How world-class CISOs are winning more budget and board trust in 2023
This article first appeared in SC Magazine. It has been updated and synidcated here.
CISOs are finding themselves in an increasingly fraught position: Protect more assets, ship more code, reduce a bigger attack surface, and do it with rapidly diminishing financial resources. It’s an inescapable fact that cybersecurity is viewed as a cost center, and despite an organization’s security program being what stands in the way of a threat actor making them tomorrow’s disastrous headline, security leaders must do more to sell in and prove the overall business value of the department, in language that makes sense to the executive body.
World-class CISOs are rising to the occasion, leading holistic security programs that enhance customer trust, brand reputation, and utilize all the tools available to them to create undeniable value. It starts with a strategic, preventative approach to common security pitfalls, and leaving behind the mentality that there is never enough time, resources, or personnel to maintain security excellence.
Change the discussion in the board room.
In the current economic climate, few companies and departments are escaping scrutiny for the money they spend, the hires they make, and their strategic impact on business objectives. Although it may seem a no-brainer that the modern enterprise requires an expansive cybersecurity program, it represents a significant cost to the organization that isn’t straightforward to justify in terms of return on investment.
C-Suite leaders and board stakeholders will need to clearly understand the projected outcomes from the investment cybersecurity initiatives, in terms that make sense outside of numbers in a spreadsheet. They will have different levels of technical knowledge and understanding, and CISOs must make an effort to present their case with accessible messaging. Explain the magnitude of the program, what needs protecting, and who needs to be enabled in order to provide a best-in-class example. Attacks are on the rise, yet budgets are not keeping up, and fighting the good fight starts with a verbal campaign to justify its merit.
It has long been said that, regardless of vertical, every company is fast becoming a technology company. With a digital-first approach the norm in most organizations, this represents an enormous attack surface that needs the best protection that can be afforded at the time. Security leaders wear many hats, but one that is overlooked (until it is too late) is that they are essentially the custodians of customer trust. This cannot be overstated as a value proposition, and is just as vital as sales and marketing goals.
Prove the value of a preventative approach to security.
Current cybersecurity statistics are hair-raising, but playing into FUD and scaremongering is usually a futile tactic when it comes to winning more budget. Few members of a company’s leadership team would argue that cybersecurity isn’t a priority, but they are far more likely to be receptive to budget increases if an enterprising strategy is put forward that utilizes existing resources for better outcomes.
According to recent research by the Neustar International Security Council, just 50% of companies feel they have an adequate budget to tackle their known cybersecurity issues. And with global cyberattacks increasing by 38% between 2021 and 2022, this is likely to represent an even more difficult road ahead for the average CISO. However, truly world-class security leaders are capable of rising above these pain points and innovating through adversity.
In many scenarios, prevention is easier and more straightforward than a cure, and cybersecurity is no different. A holistic security program must extend well beyond reactive measures, and with vulnerability management among the top three concerns for many CISOs, it makes sense that developers are an integral part of that movement. They need hands-on education to tackle common security bugs head-on, helping them eliminate these issues at the source and ensure they never make it to production in the first place. We’re now at the point where we cannot keep excusing low-quality, insecure code, and upskilling the development cohort is by far the most cost-effective, potent remedy for code-level vulnerabilities.
It is vital that CISOs fight to retain existing budget, and detailing the benefits of role-based security upskilling, especially for developers, is a quicker win than adding the next “silver bullet” to an unwieldy security tech stack.
Security should be part of the brand fundamentals.
Most CISOs didn’t get into their role to exercise a passion for marketing, but this is one area you could stand to work on, at least when presenting your case to those who hold the purse strings.
The impact of a cybersecurity program on customer trust and brand loyalty cannot be overstated, and a large-scale breach can cause an exodus of biblical proportions. In contrast, by aligning your stringent security practices with core brand values, you send a clear message that data privacy and protection is not just front of mind, but something on which customers can rely.
It is critical that the modern CISO takes the time to highlight the competitive advantages of security strategy and policy as it relates to ongoing positive customer sentiment and trust; reactive security alone won’t have the same impact, and a balanced approach that focuses on protecting privileged assets with every available resource can be the ultimate differentiator.
There’s no more room for excuses, but there are plenty of compelling reasons CISOs can highlight in their quest for adequate funding for a truly transformative security strategy.
CISOs are finding themselves in an increasingly fraught position: Protect more assets, ship more code, reduce a bigger attack surface, and do it with rapidly diminishing financial resources. It’s an inescapable fact that cybersecurity is viewed as a cost center, and despite an organization’s security program being what stands in the way of a threat actor making them tomorrow’s disastrous headline, security leaders must do more to sell in and prove the overall business value of the department, in language that makes sense to the executive body.
Matias Madou, Ph.D. is a security expert, researcher, and CTO and co-founder of Secure Code Warrior. Matias obtained his Ph.D. in Application Security from Ghent University, focusing on static analysis solutions. He later joined Fortify in the US, where he realized that it was insufficient to solely detect code problems without aiding developers in writing secure code. This inspired him to develop products that assist developers, alleviate the burden of security, and exceed customers' expectations. When he is not at his desk as part of Team Awesome, he enjoys being on stage presenting at conferences including RSA Conference, BlackHat and DefCon.
Secure Code Warrior is here for your organization to help you secure code across the entire software development lifecycle and create a culture in which cybersecurity is top of mind. Whether you’re an AppSec Manager, Developer, CISO, or anyone involved in security, we can help your organization reduce risks associated with insecure code.
Book a demo
Matias Madou, Ph.D. is a security expert, researcher, and CTO and co-founder of Secure Code Warrior. Matias obtained his Ph.D. in Application Security from Ghent University, focusing on static analysis solutions. He later joined Fortify in the US, where he realized that it was insufficient to solely detect code problems without aiding developers in writing secure code. This inspired him to develop products that assist developers, alleviate the burden of security, and exceed customers' expectations. When he is not at his desk as part of Team Awesome, he enjoys being on stage presenting at conferences including RSA Conference, BlackHat and DefCon.
Matias is a researcher and developer with more than 15 years of hands-on software security experience. He has developed solutions for companies such as Fortify Software and his own company Sensei Security. Over his career, Matias has led multiple application security research projects which have led to commercial products and boasts over 10 patents under his belt. When he is away from his desk, Matias has served as an instructor for advanced application security training courses and regularly speaks at global conferences including RSA Conference, Black Hat, DefCon, BSIMM, OWASP AppSec and BruCon.
Matias holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Ghent University, where he studied application security through program obfuscation to hide the inner workings of an application.
This article first appeared in SC Magazine. It has been updated and synidcated here.
CISOs are finding themselves in an increasingly fraught position: Protect more assets, ship more code, reduce a bigger attack surface, and do it with rapidly diminishing financial resources. It’s an inescapable fact that cybersecurity is viewed as a cost center, and despite an organization’s security program being what stands in the way of a threat actor making them tomorrow’s disastrous headline, security leaders must do more to sell in and prove the overall business value of the department, in language that makes sense to the executive body.
World-class CISOs are rising to the occasion, leading holistic security programs that enhance customer trust, brand reputation, and utilize all the tools available to them to create undeniable value. It starts with a strategic, preventative approach to common security pitfalls, and leaving behind the mentality that there is never enough time, resources, or personnel to maintain security excellence.
Change the discussion in the board room.
In the current economic climate, few companies and departments are escaping scrutiny for the money they spend, the hires they make, and their strategic impact on business objectives. Although it may seem a no-brainer that the modern enterprise requires an expansive cybersecurity program, it represents a significant cost to the organization that isn’t straightforward to justify in terms of return on investment.
C-Suite leaders and board stakeholders will need to clearly understand the projected outcomes from the investment cybersecurity initiatives, in terms that make sense outside of numbers in a spreadsheet. They will have different levels of technical knowledge and understanding, and CISOs must make an effort to present their case with accessible messaging. Explain the magnitude of the program, what needs protecting, and who needs to be enabled in order to provide a best-in-class example. Attacks are on the rise, yet budgets are not keeping up, and fighting the good fight starts with a verbal campaign to justify its merit.
It has long been said that, regardless of vertical, every company is fast becoming a technology company. With a digital-first approach the norm in most organizations, this represents an enormous attack surface that needs the best protection that can be afforded at the time. Security leaders wear many hats, but one that is overlooked (until it is too late) is that they are essentially the custodians of customer trust. This cannot be overstated as a value proposition, and is just as vital as sales and marketing goals.
Prove the value of a preventative approach to security.
Current cybersecurity statistics are hair-raising, but playing into FUD and scaremongering is usually a futile tactic when it comes to winning more budget. Few members of a company’s leadership team would argue that cybersecurity isn’t a priority, but they are far more likely to be receptive to budget increases if an enterprising strategy is put forward that utilizes existing resources for better outcomes.
According to recent research by the Neustar International Security Council, just 50% of companies feel they have an adequate budget to tackle their known cybersecurity issues. And with global cyberattacks increasing by 38% between 2021 and 2022, this is likely to represent an even more difficult road ahead for the average CISO. However, truly world-class security leaders are capable of rising above these pain points and innovating through adversity.
In many scenarios, prevention is easier and more straightforward than a cure, and cybersecurity is no different. A holistic security program must extend well beyond reactive measures, and with vulnerability management among the top three concerns for many CISOs, it makes sense that developers are an integral part of that movement. They need hands-on education to tackle common security bugs head-on, helping them eliminate these issues at the source and ensure they never make it to production in the first place. We’re now at the point where we cannot keep excusing low-quality, insecure code, and upskilling the development cohort is by far the most cost-effective, potent remedy for code-level vulnerabilities.
It is vital that CISOs fight to retain existing budget, and detailing the benefits of role-based security upskilling, especially for developers, is a quicker win than adding the next “silver bullet” to an unwieldy security tech stack.
Security should be part of the brand fundamentals.
Most CISOs didn’t get into their role to exercise a passion for marketing, but this is one area you could stand to work on, at least when presenting your case to those who hold the purse strings.
The impact of a cybersecurity program on customer trust and brand loyalty cannot be overstated, and a large-scale breach can cause an exodus of biblical proportions. In contrast, by aligning your stringent security practices with core brand values, you send a clear message that data privacy and protection is not just front of mind, but something on which customers can rely.
It is critical that the modern CISO takes the time to highlight the competitive advantages of security strategy and policy as it relates to ongoing positive customer sentiment and trust; reactive security alone won’t have the same impact, and a balanced approach that focuses on protecting privileged assets with every available resource can be the ultimate differentiator.
There’s no more room for excuses, but there are plenty of compelling reasons CISOs can highlight in their quest for adequate funding for a truly transformative security strategy.
This article first appeared in SC Magazine. It has been updated and synidcated here.
CISOs are finding themselves in an increasingly fraught position: Protect more assets, ship more code, reduce a bigger attack surface, and do it with rapidly diminishing financial resources. It’s an inescapable fact that cybersecurity is viewed as a cost center, and despite an organization’s security program being what stands in the way of a threat actor making them tomorrow’s disastrous headline, security leaders must do more to sell in and prove the overall business value of the department, in language that makes sense to the executive body.
World-class CISOs are rising to the occasion, leading holistic security programs that enhance customer trust, brand reputation, and utilize all the tools available to them to create undeniable value. It starts with a strategic, preventative approach to common security pitfalls, and leaving behind the mentality that there is never enough time, resources, or personnel to maintain security excellence.
Change the discussion in the board room.
In the current economic climate, few companies and departments are escaping scrutiny for the money they spend, the hires they make, and their strategic impact on business objectives. Although it may seem a no-brainer that the modern enterprise requires an expansive cybersecurity program, it represents a significant cost to the organization that isn’t straightforward to justify in terms of return on investment.
C-Suite leaders and board stakeholders will need to clearly understand the projected outcomes from the investment cybersecurity initiatives, in terms that make sense outside of numbers in a spreadsheet. They will have different levels of technical knowledge and understanding, and CISOs must make an effort to present their case with accessible messaging. Explain the magnitude of the program, what needs protecting, and who needs to be enabled in order to provide a best-in-class example. Attacks are on the rise, yet budgets are not keeping up, and fighting the good fight starts with a verbal campaign to justify its merit.
It has long been said that, regardless of vertical, every company is fast becoming a technology company. With a digital-first approach the norm in most organizations, this represents an enormous attack surface that needs the best protection that can be afforded at the time. Security leaders wear many hats, but one that is overlooked (until it is too late) is that they are essentially the custodians of customer trust. This cannot be overstated as a value proposition, and is just as vital as sales and marketing goals.
Prove the value of a preventative approach to security.
Current cybersecurity statistics are hair-raising, but playing into FUD and scaremongering is usually a futile tactic when it comes to winning more budget. Few members of a company’s leadership team would argue that cybersecurity isn’t a priority, but they are far more likely to be receptive to budget increases if an enterprising strategy is put forward that utilizes existing resources for better outcomes.
According to recent research by the Neustar International Security Council, just 50% of companies feel they have an adequate budget to tackle their known cybersecurity issues. And with global cyberattacks increasing by 38% between 2021 and 2022, this is likely to represent an even more difficult road ahead for the average CISO. However, truly world-class security leaders are capable of rising above these pain points and innovating through adversity.
In many scenarios, prevention is easier and more straightforward than a cure, and cybersecurity is no different. A holistic security program must extend well beyond reactive measures, and with vulnerability management among the top three concerns for many CISOs, it makes sense that developers are an integral part of that movement. They need hands-on education to tackle common security bugs head-on, helping them eliminate these issues at the source and ensure they never make it to production in the first place. We’re now at the point where we cannot keep excusing low-quality, insecure code, and upskilling the development cohort is by far the most cost-effective, potent remedy for code-level vulnerabilities.
It is vital that CISOs fight to retain existing budget, and detailing the benefits of role-based security upskilling, especially for developers, is a quicker win than adding the next “silver bullet” to an unwieldy security tech stack.
Security should be part of the brand fundamentals.
Most CISOs didn’t get into their role to exercise a passion for marketing, but this is one area you could stand to work on, at least when presenting your case to those who hold the purse strings.
The impact of a cybersecurity program on customer trust and brand loyalty cannot be overstated, and a large-scale breach can cause an exodus of biblical proportions. In contrast, by aligning your stringent security practices with core brand values, you send a clear message that data privacy and protection is not just front of mind, but something on which customers can rely.
It is critical that the modern CISO takes the time to highlight the competitive advantages of security strategy and policy as it relates to ongoing positive customer sentiment and trust; reactive security alone won’t have the same impact, and a balanced approach that focuses on protecting privileged assets with every available resource can be the ultimate differentiator.
There’s no more room for excuses, but there are plenty of compelling reasons CISOs can highlight in their quest for adequate funding for a truly transformative security strategy.
Click on the link below and download the PDF of this resource.
Secure Code Warrior is here for your organization to help you secure code across the entire software development lifecycle and create a culture in which cybersecurity is top of mind. Whether you’re an AppSec Manager, Developer, CISO, or anyone involved in security, we can help your organization reduce risks associated with insecure code.
View reportBook a demo
Matias Madou, Ph.D. is a security expert, researcher, and CTO and co-founder of Secure Code Warrior. Matias obtained his Ph.D. in Application Security from Ghent University, focusing on static analysis solutions. He later joined Fortify in the US, where he realized that it was insufficient to solely detect code problems without aiding developers in writing secure code. This inspired him to develop products that assist developers, alleviate the burden of security, and exceed customers' expectations. When he is not at his desk as part of Team Awesome, he enjoys being on stage presenting at conferences including RSA Conference, BlackHat and DefCon.
Matias is a researcher and developer with more than 15 years of hands-on software security experience. He has developed solutions for companies such as Fortify Software and his own company Sensei Security. Over his career, Matias has led multiple application security research projects which have led to commercial products and boasts over 10 patents under his belt. When he is away from his desk, Matias has served as an instructor for advanced application security training courses and regularly speaks at global conferences including RSA Conference, Black Hat, DefCon, BSIMM, OWASP AppSec and BruCon.
Matias holds a Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from Ghent University, where he studied application security through program obfuscation to hide the inner workings of an application.
This article first appeared in SC Magazine. It has been updated and synidcated here.
CISOs are finding themselves in an increasingly fraught position: Protect more assets, ship more code, reduce a bigger attack surface, and do it with rapidly diminishing financial resources. It’s an inescapable fact that cybersecurity is viewed as a cost center, and despite an organization’s security program being what stands in the way of a threat actor making them tomorrow’s disastrous headline, security leaders must do more to sell in and prove the overall business value of the department, in language that makes sense to the executive body.
World-class CISOs are rising to the occasion, leading holistic security programs that enhance customer trust, brand reputation, and utilize all the tools available to them to create undeniable value. It starts with a strategic, preventative approach to common security pitfalls, and leaving behind the mentality that there is never enough time, resources, or personnel to maintain security excellence.
Change the discussion in the board room.
In the current economic climate, few companies and departments are escaping scrutiny for the money they spend, the hires they make, and their strategic impact on business objectives. Although it may seem a no-brainer that the modern enterprise requires an expansive cybersecurity program, it represents a significant cost to the organization that isn’t straightforward to justify in terms of return on investment.
C-Suite leaders and board stakeholders will need to clearly understand the projected outcomes from the investment cybersecurity initiatives, in terms that make sense outside of numbers in a spreadsheet. They will have different levels of technical knowledge and understanding, and CISOs must make an effort to present their case with accessible messaging. Explain the magnitude of the program, what needs protecting, and who needs to be enabled in order to provide a best-in-class example. Attacks are on the rise, yet budgets are not keeping up, and fighting the good fight starts with a verbal campaign to justify its merit.
It has long been said that, regardless of vertical, every company is fast becoming a technology company. With a digital-first approach the norm in most organizations, this represents an enormous attack surface that needs the best protection that can be afforded at the time. Security leaders wear many hats, but one that is overlooked (until it is too late) is that they are essentially the custodians of customer trust. This cannot be overstated as a value proposition, and is just as vital as sales and marketing goals.
Prove the value of a preventative approach to security.
Current cybersecurity statistics are hair-raising, but playing into FUD and scaremongering is usually a futile tactic when it comes to winning more budget. Few members of a company’s leadership team would argue that cybersecurity isn’t a priority, but they are far more likely to be receptive to budget increases if an enterprising strategy is put forward that utilizes existing resources for better outcomes.
According to recent research by the Neustar International Security Council, just 50% of companies feel they have an adequate budget to tackle their known cybersecurity issues. And with global cyberattacks increasing by 38% between 2021 and 2022, this is likely to represent an even more difficult road ahead for the average CISO. However, truly world-class security leaders are capable of rising above these pain points and innovating through adversity.
In many scenarios, prevention is easier and more straightforward than a cure, and cybersecurity is no different. A holistic security program must extend well beyond reactive measures, and with vulnerability management among the top three concerns for many CISOs, it makes sense that developers are an integral part of that movement. They need hands-on education to tackle common security bugs head-on, helping them eliminate these issues at the source and ensure they never make it to production in the first place. We’re now at the point where we cannot keep excusing low-quality, insecure code, and upskilling the development cohort is by far the most cost-effective, potent remedy for code-level vulnerabilities.
It is vital that CISOs fight to retain existing budget, and detailing the benefits of role-based security upskilling, especially for developers, is a quicker win than adding the next “silver bullet” to an unwieldy security tech stack.
Security should be part of the brand fundamentals.
Most CISOs didn’t get into their role to exercise a passion for marketing, but this is one area you could stand to work on, at least when presenting your case to those who hold the purse strings.
The impact of a cybersecurity program on customer trust and brand loyalty cannot be overstated, and a large-scale breach can cause an exodus of biblical proportions. In contrast, by aligning your stringent security practices with core brand values, you send a clear message that data privacy and protection is not just front of mind, but something on which customers can rely.
It is critical that the modern CISO takes the time to highlight the competitive advantages of security strategy and policy as it relates to ongoing positive customer sentiment and trust; reactive security alone won’t have the same impact, and a balanced approach that focuses on protecting privileged assets with every available resource can be the ultimate differentiator.
There’s no more room for excuses, but there are plenty of compelling reasons CISOs can highlight in their quest for adequate funding for a truly transformative security strategy.
Table of contents
Matias Madou, Ph.D. is a security expert, researcher, and CTO and co-founder of Secure Code Warrior. Matias obtained his Ph.D. in Application Security from Ghent University, focusing on static analysis solutions. He later joined Fortify in the US, where he realized that it was insufficient to solely detect code problems without aiding developers in writing secure code. This inspired him to develop products that assist developers, alleviate the burden of security, and exceed customers' expectations. When he is not at his desk as part of Team Awesome, he enjoys being on stage presenting at conferences including RSA Conference, BlackHat and DefCon.
Secure Code Warrior is here for your organization to help you secure code across the entire software development lifecycle and create a culture in which cybersecurity is top of mind. Whether you’re an AppSec Manager, Developer, CISO, or anyone involved in security, we can help your organization reduce risks associated with insecure code.
Book a demoDownloadResources to get you started
Secure by Design: Defining Best Practices, Enabling Developers and Benchmarking Preventative Security Outcomes
In this research paper, Secure Code Warrior co-founders, Pieter Danhieux and Dr. Matias Madou, Ph.D., along with expert contributors, Chris Inglis, Former US National Cyber Director (now Strategic Advisor to Paladin Capital Group), and Devin Lynch, Senior Director, Paladin Global Institute, will reveal key findings from over twenty in-depth interviews with enterprise security leaders including CISOs, a VP of Application Security, and software security professionals.
Benchmarking Security Skills: Streamlining Secure-by-Design in the Enterprise
Finding meaningful data on the success of Secure-by-Design initiatives is notoriously difficult. CISOs are often challenged when attempting to prove the return on investment (ROI) and business value of security program activities at both the people and company levels. Not to mention, it’s particularly difficult for enterprises to gain insights into how their organizations are benchmarked against current industry standards. The President’s National Cybersecurity Strategy challenged stakeholders to “embrace security and resilience by design.” The key to making Secure-by-Design initiatives work is not only giving developers the skills to ensure secure code, but also assuring the regulators that those skills are in place. In this presentation, we share a myriad of qualitative and quantitative data, derived from multiple primary sources, including internal data points collected from over 250,000 developers, data-driven customer insights, and public studies. Leveraging this aggregation of data points, we aim to communicate a vision of the current state of Secure-by-Design initiatives across multiple verticals. The report details why this space is currently underutilized, the significant impact a successful upskilling program can have on cybersecurity risk mitigation, and the potential to eliminate categories of vulnerabilities from a codebase.
Resources to get you started
Setting the Standard: SCW Releases Free AI Coding Security Rules on GitHub
AI-assisted development is no longer on the horizon — it’s here, and it’s rapidly reshaping how software is written. Tools like GitHub Copilot, Cline, Roo, Cursor, Aider, and Windsurf are transforming developers into co-pilots of their own, enabling faster iteration and accelerating everything from prototyping to major refactoring projects.
Close the Loop on Vulnerabilities with Secure Code Warrior + HackerOne
Secure Code Warrior is excited to announce our new integration with HackerOne, a leader in offensive security solutions. Together, we're building a powerful, integrated ecosystem. HackerOne pinpoints where vulnerabilities are actually happening in real-world environments, exposing the "what" and "where" of security issues.
Revealed: How the Cyber Industry Defines Secure by Design
In our latest white paper, our Co-Founders, Pieter Danhieux and Dr. Matias Madou, Ph.D., sat down with over twenty enterprise security leaders, including CISOs, AppSec leaders and security professionals, to figure out the key pieces of this puzzle and uncover the reality behind the Secure by Design movement. It’s a shared ambition across the security teams, but no shared playbook.
Is Vibe Coding Going to Turn Your Codebase Into a Frat Party?
Vibe coding is like a college frat party, and AI is the centerpiece of all the festivities, the keg. It’s a lot of fun to let loose, get creative, and see where your imagination can take you, but after a few keg stands, drinking (or, using AI) in moderation is undoubtedly the safer long-term solution.
Developer-driven coding.
Securely.
Contact us today and make software security an intrinsic part of your development process.
