In today’s world, the foundation of the internet bears an uncanny resemblance to century-old water systems still hidden beneath major cities—built for ease, not security. Originally designed to facilitate the seamless exchange of information, early internet systems rarely even used passwords.
Fast-forward to the present, and nearly every aspect of modern civilization rests on the back of this outdated system. But unlike in the past, today's cyber landscape is teeming with sophisticated threats. Cyber defense, particularly in an AI-driven world, puts even the most experienced CISOs on the defensive, often battling against overwhelming odds.
The knee-jerk reaction when a breach occurs is often to blame the CISO and start looking for a replacement. But this short-sighted approach isn’t the answer. In fact, frequent CISO turnover—every 18 months in many organizations—prevents companies from building the institutional knowledge needed to recover and evolve after an attack. A seasoned CISO, with deep knowledge of your organization’s operations, is vital for not just responding to breaches but ensuring that the lessons learned are integrated into future strategies.
This is where a Just Culture framework comes into play. Rather than focusing on blame, it encourages open information sharing and ensures that errors don’t become entrenched in your corporate structure. By embracing this approach, business owners in the food and agricultural supply chain can create an environment where cyber defenses evolve from mistakes, rather than allowing them to fester.
The bottom line? Frequent CISO replacements won’t shield your business from future attacks. Instead, it’s about empowering your team with the right culture, ensuring that your CISO has the tools and institutional backing to adapt, learn, and strengthen your cyber defenses over time.
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