Barriers Reporting Cybersecurity to the Board
Cybersecurity has become an increasingly important issue for boards of directors, leadership, and non-technical executives in recent years. Despite this growing awareness, there is often a disconnect when reporting cybersecurity to the board. Boards tend to focus primarily on the bottom line, while lacking a proper understanding of the technical language and nuances of cybersecurity threats and solutions. However, CISOs often cannot effectively connect cyber risk to the business outcomes that boards and other C-suite members prioritize.
Boardroom reporting provides a high-level overview of cybersecurity posture and key risks to bridge this gap. By reporting cybersecurity in a way that is accessible to non-technical board members, leaders can implement effective cybersecurity strategies without technical expertise. In turn, this helps organizations protect themselves against cyber threats and minimize the damage that can result from a successful breach.
Communication is Key
Cybersecurity information must be clear and concise for effective communication between CISOs and leadership. Boards prioritize accuracy and data-supported information over intricate details. Security reports should be easily understood by non-technical executives while providing the necessary information to make informed decisions about cybersecurity strategy and budget.
Cybersecurity reports to the board should include:
- High-level overview of security posture & potential risks
- Clear metrics and visuals that highlight key areas of concern
- Context that highlight the impact on business
- Recommended actions
- KPIs that demonstrate the effectiveness of the cybersecurity program
- Analysis of the effectiveness of existing security controls
- Information on compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards
- Reports of any incidents or breaches that have occurred
- Summary of the financial impact of risks and the potential costs of mitigation
When possible, avoid overly technical jargon. Visual aids like charts and graphs can help to illustrate complex concepts and facilitate understanding.
Prioritize Prevention
To prioritize prevention in executive cybersecurity reporting, present information in a way that resonates with the specific concerns of executives. This can include customized reports, dashboards, and metrics highlighting potential vulnerabilities and mitigation recommendations’ effectiveness.
Many organizations have dashboards that show the historical activity of what has happened and been exploited. However, a proactive view of potential threats is also essential. Organizations can reduce the likelihood of successful cyber attacks by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
Prevention is vital to effective cybersecurity. It is essential to communicate this to executives in a way that emphasizes the benefits of investing in prevention measures. By taking a proactive approach, organizations can better protect themselves against cyber threats and avoid financial and reputational damages resulting from a successful breach. Regardless of their priorities and business objectives, most executives understand that preventing a breach is in everyone’s best interest.
Reporting Cybersecurity to the Board with myCYPR
While no one can predict the future, having insight and understanding of potential risks can make all the difference. myCYPR is an invaluable tool for providing leadership with the information they need to connect cyber risk to tangible business outcomes. By using myCYPR, executives can stay up-to-date on their organization’s risk standings, and use this information to prioritize efforts and allocate budget effectively.
myCYPR helps keep security on the agenda with accurate risk representations that can be shared in every board meeting. This proactive approach to reporting lets executives make informed decisions using the most up-to-date information available, instead of relying on yearly or quarterly reports. Overall, this not only helps to improve the effectiveness of security measures, but also demonstrates the ROI of cybersecurity investments to the board.
myCYPR is committed to helping organizations unite their boardrooms with proactive insight and better communication. Contact us to learn how we can help you leverage myCYPR to enhance your executive-level cybersecurity reporting.
