Just by taking a quick look at Steve Katz’s career as the first CISO, it’s easy to see how rapidly this managerial position has evolved over time. It’s expected that, like cybersecurity itself, the role of the CISO will continue to be redefined during the coming years and decades.
One anticipated trend is the need to define an overarching, long-term cybersecurity strategy for each organization, rather than allowing a company’s information security program to be immediately affected by each new headline about data breaches. Future CISOs will need to be visionaries who provide strong leadership to keep the company steady even amid temporary cybersecurity setbacks.
The College of Science, Engineering and Technology at Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a leader in cutting-edge tech degree programs. When you earn your Master of Science in Cybersecurity, you will be better prepared to pursue high-level leadership positions within cybersecurity. Additionally, if you have an undergraduate degree in a field other than cybersecurity, consider applying for GCU’s certificate in cybersecurity to learn more about how to become a CISO. Fill out the form on this page to speak to an academic advisor about pursuing an education in cybersecurity.
Retrieved from:
1 Cybercrime Magazine, Backstory Of The World’s First Chief Information Security Officer in August 2021
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Computer Systems Analysts as of May 2021, retrieved on Feb. 14, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as computer systems analysts. It does not reflect workers’ earnings in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. The median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path.
3 (ISC)2, CISSP Experience Requirements in August 2021
4 Project Management Institute, Project Management Professional (PMP)® in August 2021
5 Project Management Institute, Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® in August 2021
6 (ISC)2, (ISC)2 2022 Cybersecurity Workforce Study in March 2023
Approved by faculty for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology on Feb. 15, 2023.