Building a CISO Office: Mastering Enterprise Risk Management and Aligning Cybersecurity with Business Goals | Part 1 of 3 | A Conversation with Kush Sharma | Redefining CyberSecurity with Sean Martin

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Guest: Kush Sharma, Director Municipal Modernization & Partnerships, Municipal Information Systems Association, Ontario (MISA Ontario)

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kush-sharma-9bb875a/

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Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

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Episode Notes

In the latest episode — Part 1 of 3 Parts — of the Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast on ITSPmagazine, host Sean Martin dives into a comprehensive discussion with Kush Sharma, a distinguished leader with vast experience across Accenture, Deloitte, the City of Toronto, and CP Rail. The conversation explores the intricacies of building a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) office from the ground up, offering invaluable insights for current and aspiring CISOs.

Kush Sharma emphasizes the multifaceted role of a CISO, particularly the distinct challenges faced when establishing a cybersecurity program in various organizational contexts—government, private sector, and consulting firms. He points out that in governmental environments, the focus is typically on how to benefit citizens or internal staff while operating under tight scrutiny and budget constraints. In contrast, consulting and private sectors prioritize efficiency, quick deployment, and direct benefits to the organization.

A significant part of the discussion centers on enterprise risk management. Sharma highlights the importance of aligning cybersecurity initiatives with organizational objectives. From mergers and acquisitions (M&A) to digital transformations, CISOs must ensure that their strategies mitigate risk while supporting the broader business goals. Kush Sharma advises that during such major projects, security measures need to be integrated from the ground up, focusing on things like role-based access and the segmentation of business processes.

Additionally, the challenges of engaging with governmental bodies are explored in depth. Sharma explains the extensive bureaucratic processes and the need for consensus-building, which often lead to significant delays. Understanding these processes allows for better navigation and more efficient outcomes. Sharma also brings out the importance of understanding and acting upon business processes when integrating cybersecurity measures. For instance, in large-scale ERP implementations, it is crucial to map out detailed roles and ensure that security provisions are applied consistently across all integrated systems. By focusing on the distinct roles within these processes, such as AP clerks or accounting managers, CISOs can develop more granular and effective security measures.

The episode underscores that success in building a CISO office lies in strategic alignment, efficient resource allocation, and thorough understanding of both technical and business processes. For cybersecurity leaders, this conversation with Kush Sharma offers crucial guidance and real-world examples to help navigate their complex roles effectively. Be sure to listen to the episode for a deeper dive into these topics and more. And, stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 for even more goodness from Sean and Kush.