The role of CISO is constantly expanding and evolving with the growing awareness of cyber attacks. As cyber attacks increase in density and sophistication, organizations are beginning to look at security as a business priority and the role of CISO has become more critical.
Companies need to look beyond basic technical expertise and the necessary leadership skills and instead look for someone who can also understand their organization’s operations and can express IT security priorities from a business perspective. In addition to skills in IT security, it is evermore important to have a business background as well as leadership and management soft skills like teamwork and communication in order to make your way to the top.
So what does it actually take to become a leading CISO?
In an effort to shine some light on this query, we analyzed the CISOs of Fortune 100 companies. By looking at their common endorsements and educational backgrounds on LinkedIn, we were able to gauge what it takes to become one of the top leaders in cybersecurity today.
Check out our infographic below to learn more about the expertise and educational background of the world’s top cybersecurity leaders.

Because of the increase in cyber attacks, the role of CISO is constantly evolving to fit cybersecurity business needs. By diversifying their skill sets, these top CISOs are paving the way for a better future in cybersecurity. In addition, check out the top 10 female CISOs that are leading the way for women in tech.
What you should do now
Below are three ways we can help you begin your journey to reducing data risk at your company:
- Schedule a demo session with us, where we can show you around, answer your questions, and help you see if Varonis is right for you.
- Download our free report and learn the risks associated with SaaS data exposure.
- Share this blog post with someone you know who'd enjoy reading it. Share it with them via email, LinkedIn, Reddit, or Facebook.
Rob Sobers
Rob Sobers is a software engineer specializing in web security and is the co-author of the book Learn Ruby the Hard Way.