Cybersecurity for CEOs: What every business leader needs to know

by Sean P Conroy

Overview

In today's digital world, cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it's a business survival issue. Cybersecurity for CEOs is a clear, no-jargon guide explicitly designed for time-strapped business leaders who can't afford to get lost in the weeds.

Whether you're running a 20-person law firm or a fast-growing SaaS company, this book will show you how to lead on security without becoming a technical expert. You'll learn why small businesses are prime targets, what the most common threats look like, and how to turn cybersecurity from a cost center into a competitive advantage.

Inside, you'll find real-world inspired stories, industry stats, and executive-friendly frameworks to help you:

• Understand what hackers want and how they get in
• Evaluate your company's actual cyber risk (it's probably higher than you think)
• Ask the right questions of your IT team or MSP
• Build a security culture that empowers employees instead of blaming them
• Create a smart, sustainable cybersecurity budget
• Prepare for worst-case scenarios with an incident response plan you hope you never need

Each chapter ends with a "CEO Action Checklist" so you can take meaningful steps, even if cybersecurity has always felt out of your wheelhouse.

Cybersecurity for CEOs is more than a book. It's your roadmap to peace of mind, operational resilience, and leadership confidence in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798999243119
Publisher:	Inventive HQ LLC
Publication date:	07/08/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	152
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Sean Conroy is a seasoned technology leader, virtual Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), and founder of Inventive HQ. This cybersecurity and cloud consulting firm helps small and mid-sized businesses stay secure, resilient, and audit-ready, without the complexity of enterprise solutions.With over 20 years of experience across various industries, including finance, healthcare, legal, and Transportation, Sean has led IT and security programs at high-growth startups, public companies, and mission-critical service providers. He's advised CEOs, board members, and operational teams on everything from ransomware recovery to building practical, budget-conscious security programs that work.Before launching Inventive HQ, Sean served as the technology leader at multiple firms, where he built out infrastructure, led security audits, and helped leadership teams align technology decisions with business goals. He's also been on the other side of the table, helping teams rebuild after breaches, audit failures, and compliance gaps that were overlooked until it was too late.Today, Sean helps organizations:* Understand and reduce their cybersecurity risk* Build security roadmaps they can follow.* Navigate vendor noise, insurance confusion, and regulatory complexity.* Prepare for tomorrow's threats without losing focus on today's business.He believes that security should be led from the top, made simple for everyone, and measured by business impact, not just technical checklists.Sean lives in California with his family and is a frequent speaker, writer, and consultant on cybersecurity for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs)

Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................... 1

1. Why Cybersecurity Is Now a CEO Problem .............................................. 3

2. What Hackers Want from Small Businesses ............................................ 12

3. The Cost of Doing Nothing .......................................................... 21

4. The Most Common Cyber Threats for SMBs ............................................. 31

5. Humans Are the Weakest Link ........................................................ 41

6. Why Single Sign-On (SSO) Matters More Than You Think ................................ 50

7. Not All MFA Is Created Equal ....................................................... 61

8. 5 Questions Every CEO Should Ask Their IT Team ................................... 72

9. Building a Culture of Security ..................................................... 85

10. Cyber Insurance, Compliance, and Legal Risk ........................................ 93

11. Budgeting for Cybersecurity Without Breaking the Bank .............................. 103

12. Creating an Incident Response Plan ................................................ 113

13. The Future of Cyber Risk ........................................................... 123

14. Your Cybersecurity Roadmap ......................................................... 131

Final Thoughts ......................................................................... 138

About the Author ....................................................................... 140

Resources .............................................................................. 142