Executive Leadership
Deputy CISO Recruiting
The CISO's second in command, running day-to-day security operations and often the designated successor.
About the role
A Deputy CISO lets the CISO spend more time with the board, customers and regulators by taking ownership of how the security program runs day to day. In many organizations the Deputy CISO leads the security managers directly, manages the operating budget and keeps programs on schedule.
Companies also use the role for succession planning. A strong Deputy CISO is someone who could step into the top job, so the search looks for leaders with both operational depth and the executive presence to grow into it.
Typical responsibilities
- Run the security program's daily operations across operations, engineering and GRC teams
- Manage program delivery, metrics and operating budget
- Act for the CISO in executive meetings and during incidents
- Coordinate security priorities with IT, engineering, legal and business units
- Develop managers and build a bench of future leaders
What we assess in candidates
- Operational leadership of multiple security functions at once
- Program management discipline and use of metrics
- Executive presence and readiness for a future CISO role
- Working relationships with peers in IT, engineering and the business
How we search for a Deputy CISO
We define with the CISO which parts of the program the deputy will own and whether the role is an explicit successor. We then target security directors and senior managers who have already run more than one function, and test both their operational record and their readiness to represent the CISO in front of executives.
Frequently asked questions
When does a company need a Deputy CISO?
Usually when the CISO's time is split between the board, customers and regulators and the program's daily running starts to slip. It is also common ahead of a planned CISO transition.
Is a Deputy CISO the same as a Head of Security Operations?
No. A Head of Security Operations owns detection and response. A Deputy CISO usually oversees several functions, including operations, and acts on behalf of the CISO.
Related functions
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Looking for a Deputy CISO?
Tell us about the role and the team. We will reply within one business day.