weaknesses. Human Factor Despite technological advancements, people remain the weakest link. Phishing, reinforced by AI and insider threats, continues to be a significant threat. CISOs must address the human element as a critical aspect of their cybersecurity strategy. It never stops Continuous Automation: SOAR Continuous Deployment: SBOM Continuous Collaboration: Cybersecurity Coalitions Continuous Validation: Audits & Testing Continuous Communication: with audience specific messages Continuous Education: tip: check [Perlego](https://www.perlego.com/), the digital library This repetitive aspect of a CISO's job is comparable to the mythical struggle of Sisyphus. A CISO is destined to constantly combat evolving threats. Beyond technical aspects, they must effectively communicate and market security initiatives to the board and user community, finding satisfaction in the relentless pursuit of a secure digital environment. ![sisyphus](https://www.pointury.com/hs-fs/hubfs/sisyphus.jpeg?width=708&height=601&name=sisyphus.jpeg) Conclusion The Pointury round table provided valuable insights into the evolving role of CISOs, urging a holistic approach to cybersecurity that encompasses technology, regulations, human factors, and strategic communication. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, CISOs must navigate these challenges with resilience and innovation to safeguard our digital future. Our partners of this event. Since 2003, [Mimecast](https://www.mimecast.com/) has stopped bad things from happening to good organizations by enabling them to work protected. We empower over 40,000 customers to mitigate risk and manage complexities across a threat landscape driven by malicious cyberattacks, human error, and technology fallibility. Our advanced solutions provide proactive threat detection, brand protection, awareness training, and data retention capabilities evolving workplaces need today. Mimecast transforms email and collaboration security into the eyes and ears of organizations worldwide. [Easi](https://easi.net/en) is an all-round IT solutions and service provider that embodies Human Excellence. They want to equip companies with an optimum IT set-up, where they take full responsibility for the security of their infrastructure and software applications. Check out upcoming events and other interesting articles on [www.pointury.com](https://www.pointury.com/?hsLang=en). View Comments Hide Comments [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://www.pointury.com/publications/top-ciso) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://www.pointury.com/publications/top-ciso) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.pointury.com/publications/top-ciso) ## Related Articles ## [CYBERSECURITY INCIDENTS](https://www.pointury.com/publications/cybersec-incidents?hsLang=en) ![Picture of Luc Brouwers](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c2b0bc244d014dd5c1ffdc6af9ca1fcf) [Luc Brouwers](https://www.pointury.com/publications/author/luc-brouwers) Sep 25, 2024, 11:00:00 PM ![CYBERSECURITY INCIDENTS](https://www.pointury.com/hubfs/BE20240925%20Security%20Incidents%20Banner-2.png) [blogs](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/blogs) [events](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/events) On September 25, 2024, Pointury hosted an insightful roundtable about cyber security with keynote speakers [Marc Vael](https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcvael/) and [Tom De Laet.](https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-de-laet/) [Read More](https://www.pointury.com/publications/cybersec-incidents?hsLang=en) 0 Comments ## [SAFEGUARDING VITAL SYSTEMS](https://www.pointury.com/publications/vital-systems?hsLang=en) ![Picture of Luc Brouwers](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/c2b0bc244d014dd5c1ffdc6af9ca1fcf) [Luc Brouwers](https://www.pointury.com/publications/author/luc-brouwers) Mar 21, 2024, 11:00:00 PM ![SAFEGUARDING VITAL SYSTEMS](https://www.pointury.com/hubfs/BE2040321%20Cyber%20in%20Federal%20Banner.png) [blogs](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/blogs) [events](https://www.pointury.com/publications/tag/events) On Thursday March 21, 2024 we had another great Pointury event about cybersecurity with [Taco Mulder](https://www.linkedin.com/in/t-m-92947735/) and [Steven De Mot](https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevendm/) as keynote speakers. 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