5 Ways to Make an Impression During Your CISO Job Interview

5 Ways to Make an Impression During Your CISO Job Interview

What does a global CISO role entail? Although technology skills, competence, and awareness are clearly important, here are five other areas where you can stand out during the hiring process.

1. You’ve made it to the top – but can you take it to the board?

Tech-savvy board members are rare. A successful CISO knows how to present cybersecurity threats, risks, and mitigation in a business-focused manner.

To impress board members, show them you can explain complex cybersecurity issues in simple terms. Your future employer will be looking for “executive presence” who can confidently address the board. CISOs must keep their organizations informed about new threats, technologies, practices, and regulations. Incorporate metrics and reporting into your explanations of risks, requirements, and goals. 

2. Be a business enabler

The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) encompasses far more than technical aspects of cybersecurity. In many cases, the CISO function is not integrated with the broader IT team – the role requires someone who can strike a balance between security and business objectives. And you must be able to convey this message in a manner that inspires confidence in your security strategy and program.

To be considered for a CISO position, you must demonstrate your ability to align security with the business's overall goals. Your role is not to secure everything; rather, it is to facilitate the secure flow of information and to ensure that people can accomplish their objectives in a reasonably secure manner. Demonstrate your ability to align security objectives with the business's overall goals and mission – and your willingness to collaborate with all stakeholders to effect change in processes or culture. 

3. Be a people person

The best CISOs are influencers, capable of assembling strong teams of subject matter experts – and then stepping aside to allow them to do their jobs. Numerous cybersecurity strategies entail some level of process or cultural change; your ability to maintain a diplomatic demeanor while attempting to comprehend disparate business and technology objectives in the context of managing and mitigating risks will be critical to your success in the job. Perhaps most importantly, your ability to communicate effectively and effectively during a crisis situation or cyberattack is critical.

Prepare to discuss your management style, soft interpersonal skills, and how you handle pressure. Be able to respond to hypothetical or real-world questions about how you would manage communications during a crisis.

4. Get your head in the clouds

There has been a significant shift to the cloud, which has resulted in an evolution of security responsibilities. Many organizations are built almost entirely on cloud-based applications – this is where they store and access their data, and this is where a significant portion of your risk mitigation will focus.

Jobs requiring public cloud security expertise remain open on average for 79 days – there is a shortage. 90% of CISOs admit to being unsure of their role in securing a SaaS environment. At a time when cloud security is a strategic imperative, your ability to articulate a strategy for a top-down, security-first culture will serve you well.

5. Have a plan in mind

Obviously, you lack insight into how their company operates, but a strong candidate can articulate their approach to their first few months in the role. How much do you know about their industry? What are the obstacles? What distinguishes them from their competitors? Which of the following would you prioritize? How would you go about performing a data inventory? Communicate risk to the board of directors? Which controls would you implement, and how would you respond in the event of an incident?

How would you build a team if you were the company's first CISO? Which skills would you like to bring in-house?

Consider how this would apply specifically to the business at which you're interviewing, and you'll demonstrate an ability to think in terms of their organization, rather than simply repeating what worked at your previous employer.

Be the needle in the haystack

As the CISO role evolves, organizations will seek candidates who can combine technical expertise with communication and people management abilities. Your ability to demonstrate that you understand the business and speak the c-language suite's should help you impress. Best of luck!