Business Security Weekly (Audio) Getting Consensus as a CISO, While Calculating Cybersecurity ROI and Building a Team - Khaja Ahmed - BSW #405
17 snips
Jul 23, 2025 Khaja Ahmed, an Advisor at CISO Forum with a wealth of experience in security technology, shares expert insights on aligning cybersecurity with business goals. He discusses strategies for CISOs to build consensus with the C-suite, emphasizing the need to communicate risks in financial terms. The conversation covers the significance of storytelling in leadership, effective security team construction, and navigating the complexities of cybersecurity hiring amid AI challenges. Khaja also highlights balancing data-driven decisions with human intuition for better outcomes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Use Trends, Not Raw Counts
- Present board metrics as trends and improvements, not raw vulnerability counts.
- Combine quantitative data with your expert judgment to inspire confidence with the board.
Data and Storytelling Matter
- Support your security decisions with reliable data, not just intuition.
- Use storytelling to make risk information memorable and persuasive.
Calculate ROI Carefully
- Calculate cybersecurity ROI using annualized loss expectancy or FAIR framework.
- Avoid overpromising cost avoidance as it risks losing credibility with executives.
