Unlocking Leadership Potential: A CISO's Tactical Playbook Inspired by the US Army's 1st Cyber Colonel
Ever feel like you're leading a cybersecurity team in a battlefield where the rules constantly change? J.C. Vega, the U.S. Army's first cyber colonel, offers refreshing perspectives on leadership in a recent CISO Tradecraft podcast. His insights, honed through decades of military experience, transcend industry boundaries and provide valuable tactical takeaways for CISOs looking to elevate their leadership game.
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Building a Cybersecurity Dream Team: Trust, Risk, and Growth
Vega emphasizes the importance of building cohesive teams based on mutual trust. This rings especially true in the high-stakes world of cybersecurity, where collaboration and reliance on each other's expertise are paramount.
Tactical Recommendations for CISOs:
Foster Open Communication: Encourage regular team meetings and one-on-one discussions where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and feedback.
Recognize and Reward Initiative: Publicly acknowledge and celebrate team members who go above and beyond, especially when they demonstrate creative problem-solving and a willingness to take calculated risks within established boundaries.
Lead by Example: Demonstrate trust in your team by delegating responsibilities and providing autonomy. This shows you believe in their abilities and empowers them to grow professionally.
Invest in Professional Development: Provide opportunities for your team to attend conferences, training, and workshops. This helps them stay abreast of industry trends and develop new skills.
Embrace Constructive Failure: Create a culture where calculated risks are encouraged and failures are viewed as learning opportunities. Vega highlights how the Army masks junior officers' performance ratings during their initial year, allowing them to experiment and learn from mistakes without jeopardizing their future evaluations. Consider implementing a similar system within your cybersecurity team, providing a safe space for growth and experimentation.
Shared Understanding and Commander's Intent: Aligning Your Cyber Troops
Vega stresses the need for a shared understanding within the team, where everyone is aligned on the mission, situation, roles, and commander's intent – the overarching vision of success. This is critical in cybersecurity, where a cohesive team response is crucial to effectively mitigate threats.
Tactical Recommendations for CISOs:
Clearly Define and Communicate the Cybersecurity Mission: What is the team's ultimate purpose? Vega emphasizes understanding the organization's core mission and aligning cybersecurity efforts to enable that mission. For example, if the organization's focus is on innovation and rapid product development, cybersecurity strategies should be designed to facilitate those goals without hindering progress.
Establish Clear Commander's Intent: This goes beyond specific tasks and focuses on the desired end state. Using Vega's analogy of a parent setting expectations for their children before leaving for work, CISOs should communicate the overarching goals and desired outcomes for the cybersecurity team. For example, instead of dictating specific security controls, communicate the intent to achieve a robust security posture that enables business agility while minimizing risk.
Promote Cross-Team Collaboration: Break down silos within the cybersecurity team and encourage collaboration with other departments within the organization. This can involve joint workshops, training sessions, and regular communication channels to ensure everyone understands the interconnected nature of cybersecurity and its impact on the overall business mission.
The Vegas Top 3: A CISO's Unconventional Rules of Engagement
Vega's Vegas Top 3 rules to live by offer a unique and insightful perspective on leadership:
Don't accept no from someone who is not authorized to say yes: This is crucial for CISOs who often face resistance when advocating for necessary security investments or policy changes. Tactical Recommendation: Identify key decision-makers and build relationships with them. Learn to navigate organizational politics and effectively present your case to those who hold the authority to approve your requests.
If the rules don't fit, break the rules: Vega encourages challenging outdated rules or procedures that hinder cybersecurity effectiveness. Tactical Recommendations:
Conduct regular reviews of security policies and procedures to identify areas for improvement or modernization.
Be prepared to present a well-researched and compelling case for why specific rules need to be amended or replaced.
Ensure any changes are properly documented and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
Don't self-select out of anything: This applies to both individual career growth and advocating for the cybersecurity team's needs. Tactical Recommendations:
Encourage team members to pursue professional development opportunities and stretch beyond their comfort zones.
Be a vocal advocate for the cybersecurity team's budget, resources, and influence within the organization.
Conclusion: Leading with Confidence and Vision
Vega's leadership philosophy encourages CISOs to move beyond a purely technical mindset and embrace a holistic approach that incorporates trust, empowerment, and adaptability. By implementing these tactical recommendations, CISOs can build high-performing cybersecurity teams, foster a culture of shared understanding, and navigate complex organizational landscapes to achieve success in the ever-evolving cybersecurity battlefield.