From Gatekeepers to Strategists: How CISOs Can Lead the Cybersecurity Evolution

By Carmine Valente, CISSP | CISM | CISA, Vice President of Information Security at Paramount Global

Recently, we have seen a shift in cybersecurity that is as critical as urgent. The role of the CISO is evolving from a reactive gatekeeper to a proactive strategist. CISOs are no longer just responsible for securing systems and managing threats—they are advisors, partners, and advocates for embedding cybersecurity into the fabric of an organization’s operations and culture.

With new, complex threats constantly emerging, CISOs must go beyond traditional boundaries, building integrated, risk-centered, and adaptive security ecosystems.

Here’s a look at three key pillars that can help achieve this transformation:

1. Data-Driven Insights: Empowering Precision in Risk Management

The key to proactive cybersecurity strategies is leveraging data effectively. For many organizations, data flows from various sources: endpoints, networks, users, cloud environments, and third-party services. With the massive amount of data flowing in every day, it is essential to consider that data is as valuable as the insights we can draw from it.

Effective data-driven security means using advanced analytics and threat intelligence to:

• Identify vulnerabilities with greater accuracy: By analyzing data patterns, CISOs can pinpoint and address vulnerabilities in real-time before they can be exploited.
• Forecast potential threats: Predictive analytics can help us understand where the next attack might come from, allowing us to be one step ahead.
• Optimize response: With data, security teams can respond more swiftly to incidents by focusing on high-risk areas and deploying resources more efficiently.

As an example, imagine a multinational company using machine learning to analyze access patterns across its global cloud infrastructure. By identifying unusual access requests, this capability can catch potential breaches early and flag suspicious activities before they escalate.

2. Supply Chain Resilience: Extending Security Beyond the Organization

Our supply chains have become an extension of our security posture in today’s interconnected environment. Threat actors increasingly target partners and suppliers to gain access to high-value assets. As a result, cybersecurity strategies must go beyond our organization’s perimeter and protect every node in the supply chain. Building supply chain resilience requires:

• Setting clear security expectations for partners: This could mean asking vendors to meet certain cybersecurity standards or follow specific protocols.
• Implementing continuous monitoring: Rather than relying solely on one-time audits, CISOs should consider real-time monitoring of third-party activities to catch potential issues early.
• Collaborating with third parties: Security leaders should work closely with suppliers and partners to create mutual accountability and shared risk management practices rather than dictating terms.

As an example, a media conglomerate could require vendors to adhere to a standardized set of cybersecurity requirements, with periodic assessments and real-time monitoring for high-risk third parties. This approach doesn’t just safeguard the organization’s assets; it strengthens the entire supply chain.

3. Culture Over Compliance: Embedding Security as a Mindset

Security isn’t just a checklist item; it’s a mindset. Moving from a compliance-based approach to a culture-centric approach is one of the biggest challenges CISOs face. However, the payoff is enormous: a security-aware organization where every employee, regardless of role, is actively contributing to risk management. To build a security-first culture:

• Foster security championsacross departments to help drive best practices and act as liaisons between IT and business units.
• Recognize teams that proactively adopt security protocols and follow best practices.
• Invest in continuous training that goes beyond awareness and delves into practical, scenario-based learning.

As an example, imagine a technology company that has instituted “Security Day” sessions in each department, with interactive exercises that help employees understand their role in cybersecurity. Such initiatives not only raise awareness but help integrate security practices into daily workflows.

Looking Ahead: The CISO’s Role in Business Resilience

Evolving from gatekeeper to strategist means that CISOs must play a critical role in shaping not only security but also the organization’s broader risk management strategies. The shift is from cybersecurity as the capability protecting assets to cybersecurity as the capability enabling business resilience.

These pillars—data-driven insights, supply chain resilience, and a security-first culture— must support an agile, adaptive, and integrated cybersecurity ecosystem with the business. CISOs who champion these strategies will move beyond reactive defenses to actively fortify the organization against evolving threats.

In today’s world, a forward-looking CISO is not just a guardian but a trusted advisor, a business partner, and a key contributor to long-term organizational resilience. The question isn’t just “How secure are we today?” but “How well are we positioned for tomorrow?”