From the CSO’s desk
Innovation priorities in cybersecurity
Jerry Archer h
with incremental improve- what it was. The lack of effec
effec-
SVP and CSO, Sallie Mae nts,
ments, and there are no game tive communications stretch
stretch-
N
ot long ago, I attended ngers
changers in sight. es everyone’s patience and
a dinner with about Adding to these consid- plays out dramatically when
25 national cyberse- ions,
erations, did I mention the characterizing priorities
curity thought leaders. As bad guys? They have become and getting the needed
introductions progressed, re
more effective and organized resources to defend the
each person spoke of their and economically motivated. organization.
concerns regarding significant ut
But above all, my com- A CEO I once
aspects of cybersecurity. I ts
ments at the dinner focused worked for framed it
quietly reflected on how their he
on the most difficult problem this way: Security bud-
perspectives, while aligned to e
I face every day: effective get meetings are not
mine, seemed to be missing munications.
communications. We need about the money. It is
the “click up.” My vision was art
to start getting serious. much more about trying
being focused through the ess
Unless my CEO starts to balance the company’s
CSO lens where every day I g
using the word “cool” needs while ensuring effec-
am leaning backwards in a as a way of expressing tive security without being
foxhole at the pointy end of ptance,
acceptance, then I need overindulgent.
everybody’s spear – whether nish
to banish hacker speak Let me give you an
cybercriminals, regulators, – no use of such terms illustration. When my wife
executives, IT peers, you name ojans,
as trojans, worm