Chief Information Security Officer
A senior-level executive responsible for developing and implementing an information security program, which includes procedures and policies designed to protect enterprise communications, systems and assets from both internal and external threats.
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Sample Job Descriptions for Chief Information Security Officer
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is an executive-level role responsible for developing and implementing an information security program, which includes procedures and policies designed to protect enterprise communications, systems, and assets from both internal and external threats. The incumbent may also be tasked with ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and managing information security governance processes.
Required Skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong leadership and decision-making skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects while paying strict attention to detail
- Understanding of complex IT systems and the cybersecurity landscape
- Knowledge of cybersecurity policy formulation and implementation
- Ability to translate complex information across all levels of the organization
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or related field
- Understanding of industry-standard frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001, ITIL, COBIT, NIST
- Some experience with auditing, and risk management, as well as contract and vendor negotiation
- Familiarity with Cloud computing/Emerging technologies, Architecture, and IT Security best practices
- Basic knowledge of operating systems, databases, and networking
- Excellent communication skills and experience in planning and organization
- Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams
Responsibilities
- Establish and maintain the enterprise vision, strategy, and program to ensure information assets are adequately protected
- Identify, evaluate, and report on information security risks in a manner that meets compliance and regulatory requirements
- Develop, implement, and monitor a strategic, comprehensive information security and IT risk management program
- Work with stakeholders to define metrics and reporting strategies that effectively communicate successes and progress of the security program
- Provide leadership to the enterprise's information security organization
- Coordinate information security projects with resources from the IT organization and business unit teams
- Manage information security incident response
- Ensure customer privacy and compliance with relevant data protection regulations
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for establishing and maintaining the enterprise vision, strategy, and program to ensure information assets are adequately protected. The CISO directs staff in identifying, developing, implementing, and maintaining processes across the organization to reduce information and information technology (IT) risks. They respond to incidents, establish appropriate standards and controls, manage security technologies, and direct the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures.
Required Skills
- Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional, interdisciplinary teams to achieve tactical and strategic goals.
- Strong analytical skills to analyze security needs and relate them to appropriate security controls.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate security and risk-related concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Strong understanding of the business impact of security tools, technologies, and policies.
- Strong project management, financial/budget management, scheduling, and resource management skills.
- Ability to maintain a high level of discretion and personal integrity in the exercise of duties, including the ability to professionally address confidential matters.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Security, or a related field.
- Professional security management certifications such as CISSP, CISA, CISM, or equivalent.
- Proven experience in a similar role, ideally in an information security position.
- Knowledge of common information security management frameworks, such as ISO/IEC 27001 and NIST.
- Experience with contract and vendor negotiations and management including managed services.
- Experience with Cloud computing/EaaS/IaaS/PaaS/SaaS environments.
- Experience with incident response and response planning.
Responsibilities
- Develop, implement, and monitor a strategic, comprehensive enterprise information security and IT risk management program.
- Work with the business and IT to identify, evaluate, and report on IT and information security risks in a manner that meets compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Create and manage information security and risk management awareness training programs for all employees, contractors, and approved system users.
- Work directly with the business units to facilitate IT risk assessment and risk management processes, and work with stakeholders throughout the enterprise on identifying acceptable levels of residual risk.
- Manage the enterprise's information security organization, consisting of direct reports and indirect reports. This includes hiring, training, staff development, performance management, and annual performance reviews.
- Coordinate with organization-wide compliance, risk, and legal entities to ensure that all information owned, collected, or controlled by or on behalf of the company is processed and stored in accordance with applicable laws and other global regulatory requirements.
- Manage security incidents and events to protect corporate IT assets, including intellectual property, regulated data, and the company's reputation.
- Monitor the external threat environment for emerging threats and advise relevant stakeholders on the appropriate courses of action.
- Coordinate with the IT department to ensure alignment between security and enterprise architectures, thus coordinating the strategic planning implicit in these architectures.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a senior-level executive responsible for establishing and maintaining the enterprise vision, strategy, and programs necessary to ensure information assets and technologies are adequately protected. The CISO directs staff in identifying, developing, implementing, and maintaining processes across the organization to reduce information and information technology (IT) risks, respond to incidents, establish appropriate standards and controls, and direct the establishment and implementation of policies and procedures. The CISO is also responsible for information-related compliance.
Required Skills
- Exceptional leadership and management skills, capable of motivating and guiding teams and individuals.
- Strategic thinking with the ability to plan and execute on a vision.
- Strong analytical skills to understand complex technical issues and their implications for the business.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively present to stakeholders and engage in productive dialogue.
- Proficient in incident management and response, risk assessment, and crisis management.
- Ability to collaborate and build consensus across a variety of business units.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Security, Cybersecurity, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a combination of risk management, information security, and IT jobs.
- Knowledge of common information security management frameworks, such as ISO/IEC 27001, NIST, and others.
- Professional security management certification, such as a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or other similar credentials.
- Experience with contract and vendor negotiations and managing relationships with various stakeholders.
- Demonstrated understanding of IT and security-related technology products and services.
- History of working effectively in a high-level collaborative environment and promoting a teamwork mentality.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive information security strategy and program to ensure information asset protection.
- Lead the information security governance process, including the establishment of an information security and risk management committee.
- Work with the organization's executive leadership to oversee the formation and operations of enterprise information security functions.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of information security policies, standards, and guidelines encompassing data, infrastructure, and applications.
- Identify, evaluate, and report on information security risks in a manner that meets compliance and regulatory requirements.
- Manage security incidents and events to protect corporate IT assets, including intellectual property, regulated data, and the company’s reputation.
- Mentor and lead a team of information security professionals, providing guidance and direction for the company's cybersecurity measures.
- Coordinate with stakeholders to improve security posture and incident response planning.
- Develop and oversee effective disaster recovery policies and standards to align with company business continuity management program goals.
- Coordinate the use of external resources involved in the information security program, including auditors, external security expertise, and law enforcement when necessary.
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