In an organisation, who is responsible for cyber security?

Cyber security is no longer just a concern for the IT department or a select few individuals within an organisation.

In every organisation, it is essential to understand the shifting dynamics of responsibility and accountability for safeguarding digital assets, because, in today's corporate world, everyone plays a crucial role in maintaining a secure environment.

Do traditional cyber security responsibilities exist in organisations anymore?

The following organisational roles all traditionally and historically held responsibilities in cyber security. However, much has changed over the last decade, so let us look at how these roles have evolved.

• CEO (Chief Executive Officer): Traditionally, the CEO held ultimate responsibility for setting the strategic direction of the organisation, including its approach to cyber security. While not directly involved in day-to-day technical aspects, the CEO's decisions and priorities influenced the allocation of resources towards cyber security initiatives. In the past, the CEO's role could be pivotal in championing a culture of security awareness and ensuring that cyber security was integrated into the organisation's overall risk management strategy. However, in modern times, the CEO's role in cyber security has become more prominent than ever before. With cyber threats evolving into significant business risks, CEOs are increasingly expected to take an active interest in cyber security matters. They are accountable for ensuring that cyber security receives adequate attention and resources at the highest levels of decision-making. Furthermore, fostering a culture of cyber security awareness and accountability starts at the top of an organisation; leading by example in prioritising security measures and promoting a proactive approach to risk management is a key aspect of the CEO’s role.
• CISO (Chief Information Security Officer): The CISO traditionally held the primary responsibility for overseeing the organisation's cyber security posture. They were tasked with developing and implementing cyber security policies, procedures, and technologies to protect the organisation's sensitive information and digital assets. The CISO played a crucial role in identifying and mitigating security risks, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. In today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape, the role of the CISO has expanded significantly. While still responsible for the technical aspects of cyber security, including threat detection and incident response, the CISO now collaborates closely with other business units to align cyber security initiatives with organisational goals and objectives. They work together with the CEO and other executives to develop a comprehensive cyber security strategy that addresses emerging threats and evolving regulatory requirements.
• CIO (Chief Information Officer): Traditionally, the CIO focused on managing the organisation's technological infrastructure and ensuring its efficiency and reliability. While cyber security was a component of their responsibilities, it was often viewed through the lens of protecting the organisation's IT systems and data assets. The role of the CIO in cyber security has evolved to encompass a broader strategic perspective. With the increasing interconnectivity of technology systems and the proliferation of digital channels, the CIO plays a critical role in integrating cyber security considerations into every aspect of the organisation's IT operations. They collaborate closely with the CISO and other stakeholders to align cyber security initiatives with business objectives, ensuring that technology investments are designed to enhance security resilience and mitigate emerging threats.
• CTO (Chief Technology Officer): The CTO traditionally focused on driving technological innovation and identifying opportunities to leverage emerging technologies for competitive advantage. While cyber security was a consideration in technology decision-making, it was often secondary to other priorities such as scalability, performance, and cost-effectiveness. Now, the role of the CTO in cyber security has become increasingly intertwined with their broader responsibilities in technology strategy and innovation. The CTO collaborates closely with the CISO and other stakeholders to evaluate emerging technologies for their security implications and to ensure that security considerations are integrated into the technology development lifecycle. They play a key role in driving a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organisation, fostering cross-functional collaboration to identify and address cyber security challenges proactively.
• SRI (Senior Responsible Individual): A newer role, the Senior Responsible Individual focuses on assessing and managing security risks within the organisation. They conducted risk assessments, identified vulnerabilities, and developed risk mitigation strategies to protect the organisation's assets and information. The SRI works closely with other stakeholders to ensure that security risks are adequately addressed and that appropriate controls are in place to mitigate threats. However, despite the responsibility assigned in the job title, the role is all about sharing responsibility and finding a common security ground for your employees to stand tall on. SRIs (Senior Responsible Individual) play a key role in facilitating risk-aware decision-making and ensuring that cyber security considerations are integrated into strategic planning and resource allocation processes.
• IT Manager: The IT Manager traditionally oversaw the day-to-day operational aspects of IT systems and infrastructure, including network administration, system maintenance, and user support. While cyber security was a component of their responsibilities, it was often focused on implementing and managing security controls at the technical level, such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems. Now, the IT Manager collaborates closely with the CISO and other stakeholders to implement and maintain robust cyber security controls and technologies, ensuring that they are aligned with organisational objectives and regulatory requirements. They play a key role in monitoring and detecting security incidents, coordinating incident response efforts, and implementing corrective actions to mitigate risks and minimise the impact of security breaches.

In summary, while traditional roles within organisations have historically held specific responsibilities for cyber security, the evolving threat landscape and increasing interconnectedness of technology systems have necessitated a shift towards shared responsibility and collaboration across the entire organisation.

Today, cyber security is everyone's responsibility, from the CEO to frontline employees, requiring a culture of awareness, accountability, and continuous learning to effectively mitigate risks and safeguard digital assets against emerging threats.

Who is responsible and who is accountable?

Responsibility:

1. Responsibility for cyber security extends beyond specific roles or departments within an organisation; it encompasses every individual who interacts with the organisation's digital assets. While certain roles, such as the CISO and IT security team, have traditionally shouldered much of the technical responsibility for cyber security, the reality is that cyber threats can originate from various sources and target any part of the organisation. Therefore, fostering a culture of shared responsibility is essential to effectively mitigate cyber risks.
2. In a company-wide context, responsibility for cyber security falls on every employee, regardless of their position or department. Employees are responsible for adhering to security policies and procedures, exercising vigilance in detecting and reporting suspicious activities, and actively participating in cyber security training and awareness initiatives. By empowering employees to become active participants in cyber security efforts, organisations can leverage their collective knowledge and expertise to enhance overall security resilience.
3. Additionally, responsibility for cyber security extends to executive leadership, including the CEO and board of directors. Executives are responsible for setting the tone at the top, prioritising cyber security as a strategic business imperative, and allocating resources to support cyber security initiatives. They play a crucial role in championing a culture of cyber security awareness and accountability throughout the organisation, leading by example in adhering to security policies and promoting a proactive approach to risk management.

Accountability:

1. While responsibility for cyber security is distributed across the organisation, accountability ultimately rests with executive leadership and the board of directors. Executives are accountable for the overall cyber security posture of the organisation, including its effectiveness in mitigating cyber risks and complying with regulatory requirements. They are responsible for establishing clear governance structures, defining roles and responsibilities, and ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to support cyber security initiatives.
2. The CISO also holds a significant level of accountability for cyber security within the organisation. As the primary steward of cyber security, the CISO is accountable for developing and implementing effective cyber security strategies, identifying, and mitigating security risks, and ensuring that security controls are aligned with organisational objectives and industry best practices. The CISO plays a critical role in advising executive leadership on cyber security matters, providing regular updates on the organisation's security posture, and facilitating risk-informed decision-making.
3. Additionally, IT and security teams are accountable for the operational aspects of cyber security, including monitoring, detecting, and responding to security incidents, managing security technologies and controls, and implementing security best practices.

How to build a culture of shared responsibility?

Building a culture of shared responsibility is essential for fostering a robust cyber security posture within an organisation.

• Build responsibility at the executive level with board engagement: Executives and the board of directors must actively engage with cyber security initiatives and prioritise them as a strategic business imperative. This includes regular discussions on cyber security risks, investments in security measures, and updates on compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Clear governance: Establish clear governance structures and accountability frameworks to ensure that cyber security responsibilities are clearly defined at the executive level. Assign roles and responsibilities for cyber security oversight, risk management, and incident response to appropriate individuals or committees.
• Invest in cyber insurance: Cyber insurance provides financial protection against the potential costs of a data breach or cyberattack, including legal expenses, regulatory fines, and costs associated with data recovery and customer notification. Investing in cyber insurance can incentivise organisations to implement robust cyber security measures and risk management practices to reduce the likelihood of a successful cyberattack. It serves as a valuable complement to proactive security measures and can help organisations recover more quickly from a cyber incident.
• Employee advocates: Designate security champions within the organisation who are passionate about cyber security and committed to promoting secure behaviours among their peers. These individuals serve as ambassadors for cyber security awareness and education initiatives.
• Employee training and mentoring: Empower your security champions to disseminate this knowledge to their colleagues and encourage adoption of secure behaviours.
• Open communication and collaboration: Encourage open communication and collaboration across all levels of the organisation to foster a culture of shared responsibility. Empower employees to voice their concerns about cyber security risks and provide channels for reporting security incidents or suspicious activities.

By implementing these strategies, organisations can cultivate a culture of shared responsibility where every employee is actively engaged in protecting against cyber threats. This collective commitment to cyber security awareness and vigilance strengthens the organisation's overall security posture and resilience against evolving threats.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the question of who is responsible for cyber security in your organisation is no longer confined to a select few individuals but encompasses every member of the workforce. By embracing a culture of shared responsibility, accountability, and continuous learning, organisations can strengthen their cyber security posture and mitigate the risks posed by cyber threats. Investing in training and awareness initiatives is not just a proactive measure but a strategic imperative in safeguarding digital assets and preserving business continuity in an increasingly digitized world.

Working with the right partner

Partnering with a trusted cyber security training and awareness company, such as The Security Company Ltd. (TSC), is crucial. With 25 years of experience, TSC specialises in enhancing security behaviours, fostering a robust security culture, and raising awareness of threats and risks across global organisations.

The dynamic nature of cyber threats necessitates a comprehensive and adaptive cyber security strategy for UK law firms. By understanding the evolving threat landscape and investing in robust training and awareness initiatives, decision-makers can fortify their organisations against potential risks and cyberattacks.

At The Security Company, we specialise in boosting cyber awareness, targeted training, customised projects and role-based solutions. Through our tailored subscription services, targeted and customised eLearning and awareness materials and our behavioural assessments, we're committed to helping organisations like yours instil long-term, security-conscious behaviours.

Our method is distinct. We begin by diving deep into your team's current mindset, pinpointing lax behaviours, security gaps and departments in need of focus and attention. From there, we craft tailored solutions that encourage better cyber practices from your employees. With comprehensive training and seamless integration into your current systems, we're here to fortify your team against modern cyber threats and be your trusted cyber security and awareness partner.

Ready to take the next step?

We can help you to formulate an effective and comprehensive cyber security training and awareness program for your organisation year-round and be your dedicated partner for employee behaviour change and, ultimately, security culture change.

Do not hesitate to contact us for further information.