Bugcrowd recently released a new report, Inside the Mind of a CISO. We surveyed 209 CISOs and security leaders around the world to understand their current priorities and challenges. The report is full of data around AI usage, the hiring landscape, and the state of current threats.
We also used the data to debunk five common CISO myths.
CISO myths
1. CISOs are opposed to ethical hacking
73% of security leaders view ethical hacking in a favorable light, and 75% of them have actually engaged in it themselves.
For so long, hacking has been stereotyped by the media and portrayed as a criminal activity reserved for evil entities wearing hoodies and occupying dark basements. The data shows that this simply isn’t true—hackers and security leaders are often one and the same. Hackers are occupying boardrooms, leading massive teams, and building cohesive security strategies.
2. CISOs are mainly management professionals
76% of CISOs have worked in 3 to 10 cybersecurity roles, and 82% of CISOs have either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in cybersecurity.
Security leaders bring a wealth of experience to the table, with 84% of them having at least six years of experience in the field. But the true veterans of the field, those with over a decade of experience, make up an impressive 47% of the security leadership landscape. This impressive number shows that there’s nothing that can prepare someone for the rigorous job of being at the forefront of security quite like learning on the job.
3. Only large companies need CISOs
20% of CISOs lead teams with fewer than 10 members, showing that even smaller teams benefit from the high-level strategizing of a CISO.
Security leaders are everywhere! These versatile professionals are in high demand, bringing their expertise and strategic vision to a wide range of company sizes in a variety of sectors. Whether it’s securing sensitive student data in education, protecting critical infrastructure in energy and utilities, or ensuring the integrity of financial transactions in banking and finance, security leaders are at the forefront of the fight against cybersecurity threats.
4. CISOs are unprepared for AI
95% of CISOs are already implementing AI-based defensive measures, namely crowdsourced testing, pen testing, and color teaming.
Crowdsourced testing most closely aligns with most CISOs’ needs due to their scalability and flexibility. Pen testing is also commonly used for similar reasons. Color teaming is more common among larger security teams that have the requisite AI skills.
5. CISOs all believe in the value of AI
58% of CISOs believe that the risks of AI outweigh its potential benefits, while 42% believe in the potential of AI, indicating that there is no consensus on this issue.
The widespread adoption of Gen AI is still new enough that many security professionals are still determining their AI strategies. As a result, they are often willing to sacrifice being an “early adopter” for a chance to observe the early wins and challenges other organizations are experiencing in their AI adoption journeys.
For more insights like these, download the full report!
