What Does a Chief Information Security Officer Do?
A chief information security officer is the executive responsible for developing and leading an organization’s information security strategy. Reporting to the CEO, CIO, or board, the CISO safeguards sensitive data, ensures regulatory compliance, and mitigates cyber risk across the enterprise.
The CISO oversees security architecture, incident response, third-party risk, and employee awareness programs. This role is essential in a digital-first business environment where cybersecurity threats are increasingly complex and costly. A strong CISO balances technical knowledge, risk management, and leadership to protect organizational assets and reputation.
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CISO Core Responsibilities
- Define and implement enterprise-wide information security strategy and policies
- Lead cybersecurity risk assessments and vulnerability management
- Oversee security operations center (SOC), threat detection, and incident response
- Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, SOX, PCI-DSS)
- Partner with IT, legal, HR, and executive leadership on data protection initiatives
- Manage third-party security assessments and vendor risk
- Develop security awareness training and phishing prevention programs
- Present regular security updates and risk briefings to executive leadership and boards
- Oversee security architecture reviews and technology investments
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Deep expertise in cybersecurity frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls)
- Familiarity with cloud security (AWS, Azure), EDR, IAM, and SIEM tools
- Incident response planning and digital forensics experience
- Understanding of legal and regulatory compliance (HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, etc.)
Soft skills
- Executive communication and risk storytelling
- Strategic leadership and team development
- Crisis management and decision-making under pressure
- Ethical judgment and cross-functional collaboration
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information systems, or a related field
- Master’s degree or MBA with a focus on risk, compliance, or technology preferred
Certifications
- CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) – required
- CISM, CISA, CRISC, or CCISO – highly preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in IT security, including 3–5+ years in senior leadership
- Experience managing security in cloud-first or hybrid environments
- Background in regulated industries (finance, healthcare, government)
- Prior responsibility for global or enterprise-scale security programs
National Average Salary
CISO salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is:
$211,560
Sample Job Description Templates for CISOs
Deputy CISO
Position Overview
A deputy CISO supports the chief information security officer by managing day-to-day cybersecurity operations, leading departmental initiatives, and serving as acting CISO when needed. This role provides hands-on leadership across risk management, compliance, and security operations.
Responsibilities
- Oversee security domains such as incident response, GRC, or architecture
- Manage team leads within the cybersecurity organization
- Develop and maintain security metrics and reporting dashboards
- Act as CISO proxy during meetings, audits, or escalations
- Lead implementation of new tools or policy frameworks
Requirements
Hard skills
- Hands-on experience with SIEM, IAM, and security frameworks
- Familiarity with compliance (NIST, ISO 27001, SOC2)
Soft skills
- Operational leadership and tactical execution
- Clear internal communication and escalation handling
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in IT, cybersecurity, or related; master’s preferred
Certifications
- CISSP required; CISM or CRISC preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 7+ years in cybersecurity with team leadership experience
- Familiarity with enterprise risk and board-level reporting
Interim CISO
Position Overview
An interim CISO provides short-term executive cybersecurity leadership during transitions, security incidents, or gaps in permanent staffing. This role ensures business continuity and rapid risk management response.
Responsibilities
- Maintain existing security posture, policies, and operations
- Respond to incidents, vendor inquiries, and regulatory timelines
- Conduct high-level risk reviews and compliance checks
- Support hiring or onboarding of a permanent CISO
- Advise executive team on urgent priorities or gaps
Requirements
Hard skills
- Broad enterprise security leadership experience
- Crisis management and executive advisory skills
Soft skills
- Executive composure and agility
- Clear, immediate communication and decision-making
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s required; master’s or executive training is a plus
Certifications
- CISSP or CISM required
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of cybersecurity experience, including interim or transition roles
- Experience stabilizing security programs in enterprise or high-growth environments
Global CISO
Position Overview
A global CISO leads the security function across multiple countries, regions, or business units, ensuring policy consistency, regulatory compliance, and incident response worldwide.
Responsibilities
- Define global security strategy and cross-border governance
- Manage regional security teams and vendor oversight
- Ensure compliance with international laws (e.g., GDPR, APPI, LGPD)
- Coordinate global threat intelligence, monitoring, and response
- Report global risk posture to the board and executive leadership
Requirements
Hard skills
- Global privacy laws and multinational risk frameworks
- Regional regulatory, cultural, and infrastructure awareness
Soft skills
- Cross-cultural communication and diplomacy
- Strategic alignment across borders and business lines
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s required; master’s preferred
Certifications
- CISSP, CISM, and international privacy certifications (e.g., CIPM, CIPP/E) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years in global or enterprise security leadership
- Prior experience managing multinational or matrixed teams
CISO/CTO Hybrid
Position Overview
A CISO/CTO hybrid leads both cybersecurity and core technology infrastructure for the organization. This executive is responsible for system security, technical architecture, and overall IT strategy—typically within a startup or mid-sized company.
Responsibilities
- Direct both internal IT systems and cybersecurity programs
- Align infrastructure with risk management and business goals
- Manage DevSecOps, access control, cloud platforms, and incident response
- Lead technology and security vendor negotiations
- Report to executive team on IT and security performance
Requirements
Hard skills
- Infrastructure, networking, and cloud architecture expertise
- Deep security acumen and incident response skills
Soft skills
- Strategic and technical leadership across multiple domains
- Comfort in startup or high-growth environments
Educational requirements
- Bachelor’s in computer science, engineering, or cybersecurity
Certifications
- CISSP required; cloud or infrastructure certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure, CCSP) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience scaling both IT and security functions
- 8+ years in technical leadership with security ownership