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Understanding the Evolving Role of the CISO: Insights from the 2025 Report

The State of the CISO 2025 Report, recently released by IANS Research and Artico Search, provides a comprehensive examination of the changing landscape for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). With the participation of over 830 security leaders, the report offers valuable insights into the shifting responsibilities and challenges faced by CISOs in today’s complex cybersecurity environment.

Key Findings and Trends

1. Expanding Responsibilities

A significant trend identified in the report is the expanding scope of responsibilities for CISOs. Many are now tasked with overseeing not just cybersecurity, but also business risk management, IT oversight, and digital transformation initiatives. However, only a small percentage (3%) report that their expanded roles have been positively correlated with salary increases.

2. The Importance of Strategic Influence

The research categorizes CISOs into three segments based on their organizational influence:

• - Strategic CISOs (28%): These leaders have considerable access to the C-suite and influence in boardrooms, enabling them to align cybersecurity with overarching business goals. They benefit significantly in terms of compensation—earning 57% more than their functional counterparts and twice that of tactical CISOs.
• - Functional CISOs (50%): Individuals in this group hold some influence but lack the consistent visibility across both the C-suite and board.
• - Tactical CISOs (22%): Often relegated to back-office technical roles, their access to senior leadership is limited.

Effective communication and alignment between cybersecurity initiatives and business strategies have become crucial for professional advancement among CISOs.

3. Board Engagement

An alarming insight from the report is that only 47% of CISOs engage with their boards regularly. This lack of consistent interaction with board members indicates an opportunity for improvement. The level of board engagement correlates with job satisfaction; those with regular access report higher satisfaction levels in their roles.

4. Career Advancement Opportunities

Hybrid roles, such as dual CISO/CIO positions or external board seats, are becoming increasingly common. These roles allow experienced CISOs to enhance their influence and potentially command higher salaries. Upskilling to include business risk understanding and IT oversight is becoming essential to thrive in these evolving positions.

5. The Shift Towards Business Strategy

As the CISO role transitions from a purely technical position to one encompassing business strategy, leaders capable of aligning cybersecurity with organizational goals are seen as transformative assets within their companies. This shift emphasizes the need for security leaders to develop business acumen in addition to technical expertise.

Conclusion

The State of the CISO 2025 Report underscores the pivotal role that CISOs play in not only safeguarding organizational assets but also shaping business strategies. Their increasing responsibilities necessitate stronger ties to executive leadership and the board, establishing them as essential players in the business landscape. As cybersecurity threats evolve, so too must the capabilities and influences of those at the helm of information security.

For a deeper dive into the findings and to understand how the CISO role is evolving, you can access the full CISO 2025 Summary Report available through IANS Research.

About the Authors

IANS Research: Specializing in providing actionable insights for security leaders, IANS offers a rich network of experienced practitioners.
Artico Search: Founded in 2021, Artico is acclaimed for its recruitment services targeting senior security executives across various sectors.