2023-10-15 –, WestIn - Munich
This study presents a qualitative content analysis of public job advertisements for the position of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) in both the DACH area (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and the United States of America. The analysis comprises a representative sample of recent public job advertisements collected over a period of three months. The primary objectives of the research are twofold.
Firstly, the study compares the roles, responsibilities, resources, and duties outlined in the job advertisements with the actual requirements derived from contemporary security best practices, such as ISO/IEC 27001. By evaluating this alignment, we aim to ascertain any potential discrepancies between the advertised expectations and the industry's current security standards.
Secondly, we investigate potential regional variations in CISO job descriptions, taking into account cultural, legal, and organizational differences between the DACH region and the United States. Understanding these distinctions could provide insights into the specific demands and preferences of each region concerning information security management.
The ultimate goal of this research is to identify any adverse impact that might arise from discrepancies between the requirements set forth by organizations in job advertisements and the actual best practices. By shedding light on these potential mismatches, we hope to contribute to the enhancement of information security recruitment and practices, thereby fortifying companies' security management efforts.
We are honored to present our latest research at the BSIdes conference, delving into the realm of Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) job advertisements. Our study examines an essential aspect of information security management by comparing public job advertisements for the CISO position in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) and the United States of America.
Over a period of three months, we have analyzed a representative sample of job advertisements, aiming to assess the alignment between advertised expectations and contemporary security best practices, such as ISO/IEC 27001. Additionally, we explored potential regional differences, considering cultural, legal, and organizational nuances.
Our study is based on a qualitative content analysis and holds implications for information security recruitment and practices, with the potential to contribute to more effective strategies and enhanced security management.
We eagerly await the opportunity to share our results and insights with you during the conference.
Qualitative Content Analysis, Chief Information Security Officer, CISO Recruiting, Discrepancies
Daniel Fall is a Managing Partner at difesa with a focus on compliance and risk management in the context of information security.