CISO Think Tank

Bridging the gap between business and technology is not easy and requires discipline and balance between technology, people, and the business. For so many organizations today, technology is the business. Technology needs to be understood as a critical enabler in every part of the organization from the front line to the back office. It creates new value by crunching data to deliver new insights, it spurs innovation, and it disrupts traditional business models.

For business and technology leaders alike, new actions and behavioral changes can help their organizations make this shift. CIOs must take responsibility for problems, they should convey that when technology fails, many people typically share responsibility.

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is vast, as it is now being utilized across all industries. With the combination of machine learning, AI has made significant improvements in the field of cybersecurity. Automated security systems, natural language processing, face detection, and automatic threat detection are some examples of how AI is revolutionizing cybersecurity. However, AI is also being used to create intelligent malware and attacks, which can bypass the most up-to-date security protocols, making it a double-edged sword. On the positive side, AI-enabled threat detection systems have the ability to predict new attacks and immediately notify administrators in case of a data breach.

According to Gartner, 79% of companies have experienced at least one cloud data breach during the pandemic. But the migration of critical business data to the cloud shows no sign of slowing. In fact, it’s accelerating. Yet, despite powerful trends and mounting threats, traditional data security has simply not kept pace with the cloud. Security teams still struggle to even understand the reality of what sensitive data they have in the cloud and its associated risks. This is not a sustainable status quo. Data is increasingly a business most valuable asset. And until organizations can align around a shared Data Reality, cloud security will remain several steps behind intensifying security threats and tightening data regulations.

Cloud computing services have become a cornerstone of modern business operations, providing organizations with the agility and scalability needed to thrive in the digital age. However, in 2023, the threat of cloud vulnerabilities will continue to grow as more companies adopt cloud services. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in cloud infrastructure, which can result in data breaches, unauthorized access, and financial losses. To mitigate the risks of cloud-related security incidents, businesses must prioritize implementing robust security measures such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, and regular penetration testing. Additionally, businesses must develop comprehensive incident response plans that take into account the unique challenges of cloud-based attacks. By taking these steps, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from the growing threat of cloud vulnerabilities in the digital age.

Ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, affecting businesses and individuals in all sectors. In 2023, these attacks are expected to continue to grow, resulting in significant financial losses, data theft, and reputational damage. Businesses should implement comprehensive security measures, including regular backups, employee training, and endpoint security, to minimize the risk of a ransomware attack. Additionally, it's important to have a response plan in place to minimize the impact of an attack if it does occur.

The emergence of generative AI technologies has introduced a new and complex dimension to the cybersecurity landscape, presenting a significant challenge for CISOs, CIOs, and businesses at large. Generative AI can be weaponized by malicious actors to craft sophisticated and convincing cyberattacks, such as deepfake phishing emails or AI-generated malware. These attacks have the potential to deceive even the most vigilant users and traditional security systems, posing a substantial threat to data integrity, confidentiality, and overall business continuity. Consequently, CISOs and CIOs must adapt their cybersecurity strategies to incorporate AI-powered threat detection and mitigation tools while keeping abreast of the evolving tactics of adversaries. Furthermore, businesses need to invest in robust employee training programs to educate their workforce about the risks associated with generative AI attacks and foster a culture of cyber-awareness, ultimately safeguarding their digital assets and reputation in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Data is a differentiator in the digital economy. That's why data has simultaneously become the most valuable and the most targeted business asset. Cybersecurity Ventures expects global cybercrime costs to reach $10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025 and that companies will fall victim to a ransomware attack every 2 seconds by 2031. We have seen plenty of bad things happen due to insufficient security measures. As a species, we tend to wait for those truly significant "black swan" events before making substantial changes.

Move from waiting to anticipating, preventing and being cyber resilient. Hear from Cohesity's Senior Technical Field Director, Bharath Nagaraj, as he will speak to some of his field learnings on what C-levels of large organizations deal with and how you can learn to respond more effectively and strategically.

Data management and analytics are critical areas for CIOs to focus on as organizations continue to generate large volumes of data. CIOs must implement effective data management strategies to ensure that data is accurate, secure, and easily accessible. This involves developing processes for collecting, storing, and analyzing data, as well as ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations. Additionally, CIOs must leverage analytics to gain insights from this data and inform decision-making. By using advanced analytics tools and techniques, CIOs can identify trends, patterns, and opportunities that can drive business growth and enhance the customer experience. Overall, effective data management and analytics are essential for CIOs to help their organizations make data-driven decisions and stay ahead of the competition.