CyberBellum’s Jim Tiller on Mastering the Role of a Fractional CISO

In our latest episode of The Future of Threat Intelligence podcast, Jim Tiller, CISO at CyberBellum and a veteran in the cybersecurity industry with over 25 years of experience joins us to explore the intricacies of working as a fractional CISO. 

 

He offers a unique perspective on the role's challenges and rewards and emphasizes the importance of understanding business nuances, building trust with leadership, and developing a broad-spectrum knowledge of emerging technologies. Jim's insights shed light on measuring performance, effective communication, and essential skills provide invaluable guidance for navigating today's complex cybersecurity landscape. 

 

Topics discussed:

• The evolving role and challenges of being a fractional CISO in today's cybersecurity landscape.
• The importance of building human connections and speaking the language of business stakeholders for effective cybersecurity leadership.
• Strategies for measuring the success of a fractional CISO beyond traditional KPIs and metrics.
• Essential skills for CISOs, including humility, broad-spectrum technological knowledge, and the ability to get the gist of new concepts.
• The necessity of staying updated on threat intelligence and applying it effectively within your organizational structure.
• Tips for aspiring CISOs on how to start and thrive in the ever-changing world of cybersecurity. 

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Build strong human connections with stakeholders by understanding their language and business needs for effective cybersecurity leadership.
• Measure your success as a fractional CISO by demonstrating influence and trust rather than relying solely on traditional KPIs.
• Stay updated on the latest threat intelligence and apply it within your organization to bolster cybersecurity defenses.
• Develop a broad-spectrum knowledge of emerging technologies to enhance your overall understanding and decision-making capabilities.
• Communicate regularly with your team and organization, making cybersecurity updates engaging, relevant, and easy to understand.
• Learn continuously and be a professional learner to keep up with the rapid changes in the cybersecurity landscape.
• Demonstrate your value by showing how your decisions positively impact the organization's security posture and business goals.
• Identify and understand key performance indicators that truly reflect your effectiveness and impact as a fractional CISO.