5 Questions every CEO must ask their CISO

1. What is our current cybersecurity posture, and are we prepared to handle the latest threats?

This question ensures the CEO understands the organization’s overall risk level, the effectiveness of its defenses, and readiness to handle evolving threats like ransomware, AI-driven attacks, or insider threats.

2. Are we compliant with all relevant cybersecurity regulations and standards?

CEOs need to confirm that the company complies with regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, PCI DSS, or industry-specific standards to avoid legal penalties and reputational damage.

3. How are we addressing cybersecurity risks within our supply chain and third-party vendors?

With many breaches originating from third parties, this question ensures the CISO prioritizes vetting and monitoring vendor security to reduce exposure from the supply chain.

4. How quickly can we detect, respond to, and recover from a cyberattack?

This assesses the organization’s incident response plan, response times (MTTD/MTTR), and the CISO’s confidence in minimizing downtime and reputational impact during an attack.

5. Are we investing adequately in cybersecurity, and how do we measure ROI?

CEOs must ensure cybersecurity investments are proportionate to the risk level and aligned with business goals. They should also ask how the effectiveness of these investments is tracked.

Benchmarking a company’s cybersecurity posture is a critical step toward positioning itself as a secured global leader. By comparing their existing security framework against global standards such as ISO 27001, NIST, or CIS Controls, organizations can identify gaps and prioritize investments that enhance their defense mechanisms. This process not only ensures compliance with international regulations but also highlights areas where the company can exceed baseline requirements, setting them apart as a leader in cybersecurity. Regular benchmarking provides measurable data to demonstrate resilience, giving stakeholders confidence in the organization’s ability to protect sensitive data and maintain operational continuity.

Achieving recognition as a secured global leader goes beyond internal improvements; it requires proactive engagement with clients, partners, and the broader market. Benchmarking results can be used to communicate the company’s dedication to security excellence through certifications, case studies, and transparent reporting. Highlighting achievements such as industry compliance, robust incident response capabilities, or third-party validation signals to the global market that the organization values trust and accountability. By consistently benchmarking and showcasing their cybersecurity advancements, companies not only protect themselves from evolving threats but also gain a competitive edge by becoming a symbol of security and reliability in their industry.