How has the CISO role changed according to the IANS report?

The CISO role has expanded, with more positions reaching executive levels and increased responsibilities reported by many CISOs.

What percentage of CISOs find their role unmanageable?

Approximately 28% of CISOs across all industries report their role is no longer manageable, with higher rates in specific sectors like education.

Why are CISO roles increasingly at the executive level?

The growing strategic importance of cybersecurity within organizations is driving CISOs into higher-ranking executive positions.

Home / Technology / CISOs Face Unmanageable Burdens as Roles Expand

CISOs Face Unmanageable Burdens as Roles Expand

20 Jan

•

Summary

Half of CISOs report increased responsibilities over the past year.
Executive-level CISO roles have significantly increased since 2023.
28% of CISOs find their current role unmanageable, rising in education.

CISOs Face Unmanageable Burdens as Roles Expand

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role has seen substantial evolution, with executive-level positions on the rise. Data indicates that by 2025, 47% of CISOs will hold executive-level titles, a significant jump from 33% in 2023. This elevation reflects the increasing strategic importance of cybersecurity within organizations.

Alongside this ascent, the scope of the CISO's responsibilities has also broadened considerably. Approximately 52% of CISOs are concerned that their expanded duties are becoming unmanageable, a sentiment particularly acute in smaller organizations. These expanded duties often encompass not only information security and business risk but also IT compliance, operations, and infrastructure management.

Despite the growing demands, the expanding role can foster greater collaboration, with many CISOs engaging frequently with CIOs and CTOs. Nonetheless, challenges persist. A notable 28% of CISOs across all sectors report their roles are no longer manageable, a statistic that escalates to 58% within the education industry, highlighting issues like understaffing and budget constraints.