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How CISOs Became Crucial to Business Success in the Digital Age

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Andrew Smith, Kyocera's CISO, explains why CISOs have become crucial to securing businesses digital assets and protecting them from catastrophic cyber-attacks


In today's digital-first business landscape, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) role has become a C-suite staple and essential to how a business functions.


Organisations increasingly rely on digital assets and cloud technologies, meaning the damage risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches has, too.


Andrew Smith, CISO for Kyocera Cyber, has been at the forefront of the role's transition, becoming not just mainstream but a vital part of an organisation's functioning.


Commenting on the development of the importance of the role, Smith said: "Traditionally, roles such as CEO, CFO, and COO have been fundamental cornerstones of the stability, growth, or perhaps even the demise of a company.


"In the past 5-10 years, we’ve seen a rapid change to the business landscape, not least since the onset of AI. The CIO role is now firmly part of the core business C-suite and carries significant risk if changed or removed.

“Every modern company utilises the cloud in some form, and stakeholders are radically changing how they consume services, meaning the need for high-level IT systems and associated experts to manage them has become essential for most business operations. Adjusting to a new world littered with increased risk, global unrest, and consumer demand has cemented the CIO role as critical to business operations.

“The increasing application of IT to everyday operations also means that CISOs naturally now possess a central role in business development, helping to determine how companies react to stay relevant and survive.

“Cloud and SaaS models can simplify the business consumption of IT services, but the complexity of emerging technology and ensuring resiliency and security during the application phase has made the role of the CIO even more critical."

Smith concluded: "Depending on how they are led, controlled, and implemented, complex digitisation and IT projects can make or break a business; hence, the CIO role is dangerous to dispose of. It can fundamentally change the path of a company's success or demise.”