Finance & Banking , Industry Specific , Leadership & Executive Communication

Beyond the Technical: The Evolving CISO

The role of the chief information security officer is evolving beyond a technical leadership position to a more strategic one. As cybersecurity threats grow in complexity, CISOs must work closely with business leaders to align security strategies with overall business objectives, said Erika Dean, CSO at investment and financial services firm Robinhood Markets.

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"A CISO has to be more invested in the business and understand where the business strategy is going … have that relationship with business leaders, with the CEO and the board. To influence and help drive change from a cybersecurity perspective, you have to have those relationships," Dean said, adding that building strong relationships across the organization and staying connected with industry developments are critical to success.

The evolving CISO role also demands a keen understanding of compliance and regulatory requirements, she said. As industries like financial services face heightened scrutiny, CISOs must adjust their approaches when moving between sectors with different compliance standards.

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group at the Financial Services Cybersecurity Summit in New York, Dean discussed:

• The need for driving organizational change in cybersecurity culture;
• The challenges faced by CISOs transitioning between industries;
• Why staying informed about regulatory frameworks and cybersecurity threats is essential.

Dean is a seasoned cybersecurity leader with over two decades of experience in information security, risk management and strategic leadership. In her current role, she has driven transformative security initiatives, ensuring robust protection for millions of users in a rapidly evolving financial landscape. Before joining Robinhood Markets, she spent 20 years at Capital One, where she held key leadership roles, including vice president and divisional CISO.