The CISO 3.0: A Guide to Next-Generation Cybersecurity Leadership

by Walt Powell

Overview

This isn’t just a book. It is a roadmap for the next generation of cybersecurity leadership. In an era where cyber threats are more sophisticated and the stakes are higher than ever, Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) can no longer rely solely on technical expertise. They must evolve into strategic business leaders who can seamlessly integrate cybersecurity into the fabric of their organizations.

This book challenges the traditional perception of CISOs as technical leaders, advocating for a strategic shift toward business alignment, quantitative risk management, and the embrace of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It empowers CISOs to transcend their technical expertise and evolve into business-savvy leaders who are fully equipped to meet the rising expectations from boards, executives, and regulators. This book directly addresses the increasing demands from boards and regulators in the wake of recent high-profile cyber events, providing CISOs with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate this new landscape.

This book isn’t just about theory but also action. It delves into the practicalities of business-aligned cybersecurity through real-life stories and illustrative examples that showcase the triumphs and tribulations of CISOs in the field. This book offers unparalleled insights gleaned from the author’s extensive experience in advising hundreds of successful programs, including in-depth discussions on risk quantification, cyber insurance strategies, and defining materiality for risks and incidents. This book fills the gap left by other resources, providing clear guidance on translating business alignment concepts into practice.

If you’re a cybersecurity professional aspiring to a CISO role or an existing CISO seeking to enhance your strategic leadership skills and business acumen, this book is your roadmap. It is designed to bridge the gap between the technical and business worlds and empower you to become a strategic leader who drives value and protects your organization’s most critical assets.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032840079
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	08/05/2025
Series:	Security, Audit and Leadership Series
Pages:	484
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Walt Powell is an experienced executive coach and CISO advisor who has extensive experience working with countless CISOs and developing cybersecurity programs. Walt helped pioneer the role of Field CISO and is a founding member of the Global Security Strategy Office at CDW. Walt now leads a team of Field CISOs, composed entirely of former executives, who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to their clients, underpinned by unique insights gained from contributing to and learning from the strategies of hundreds of chief information security officers (CISOs) and chief information officers (CIOs) across every size of organization and vertical. Walt and his team leverage this wealth of knowledge and experience to provide executive coaching, support, and mentorship to elevate other CISOs, their programs, and organizations, sharing lessons and providing strategic guidance that would typically take several careers to acquire.

Prior to his role at CDW, Walt was the owner and vCISO at Left Brain Security, which is now Left Brain Security Media. He has served as an award-winning cybersecurity leader, advisor, architect, and pre-sales engineer and has also served as a professor of networking and security at Wright College. Walt firmly believes in the importance of giving back to the industry, which is why he taught in CISSP and CISM boot camps and contributes as a certification exam development committee member for numerous organizations. He holds an impressive array of professional certifications, including CISSP, CISM, CCISO, Carnegie Mellon CISO, and the Stanford Advanced Cybersecurity Certificate, and numerous technical and sales certifications from leading cybersecurity firms. Walt also leads a cybersecurity book club, which is being launched as a podcast.

A proud Mensa member and futurist, Walt is deeply invested in exploring the implications of emerging technologies on cybersecurity. He actively contributes to the cybersecurity community by writing and speaking at industry conferences such as BSides, CypherCon, and CrowdStrike Fal.Con; sharing white papers; and authoring articles on critical security topics. Beyond his professional life, Walt is a former professional musician and multi-instrumentalist who cherishes spending quality time with his children, traveling, and learning new languages.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction. Part 1: The Changing Role of the Security Leader. 2. What Is a CISO 3.0?. 3. The Evolving Regulatory Landscape. Part 2: Business and Risk Alignment. 4. The Language of Business. 5. Ownership and Boards of Directors. 6. Risk. Part 3: Risk Treatment. Part 3A: Transfer, Avoid, and Accept Risk. 7. Cyber Liability Insurance. 8. Self-Insurance and Risk Financing. Part 3B: Risk Mitigation. 9. Developing a 3.0 Program Strategy. 10. Security Tactics and Capabilities. 11. Leading Effective Teams. 12. Security Tactics. 13. Modern Cyber Resilience. 14. AI and the Future of the CISO Role. Part 4: Bringing It All Together. 15. Developing Modern Metrics. 16. Board-Level Communication. 17. Materiality and Disclosures. 18. The CISO 3.0: The Future of Cybersecurity Leadership.