Dark Reading Confidential: The CISO and the SEC

Dark Reading Confidential: The CISO and the SEC

May 10, 2024 at 11:22AM

Transcript Summary:

Episode: Dark Reading Confidential, Episode 1
Summary: The episode explores the evolving relationship between CISOs and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC). Guests discuss the challenges faced by CISOs, the need for greater regulatory understanding of the cybersecurity landscape, and propose solutions such as a remediation safe harbor and involving CISOs in cybersecurity incident disclosures. Two commentary excerpts by industry leaders are also shared.
Total Words: 288 words

Based on the meeting notes, the key takeaways are as follows:

1. The relationship between the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) within publicly traded companies has become increasingly complicated due to new regulations requiring disclosure of material incidents or breaches within a specific timeframe.

2. CISOs are facing increased challenges and pressure due to the new SEC rules, personal liability concerns, and the potential impact on their professional reputation.

3. CISOs are expressing concerns about their ability to influence security decisions within the corporate structure and the potential personal liabilities they face in case of a cybersecurity incident.

4. The regulatory landscape for CISOs is complex, with overlapping regulations from various authorities, such as GDPR, DFARs, and industry-specific regulations, adding to their compliance burden.

5. CISOs are advised to work closely with their legal teams to address their concerns, especially in terms of disclosures, risk management, and insurance coverage.

6. The CISO role is evolving, requiring CISOs to delve deeper into their relationships with the board, legal counsel, and other executive leadership, especially in the context of cybersecurity incident response planning and effective communication.

7. There are proposals for the SEC to consider changes in its approach, such as the creation of a remediation safe harbor and the need for more former security practitioners to be involved in shaping regulations.

This is a complex and evolving landscape, and the CISOs and their support teams will need to navigate it strategically and collaboratively to meet compliance requirements and protect themselves and their organizations from legal and regulatory challenges.

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