Why Regulations Are a CISO’s Best Friend

For years, security leaders have championed “best practices” and “industry frameworks.” We’ve had to translate technical risk into business terms, often fighting for a seat at the table.

With the SEC’s 4-day disclosure rule, the EU’s DORA, and a wave of new state-level privacy laws, the game has fundamentally changed. What was once “IT risk” is now clearly and legally defined as “material business risk”—with a ticking clock and massive, non-compliance penalties attached.

This isn’t another compliance headache. It’s the leverage we’ve been waiting for.

Your board, your CEO, and your CFO understand deadlines. They understand non-compliance fines. They understand material (don’t quote me on this). Our security roadmaps are no longer just “IT projects” to be sandbagged or “cost centers” to be trimmed. They are mandatory, time-bound, and auditable business functions, standing right alongside Legal and Finance.

This regulatory pressure is the best tool we have for alignment. It allows us as leaders to stop asking for resources to manage risk and start informing the business of the required investments to ensure compliance. It’s a fundamental shift from “if we get hit” to “how we report.” This is where the true character of a modern #CISO is forged.

#Cybersecurity #RiskManagement #Leadership #GRC #SEC #DORA #racter