Niko Mastropaolo , CISO at CCI Global , also highlighted that long hours and on-demand responsibilities often lead to burnout , escalating stress levels .

Through this column , we ’ ve brought insights into AI , cyberskills and mental health , as well as highlights from our awards events and research activities .

We started the year with the spotlight on AI – and we ’ re ending it in the same way . In fact , AI looks set to dominate discussions around cybersecurity for the foreseeable future . With the technology still relatively in its infancy , as it develops and improves , it ’ s likely to continue to reshape industries and have an immense impact on the technology landscape .

AI everywhere

In February , we discussed the surprise addition of AI to my annual panto trip . This year , there was a new addition to the stage to take Hereford ’ s Dick Whittington firmly into the future – an AI robot . Central to the unconventional plot , with a nod to the classic Wizard of Oz tale , was a quest to find a ‘ heart ’ for the AI .

Pantomime was an unlikely starting point for a column dedicated to cybersecurity , but we can safely say that AI really is everywhere – and cybersecurity is set to bear both the brunt and the benefits of this technology .

Seen as a ‘ double-edged sword ’, AI is arming both attackers and defenders with advanced tools and techniques to aid their mission . This is likely to continue to dominate the cybersecurity field for some time to come .

Wellbeing and support for CISOs

In March we reflected on the impact of stress for CISOs , against a backdrop of increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks that threaten to impact businesses both financially and reputationally . Security leaders today are also dealing with a skills gap and talent shortage , which means this C-suite role has become highly challenging .

Kirsty Paine , Field CTO , Splunk , told Intelligent CISO that ‘ CISO stress ’ is very real , and it ’ s bad for our industry .

She highlighted that CISOs that push for a healthy working culture also set an example for their teams , stating : “ Redefine the image of being a CISO to yourself and your peers to acknowledge that being busy doesn ’ t equate to being successful .”

He said : “ Recognising our humanity and actively seeking balance is perhaps the most effective coping mechanism .”

Organisations must recognise the mental wellbeing of their cybersecurity personnel by providing adequate resources , support and fostering a culture that values work-life balance and self-care , he added .

Tackling the cyberskills shortage

The cyberskills shortage is well reported and widely considered to be one of the biggest challenges for industry professionals today .

Skills gaps not only impact organisations ’ security defences , but also the wellbeing of the wider team as they struggle to do their jobs effectively as the sophistication and frequency of attacks increases .

In April , we spoke to a number of industry experts who shared their perspectives on the best way to tackle this issue .

While AI will help to augment gaps in the human workforce , it ’ s also critical , our experts said , to consider diversity in recruitment campaigns .

Mandy Andress , CISO at Elastic , said this enables organisations to not only tap into a wider talent pool , but also foster an environment of innovative thinking and problem-solving , drawing from a range of perspectives , educational backgrounds , life experiences and skillsets .

Other suggestions including tapping into talent from military backgrounds , as well as expanding the net when recruiting candidates . Thanks to the ease of remote work , it ’ s now possible to find and employ staff in diverse geographic locations .

Middle East insights

We also shared insights from our CXO Priorities survey into the challenges and priorities of CISOs in the Middle East . Our research highlighted that security leaders in the region agree that AI will be a force for good to the industry , with 83 % supporting this sentiment – a testament to the widespread optimism regarding the potential of the technology .

70 WWW . INTELLIGENTCISO . COM