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CEO and CISO Disconnect in Cybersecurity Prioritization and Strategy Puts Australian Organizations at Risk - Unisys SurveySYDNEY and BLUE BELL, Pa., Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) confidence regarding an organization's ability to detect and manage cyber concerns far outstrips that of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) – a disconnect that puts organizations at risk of cyberattacks, according to research released today by Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS). The "Cybersecurity Standoff – Australia" research explores insights from 88 CEOs and 54 CISOs, predominantly from Australia's small-to-medium business (SMB) sector that forms a critical part of physical and digital supply chains. The responses indicate that many Australian CEOs still view cybersecurity in tactical terms and are failing to incorporate the protection of essential digital assets into strategic planning. For example, while 69% of CISOs believe that cybersecurity is viewed as part of the organization's business plans and objectives, just 27% of CEOs agree with this statement. In addition, a quarter of organizations with a board do not report cybersecurity on a regular basis, and just 6% of all survey respondents see the role of their cybersecurity frameworks as tools to enable business and support growth. "Lack of communication is a fundamental cause of this type of disconnect between the CEO and CISO. Not every CEO and CISO know how to, or even like to, talk to each other – they don't share the same language and might define what constitutes a breach very differently. And to some degree there is a fear factor: where some CISOs believe if they disclose every issue they run into, they will lose their jobs. Effective communication and shared definitions are needed to drive a mindset change where security risk management becomes part of the business plan," said Gergana Kiryakova, industry director cyber security for Unisys, Australia and New Zealand. The research reveals a consistent theme of cybersecurity over-confidence among CEOs:
Peter Altabef, Chairman and CEO of Unisys, explained the challenge of securing the supply chain in today's hyper-connected world: "No single government entity, company or industry group is individually capable of designing or maintaining an assuredly safe internet environment. The effort must be the result of a coordinated approach where stakeholders have a shared understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities and take actions that promote integration of complementary ecosystem capabilities." Altabef is co-chair of the U.S. President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) Cybersecurity Moonshot initiative, which has the goal to make the Internet safe and secure for the delivery of critical services by 2028. Unisys recommends a security approach that spans six key pillars to protect critical digital assets and change cybersecurity culture within the business. They are:
Research Methodology About Unisys Follow Unisys on Twitter and LinkedIn. RELEASE NO.: 1016/9719 Unisys and other Unisys products and services mentioned herein, as well as their respective logos, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Unisys Corporation. Any other brand or product referenced herein is acknowledged to be a trademark or registered trademark of its respective holder. UIS-C View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ceo-and-ciso-disconnect-in-cybersecurity-prioritization-and-strategy-puts-australian-organizations-at-risk--unisys-survey-300939102.html SOURCE Unisys Corporation |