Why the future of your business lies in your CISO’s hands
New research into consumer, employee and business leader attitudes to cybersecurity makes it imperative that CISOs take a leading business role.
Our recent research, available here, confirms that cybersecurity is the top issue on the agenda in boardrooms around the globe. Only the pandemic has the power to overshadow security issues right now. And this means that it’s the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) who will be expected to step forward and enable the business as it settles into new ways of digital working.
But CISOs can only make effective plans if they understand the context and know what business leaders, employees and consumers think about cybersecurity. Will they cooperate and do whatever’s necessary to protect you and them? Or is there still work to do to win over hearts and minds?
BT Security’s largest ever research project – CISO under the Spotlight – identifies the major trends that are impacting the role of the CISO, and the worrying behaviours that show the need for a strategic response.
Your security depends on your people
The research backs up what I’ve seen in so many companies: people are still fundamental to cybersecurity. You can have all the solutions in the world, but if people don’t follow basic cybersecurity measures, you’re wide open to breaches. Despite all the cyber threats out there, the easiest way to infiltrate any organisation is still through an employee.
Our respondents were brutally honest and what they told us is alarming. 45% of employees said they’d had a security incident while working and not declared it. Alongside that, people knowingly take risks online, even though they understand the dangers. Employees are losing work laptops and phones and not reporting it or are giving their work logins and passwords to others.
Security wins customers
64% of consumers said they’d recommend firms that make big efforts to keep data secure. This shows that a business visibly on the cybersecurity ball will reassure consumers and create confidence in its digital products and services, carving itself a competitive advantage. Corroborating that point, 67% of consumers said that security is more important than convenience.
The research consistently shows that security is increasingly a deciding factor for customer choices. It also highlights the huge opportunity to differentiate your business by displaying your security credentials, given that only 16% of consumers strongly agree they trust large organisations to protect their personal data.
How can a CISO combat this?
Inside the organisation, CISOs need to look beyond technological solutions and super-charge the human firewall. Start by sharpening up security hygiene so your people adopt digitally safe behaviours and are actively on their guard against cyber threats. And externally, don’t be afraid to increase security measures. The good news is, the balance has tipped and there’s new positivity towards cybersecurity with consumers and employees ready to embrace more security measures to stay safe online.
I’ve just scratched the surface of the findings here; I really recommend you take a look at the full report to find out how critical the role of the CISO is to your cybersecurity and your business.
Jill Broom
Jill Broom
Jill leads the techUK Cyber Resilience programme, having originally joined techUK in October 2020 as a Programme Manager for the Cyber and Central Government programmes. She is responsible for managing techUK's work across the cyber security ecosystem, bringing industry together with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors. Jill also provides the industry secretariat for the Cyber Growth Partnership, the industry and government conduit for supporting the growth of the sector. A key focus of her work is to strengthen the public–private partnership across cyber to support further development of UK cyber security and resilience policy.
Before joining techUK, Jill worked as a Senior Caseworker for an MP, advocating for local communities, businesses and individuals, so she is particularly committed to techUK’s vision of harnessing the power of technology to improve people’s lives. Jill is also an experienced editorial professional and has delivered copyediting and writing services for public-body and SME clients as well as publishers.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-broom-19aa824
Annie Collings
Annie Collings
Annie is the Programme Manager for Cyber Resilience at techUK. She first joined as the Programme Manager for Cyber Security and Central Government in September 2023.
In her role, Annie supports the Cyber Security SME Forum, engaging regularly with key government and industry stakeholders to advance the growth and development of SMEs in the cyber sector. Annie also coordinates events, engages with policy makers and represents techUK at a number of cyber security events.
Before joining techUK, Annie was an Account Manager at a specialist healthcare agency, where she provided public affairs support to a wide range of medical technology clients. She also gained experience as an intern in both an MP’s constituency office and with the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Annie holds a degree in International Relations from Nottingham Trent University.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Twitter:
- anniecollings24
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-collings-270150158/
Olivia Staples
Olivia Staples
Olivia Staples joined techUK in May 2025 as a Junior Programme Manager in the Cyber Resilience team.
She supports the programs mission to promote cyber resilience by engaging key commercial and government stakeholders to shape the cyber resilience policy towards increased security and industry growth. Olivia assists in member engagement, event facilitation and communications support.
Before joining techUK, Olivia gained experience in research, advocacy, and strategic communications across several international organisations. At the Munich Security Conference, she supported stakeholder engagement and contributed to strategic communications. She also worked closely with local and national government stakeholders in Spain and Italy, where she was involved in policy monitoring and advocacy for both public and private sector clients.
Olivia holds an MSc in Political Science (Comparative Politics and Conflict Studies) from the London School of Economics (LSE) and a BA in Spanish and Latin American Studies from University College London (UCL).
Outside of tech, Olivia enjoys volunteering with local charities and learning Norwegian.
- Email:
- [email protected]
Francesca Richiusa
Francesca Richiusa
Fran serves as the Programme Team Assistant within techUK’s Public Sector Market Programmes, where she is responsible for delivering comprehensive team support, managing administrative functions, and fostering strong relationships with members.
Prior to joining techUK in May 2025, Fran built a meaningful career in the charitable and local government sectors. She worked extensively with both victims and perpetrators of crime, and notably led the coordination of Domestic Homicide Reviews across Surrey—an initiative aimed at identifying lessons and preventing future incidents of domestic abuse.
Outside of work, Fran is an avid traveller and a proud cat mum who enjoys unwinding with her feline companions.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Website:
- www.techuk.org/
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-richiusa/