Cyber leadership in action: uniting against evolving threats
Cyber risk has quickly evolved from a technical issue to a critical business priority, influencing regulatory compliance, corporate strategy, and shareholder trust. As regulations become stricter and threats grow more advanced, cyber defences become more critical. This is why we’ve developed a guide for cyber leaders – the Cyber Leadership Playbook.
This guide for cyber leaders, developed from insights shared at Diligent’s Cyber Risk Virtual Summit 2025, provides a practical framework for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), General Counsels (GCs), and board members to collaborate effectively and build a stronger, more strategic approach to cyber resilience. It’s not just about reacting to threats; it’s about anticipating them, integrating cyber risk into broader business priorities, and fostering a culture of informed decision-making at every level.
Building the cyber leadership alliance
CISOs, GCs, and board directors each bring unique perspectives to the table. CISOs focus on threat mitigation, GCs on compliance and liability, and boards on strategic and financial impact. Without a shared understanding and structured collaboration, organisations risk inefficiencies, blind spots, and missed opportunities. Building a strong CISO-GC-Board alliance is crucial to managing cyber risk and transforming resilience into a strategic advantage.
Key challenges and how to overcome them
Many organisations grapple with misaligned language and priorities, siloed decision-making, and limited board engagement. The guide for cyber leaders offers actionable strategies to overcome these challenges:
- Establish a Common Cyber Risk Language: Translate technical jargon into business-focused insights that resonate with leadership, emphasising business continuity, financial impact, and regulatory exposure.
- Make Cyber Risk a Standing Board Priority: Elevate cybersecurity to a standing governance priority, with regular briefings led jointly by the CISO and GC.
- Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Strategy: Frame cybersecurity investments in terms of business risk reduction, regulatory compliance, and competitive advantage.
- Prepare for Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny: Proactively prepare for evolving regulations by maintaining a living risk register and developing incident response playbooks.
The role of GRC technology
Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) technology plays a pivotal role in elevating cyber leadership and operational resilience. It enables organisations to streamline compliance, automate reporting, and gain a holistic view of their risk landscape.
Transform your organisation’s approach to cyber risk. Download the Cyber Leadership Playbook and discover how to:
- Strengthen the partnership between security, legal, and governance leaders.
- Navigate regulatory complexity with confidence.
- Turn cyber risk into a business advantage.
Cyber risk isn’t going away — but with the right leadership strategy, you can turn it into a competitive advantage.
Download the Cyber Leadership Playbook now and start building a more collaborative, resilient and proactive approach to cyber governance.