There are various paths you can choose to become a Chief Information Security Officer. You could choose to invest in a bachelor’s, try internships, or look for relevant domain certifications to get started. However, most roles require at least a bachelor’s degree along with relevant work experience. Larger organizations often have stricter requirements. In this blog, we have broken down the complete roadmap to becoming a CISO in easy steps, so read on!
Who is a CISO?
A Chief Information Security Officer is the top person responsible for all information security operations within a company. More often than not, CISOs report directly to the CEO and might even have a seat on the board of directors.
They set the overall strategy for managing the organization’s information security resources. They decide how these resources are allocated and collaborate with departments. They often represent their organization in dealings with external parties, especially in larger companies.
Skills Needed For a CISO
The Certified CISO from the EC-Council is a key certification for CISOs. You will also need soft skills training to have superior communication, the ability to handle pressure, and strong leadership are something you cannot function without.
To be an effective CISO you need:
- Extensive experience in business management, information security risk management, and cybersecurity technologies
- Grasp of Linux, virtualization, and networking
- Knowledge of industry security standards – NIST, ISO, SANS, COBIT, and CERT
- Understand data privacy regulations – GDPR and local standards
- Experience with Secure SDLC, DevSecOps, or security automation
- Able to communicate the link between information security and business profitability
How To Become a CISO in 5 Steps
Here is the complete roadmap to becoming a CISO if you are starting from scratch or switching careers within IT. This roadmap will provide clarity on the bachelor’s you will need and exams you need to pass like the CISO Certification exam.
Self-Analysis
Not everyone is cut out to be Chief Information Security Officer. This role demands exceptional drive, determination, and a knack for leadership!
You’ll need to stay ahead of the curve with the latest trends and be ready to interact with various departments and high-ranking officials. Before diving into this career, take a good look at your own skills and long-term ambitions. Are you truly cut out for it?
Education
A bachelor’s in cybersecurity, computer science, or business administration is a great starting point. This is the least any organization will look for.
To reach the C-suite level, further education is often necessary. Most people eyeing the C-suite choose to pursue master’s degrees (and even doctorate) to prove their domain expertise.
Career Path
There are countless ways to work your way up to a CISO position. Every career journey is unique. Most people try to get in through opportunities in information security. Here are some career paths to choose from:
- IT Security Specialist: Many CISOs start as IT security specialists, focusing on securing networks, systems, and data. They move into management roles over time while gaining expertise in cybersecurity.
- Risk Management Professional: Some others begin as risk management professionals. Such a diverse background comes in handy for identifying vulnerabilities and implementing controls – skills needed as a CISO.
- Network Administrator: A network administrator role gives solid insights into IT infrastructure and security.
- Compliance Officer: This path often involves collaboration with IT teams to implement secure practices.
Hence, the competition is higher when interviewing for CISO roles. No matter the background you come from, a CISO certification will boost your chances of impressing the interviewer for a competitive job profile. We highly recommend reviewing the EC-Council’s requirements for the CISO certification exam as a guide.
Domain Certifications
The CISO certification exam is the best one if you can take the grind to pass it. If you do not have a relevant bachelor’s or want to upgrade your resume, these top information security certifications can help you get in through the door:
- CISSP
- CISM
- CISA
These will help demonstrate your expertise and dedication to the field.
Other valuable certifications include those from OSCP, SANS Technology Institute, ISFCE, IACIS, GIAC, and (ISC)2. Even basic certifications like CompTIA A+ can be beneficial, as well as ISACA’s Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) and Certified Information Systems Auditor.
Leadership Skills
A CISO also needs other skills than technical skills. Strong leadership and management abilities are the basic ones to start with. You will need to know how to effectively communicate, lead teams, and make strategic decisions. Here are some ways to do so:
- Participating in management training programs
- Get into a soft skills training course
- Develop these skills through corporate workshops
Conclusion
A bachelor’s degree is the basic educational requirement for becoming a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). However, many professionals in this role also hold a master’s degree and several certifications in IT or cybersecurity. Additionally, most CISOs have around 7 to 10 years of experience in the field. To prepare for the top cybersecurity certification exams, you will have to undergo training as these exams are hard.
In case, you are preparing your team for cybersecurity roles, EducationNest is one of the top corporate training providers. Their courses are all taught by industry leaders which makes them stand out from generic courses in the market.
