Navigating Your New Role as CISO with the Help of Sikich Technology C-Suite Services

Congratulations on your new role as a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)! It can be a daunting task to manage an organization’s security risks, especially when you are new to the organization and unfamiliar with its information security program. Fortunately, utilizing Sikich Technology C-Suite Services (C-Services) can help CISOs get up to speed quickly and confidently.

The Sikich Cybersecurity team offers several governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) solutions that help organizations proactively manage risk and optimize performance. Here are just some ways Sikich can help new CISOs understand their security risk and the maturity of the information security program that they have inherited.

Enterprise Risk Assessments

Enterprise risk assessments are essential for organizations to effectively manage their cybersecurity risks. At Sikich, we offer a comprehensive approach to risk assessments that involves identifying and prioritizing risks, evaluating the maturity of controls, developing a roadmap for risk mitigation, and supporting a continuous compliance program through risk management services. This process provides organizations, including newly appointed CISOs, with a clear understanding of their current security posture and a detailed plan for improvement. Our experienced team of specialists can help organizations navigate the complexities of cybersecurity and develop a customized risk management program that aligns with their unique business goals and objectives.

Furthermore, Sikich evaluates the effectiveness of your organization’s security program based on leading industry standards and best practices, such as those related to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 27001, and the Center for Information Security (CIS). Our assessments can provide new CISOs with valuable insights into their organization’s areas of strength and potential weaknesses. By identifying risks associated with any gaps, our assessments can help CISOs develop actionable plans to improve their organization’s security posture, reduce cyber risk, and better protect their critical assets.

Policy and Standards Development

Sikich provides a thorough documentation review to assess the effectiveness of existing policies, standards, and procedures, and make sure they align with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements. Our assessment is designed to help organizations identify potential gaps and weaknesses in their information security program and provide customized support for creating documentation to meet industry standards.

As a trusted advisor, Sikich offers a library of information security policies and standards based on industry best practices such as NIST SP 800-171 and ISO 27001. Our library of policies and standards can help organizations achieve compliance with regulatory requirements and improve their overall security.

Third-Party Risk Management

Third-party risk management is a critical aspect of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. At Sikich, we understand the risks associated with third-party vendors and partners and can help your organization mitigate these risks. Our qualified assessors can assist new CISOs by conducting thorough vendor risk assessments, developing customized vendor risk management programs, and performing ongoing monitoring to help maintain compliance and proactively identify and mitigate risks.

We recognize that third-party relationships can introduce a range of vulnerabilities, from inadequate security controls to malicious actors seeking to exploit these connections. To address these risks, we employ a comprehensive approach that includes:

1. Conducting an inventory of your organization’s third-party vendors and partners
2. Evaluating each vendor’s security controls, compliance with industry standards, and overall risk profile
3. Developing a customized vendor risk management program that aligns with your organization’s specific needs and goals
4. Conducting ongoing monitoring to provide oversight of vendors’ efforts to maintain compliance and promptly address any issues that arise
5. Providing regular reporting to the CISO and other key stakeholders to allow full visibility into your organization’s third-party risk profile

This offering can help new CISOs to confidently manage third-party risks, protect their organization’s assets and reputation, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Incident Response Planning

Effective incident response is essential to minimizing the impact of a cyberattack on an organization. Sikich offers a suite of incident response services that can be tailored to your organization’s unique needs.

We specialize in creating customized incident response plans that outline the specific steps your organization should take in the event of a security breach. Our plans are designed to minimize downtime, prevent data loss, and protect your organization’s reputation.

In addition, we offer tabletop exercises that simulate various types of cyberattacks, allowing your organization to practice its response to different scenarios. This approach helps identify weaknesses in your incident response plan and provides an opportunity to refine your processes before an actual incident occurs.

Partner with Sikich to Manage Cybersecurity Risks

Our team of experienced cyber risk specialists is ready to help your organization prepare for and respond to any potential cyber threats.

Effective management of cybersecurity risks is essential for any organization to protect its assets, reputation, and customers. Our approach of conducting comprehensive risk assessments, reviewing policies and standards, managing third-party risks, and developing incident response plans helps new CISOs understand their organization’s security posture and identify areas that require improvement.

By leveraging Sikich’s expertise, new CISOs can develop a roadmap that aligns with the organization’s goals, budgets, and risk appetite. Reach out to our team to find out how Sikich Technology C-Services can support efforts to effectively manage security risks.