How Cyber Security Pros Transition to Board Level Decision Makers

Many cybersecurity pros, sensing a hot trend, think they’re board material, but “not many of them are qualified,” says Matt Comyns, co-global cybersecurity practice leader at executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates. The firm has identified four common backgrounds for cybersecurity board members, based on the board selections that publicly traded companies have already made. Many successful candidates were CISOs or CSOs with a cyber or IT background and a deep understanding of cybersecurity issues from a more technical point of view, he says. Another popular candidate pool came out of government where they held cyber positions in the military or intelligence community.