Leading Global Cybersecurity with Christine Bejerasco
Dec 13, 2024
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Christine Bejerasco, CISO of WithSecure and cybersecurity veteran with over 20 years of experience, shares her journey from tech roles to leadership. She reminisces about the wild early days of cyber threats like network worms and mobile malware. The discussion dives into the significance of regulations like GDPR, balancing security, and compliance across global organizations. Christine emphasizes the need for community safety in cybersecurity, highlighting the shared responsibility of all employees in ensuring digital security.
CISOs face unique challenges in leading expert teams, balancing technical expertise with authoritative decision-making amidst diverse opinions.
The evolution of cybersecurity necessitates that leaders adapt strategies to navigate complex regulations while effectively combating organized cyber threats.
Deep dives
Understanding the Role of CISOs in Cybersecurity
CISOs play a critical role in the cybersecurity landscape by bridging the gap between technical expertise and organizational leadership. The podcast discusses the unique challenges faced by CISOs, particularly those working within cybersecurity companies, where they must manage a workforce full of experts while still making authoritative decisions. Christine Becherasko, a CISO from WithSecure, shares her perspective on the dual nature of this role—while the wealth of expertise can provide invaluable support for security initiatives, it also complicates decision-making as many team members often have varying opinions. Ultimately, the podcast highlights the importance of effective leadership in cybersecurity, emphasizing that it requires not only technical knowledge but also strong communication and diplomatic skills to unify diverse viewpoints.
Evolution of Cybersecurity Practices
The podcast reflects on the significant evolution of cybersecurity practices over the past two decades, emphasizing how awareness and regulations surrounding security have matured. Christine points out that while the public today acknowledges the importance of cybersecurity more than ever—especially post-GDPR—the threats and tactics employed by cybercriminals have also advanced. Cybercriminal organizations have shifted from individual hackers to sophisticated entities employing corporate-style business models, thereby increasing the complexity and volume of cyber threats faced by organizations. This evolution necessitates that security leaders continually adapt their strategies to not only meet regulatory requirements but to effectively combat these increasingly organized and motivated adversaries.
Regulatory Challenges and Compliance
The podcast delves into the growing impact of regulations on cybersecurity, particularly in the European Union, which introduces complex compliance requirements for organizations. Christine discusses how these regulations often shift focus from enhancing security to simply meeting compliance mandates, sometimes leading to a focus on paperwork instead of meaningful security improvements. CISOs must navigate this regulatory landscape while ensuring that security remains a priority, which can be particularly challenging for organizations that have historically operated with lax security measures. The complexities of overlapping regulations, like DORA and NIS-2, create additional burdens, making it vital for security leaders to stay informed and proactive in addressing compliance-related risks.
Empowering Users Through Technology Design
A key discussion in the podcast revolves around the notion that security technology should empower users rather than blaming them for errors. Christine argues against the commonly-held belief that humans are the weakest link in cybersecurity, asserting that user-friendly designs can significantly reduce the likelihood of errors. For instance, implementing secure by default settings and single sign-on systems can help mitigate risks associated with user mistakes. The podcast encourages a shift in mindset from blaming users to designing technology that aligns with human behavior, ultimately leading to a safer digital ecosystem where organizations and consumers alike can benefit from better security practices.
In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Christine Bejerasco, the CISO of WithSecure, for an insightful conversation about navigating the complexities of cybersecurity in today’s global landscape. Christine shares her experiences; from the wild early days of network worms and mobile malware, to the evolving role of the modern CISO and what it takes to lead cybersecurity experts towards a safer digital world.
Highlights:
[3:00] After GDPR: the regulations defining how organisations do privacy and security
[8:30] Thoughts from a Former Forbes Councils Member
[11:00] The Early 2000s: The Era of Network Worms and Mobile Malware