By now most boards know that cybersecurity is a business risk that they must oversee and ensure proper mitigations are in place. In an earlier article, we described the conversations the boards must have to perform this role. We made a case for discussing cyber resilience instead of cyber protection. Organizations cannot protect themselves enough to simply rely on additional investments in protection. Certainly, protecting assets, systems, and data is critically important, but as continued headlines have shown, focusing on protection is just not enough. Companies, and the boards that oversee them, have failed to find the right way to be protected enough (as evidenced by the constant headlines sharing the latest innovative breach on the under protected organization). Instead, we advocate that boards must have conversations about resilience, not just about protection.
A Tool to Help Boards Measure Cyber Resilience
Proper oversight starts with gathering the right information.
October 04, 2023
Summary.
During our research, we asked cybersecurity leaders, board directors and other subject matter experts about board cybersecurity discussions and the reporting given to boards in preparation for these discussions. All respondents had strong opinions about cybersecurity boardroom discussions. Generally, participants agreed that boards had a difficult time discussing cybersecurity at a meaningful level, the board needed different information, and a new approach was necessary.
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New!
HBR Learning
Digital Intelligence Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Digital Intelligence . Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Excel in a world that's being continually transformed by technology.