Bhavesh Kumar, CISO & DPO, SK Finance

Cybersecurity As Business Strategy
Cybersecurity is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to enhance their operations and remain competitive in the market. Organizations can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and strengthen their security posture. In today’s digital landscape, Chief Information Officers (CIOs), Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are integral to an organization’s backbone. With technology driving both front-end and back-end operations, these roles are critical to ensuring streamlined and secure systems. In regulated industries, CISOs, CIOs, and CTOs often hold positions on board-level committees, reflecting their importance in shaping business strategy and safeguarding organizational assets.

Trust No One Approach For Safety
A "Security First" approach means embedding security by design from the very beginning of any technology or solution development. This proactive strategy ensures that security is not an afterthought but a foundational element, protecting both technology and data. The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, with traditional authentication methods giving way to advanced frameworks like zero-trust technology. In a zero-trust environment, no entity is inherently trusted, and continuous authentication is required to secure organizational systems.

Adapting To Emerging Threats
For CISOs, CIOs, and CTOs, there is no specific training program that prepares them for their roles. Instead, they must be domain experts in both technology and security. A combination of technical expertise, security knowledge, and leadership skills is essential to perform their duties effectively. These leaders must continuously adapt to new technologies and evolving threats to avoid becoming obsolete. Upgrading skills and staying ahead of technological advancements is crucial to supporting business objectives and maintaining a robust security posture.

CISOs And CTOs Lead Strategically
The primary goal of cybersecurity is not to outpace hackers but to protect the organization’s environment. CISOs and CTOs are uniquely positioned to do this because they understand their systems better than anyone else. By adopting a focused, risk-based approach, they can develop strategies tailored to their organization’s specific needs. Cybersecurity is not about engaging in a cat-and-mouse game with hackers but about creating a resilient defence mechanism that safeguards critical assets and ensures business continuity. In this ever-changing landscape, the key lies in proactive planning, continuous learning, and a commitment to security by design.