From Technologist to Business Leader: The Modern CISO

The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role once began and ended with technology: firewalls, compliance audits, and rapid response when things went wrong. These executives were the guardians of digital infrastructure, charged with defending systems, protecting sensitive data, and satisfying regulators.

Those responsibilities remain essential, but the role has expanded dramatically. Companies now expect CISOs to pair technical expertise with business acumen, providing strategic insight, board-level communication, and cultural leadership. According to Splunk’s 2025 CISO Report, 83% of CISOs participate in board meetings somewhat often or most of the time.

The traditional CISO profile no longer meets the demands of today’s business environment. To thrive, security leaders must expand their focus beyond technology considerations alone and embrace the broader responsibilities of a business executive.

Expanding Beyond Technology

As digital infrastructure becomes inseparable from business performance, stakeholders expect CISOs to apply their expertise far beyond the traditional aspects of the security function. SaaS companies require leaders who champion a “shift left” mentality, embedding security early in product development. In healthcare and financial services, CISOs must enforce strong controls and articulate the importance of compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). And in the industrial sector, where ransomware can cripple critical systems, the role requires leaders who can explain risks and put safeguards in place.

All of these challenges require more than technical mastery. The most effective CISOs frame risks in business terms and persuade senior leadership to respond.

What Sets CISO Candidates Apart

1. Breadth over depth

Deep specialization in a single area of security or industry builds expertise, but it can result in a limited perspective. The strongest CISO candidates have:

• Hands-on experience across product security, architecture, operations, and governance, providing a fuller view of the field and preparing them to oversee diverse teams.
• Visibility across functions through stretch assignments and projects outside the traditional scope that build influence and position them as trusted advisors across the business.
• Experience across multiple industries — each with its own regulatory requirements, business models, and security needs — making them more adaptable as new challenges arise.

2. Strong business communication

Clear, concise communication with company stakeholders is just as critical as technical mastery. The CISO candidates who thrive today:

• Translate technical risk into straightforward, actionable language that nontechnical leaders can understand.
• Consistently connect security issues to strategic outcomes — revenue, customer trust, regulatory risk — to strengthen credibility with executives and boards.
• Shape priorities and investment decisions, demonstrating a business-leader perspective rather than a purely technical one.

3. Turning incidents into proof points

Previous security incidents shouldn’t be hidden; they are opportunities to demonstrate crisis leadership. Strong CISO candidates:

• Treat incidents as tests of leadership, being open about what the event revealed about risk and controls.
• Document incident responses clearly, explaining decisions, tradeoffs, and coordination under pressure.
• Drive concrete improvements after incidents — process changes, technology upgrades, or KPI gains — that create a stronger security posture.

Staying Relevant in a Changing Landscape

Evolving into a modern CISO is not always a seamless shift for those accustomed to the role’s traditional scope. Today, success requires not only staying immersed in emerging technologies, but:

• Proactively building strong networks across the business,
• Learning from seasoned peers,
• Developing teams that can excel independently, and
• Continually stretching skills to contribute outside of their own department.

For many leaders, the CISO role isn’t the final destination, but a launchpad into a wide range of executive opportunities. Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) remain natural next steps, while virtual CISO (vCISO) positions offer flexibility and the chance to advise multiple organizations.

Finding leaders who embody this evolution isn’t easy. At JM Search, our Technology Practice specializes in identifying leaders who combine deep security expertise with the business acumen today’s environment demands. Learn more about how we can help strengthen your leadership team.