A BISO’s job is to coordinate business security and technology priorities across an enterprise, so they must be adept at communicating effectively with all parties involved, such as project managers or business subject matter experts.
A Business Intelligence Security Officer typically reports to the Chief Information Security Officer and has an informal relationship with business units they support; however, this varies based on each organization.
Certifications
As businesses expand and diversify, their data and systems require protection. That’s where a Business Information Security Officer (BISO) comes in; this role serves as a hybrid between cybersecurity and line of business roles that has become essential in many organizations. Working closely with business leadership, this individual ensures cybersecurity initiatives have clear impactful results on operations and goals.
A Business Information Security Officer (BISO) should be an adept communicator capable of embedding security fundamentals into every aspect of business operations, from technology selection and project management through to third parties and third-party vendors. In addition, they should be comfortable liaising closely with stakeholders like project managers and subject matter experts (SMEs) in order to deliver cybersecurity services which support business leader initiatives.
A BISO’s duties can depend on the size and structure of their company and departmental departments. Some BISOs work directly under their CISO while others report to departmental points persons within their organization; regardless of how structured, their primary goal should be bridging business leadership with cybersecurity – something which requires specific sets of skills.
To be effective as a Business and Information Systems Officer (BISO), one needs strong technical knowledge of how businesses function and interrelate, along with the skills to develop policies and influence team morale. Furthermore, they should have knowledge of current cybersecurity legislation and best practices.
Successful BISOs possess an intuitive understanding of the big picture. They have the ability to prioritize projects and help their CISO counterparts avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many moving parts. A BISO also assists in linking cybersecurity initiatives with business goals – an often-discussed topic among CISOs and executives alike.
There are several certifications a BISO can pursue to expand their career opportunities, including EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEEH), the Certified Information Security Systems Practitioner (CISSP), CompTIA Security+ and the GIAC GPEN. While certifications aren’t compulsory, they’re an effective way of demonstrating knowledge and skill; additionally BISOs should demonstrate passion for cybersecurity while being capable of linking security back into business operations.
Exams
Nearly every profession requires some form of certification; oftentimes this involves passing an exam. PC technicians in IT often attain the CompTIA A+ certification; this demonstrates their knowledge in areas like security, hardware/OS integration and troubleshooting. McGraw-Hill Education’s CompTIA A+ All-in-One Exam Guide tenth edition quiz can help test your knowledge and identify areas needing additional study before sitting the A+ exam.
As the role of a business information security officer (BISO) continues to develop, it becomes ever more essential that they remain up-to-date on cybersecurity laws and best practices. A good BISO must also possess strong management and leadership abilities so as to be able to implement policies, promote team morale, handle crisis situations effectively, etc.
Aspiring Business Information Security Officers can typically become one by combining education and work experience in both technology and business fields. Popular degrees for this career path may include master’s in IT management, bachelor’s of computer science with a cybersecurity concentration or law degrees with this specialty. A BISO needs to have knowledge of various cybertechnology systems as well as be capable of communicating technical concepts to non-technical staff with ease; additionally they should also be capable of setting clear objectives and timelines for projects.
Study Materials
Preparing for the CCISO exam requires study materials from many sources. Candidates can find official training materials, study guides, practice exams and online resources and forums as potential resources. To optimize exam preparation tools best suited to individual learning styles and preferences – from live or streaming video courses to e-books or printed study materials as well as study apps or flash cards or practice exam simulators.
Alyssa Rosenberg is an accomplished security executive and lifelong hacker. As Business Information Security Officer for S&P Global Ratings, she leads its security strategy using her unique blend of technical knowledge and business acumen – something which helps align her security objectives with those of the organization as a whole.
BISOs, commonly referred to as deputy Chief Information Security Officers, may also pursue careers as “deputy CISOs.” To prepare themselves for such an endeavor, individuals who want a career as one should complete both science and management courses in areas such as IT management or cyber policy and management, or take classes towards an MBA focused on information security.
Exam Tips
Provided with adequate study materials and knowledge on how to take an exam, even the best-prepared candidates can still fail their certification test due to miscommunication about how best to approach it or what awaits them on test day.
On exam day, your mind has likely been bombarded with new technical knowledge over recent weeks and months; therefore, it can be daunting. Don’t allow this anxiety to influence your test-taking abilities! Stay true to what was learned back in middle school: don’t rush; remain focused; carefully read all questions and answers presented before beginning the test.
If taking a multiple-choice or performance-based test, do not change your answers unless absolutely sure they are incorrect. Be especially wary when answering multiple choice or performance-based tests where multiple answers might change their meaning based on such phrases as “most,” “least,” not,” or always.” Each option might alter its meaning completely so it is wise to take some time pondering each choice before answering each question.
Your first thought might be to turn to online forums or social media for help in passing the Security+ exam, but this can quickly backfire if any comments or advice provided is too negative. Instead, search “Security+ success” posts for reading other candidates’ experiences as well as gathering helpful tips on how to best prepare and pass.
Keep this in mind when taking exams: you won’t receive an ideal score and that is okay. According to Microsoft instructors, many exam questions can be designed in such a way as to fool candidates; don’t be discouraged if your score falls short of your expectation.
After passing your exam, make sure you take all necessary steps to become certified. This will show employers and coworkers your commitment to staying abreast with technology trends and practices. Keep in mind that allowing your certification to lapse will require you to reearn it; this process could prove time-consuming and expensive so ensure you remain diligent during studies.