December 13.2025
2 Minutes Read

Understanding the CISO-COO Partnership: Key to Operational Excellence and Cyber Resilience

Hands holding colorful gears symbolizing CISO-COO partnership.

Forging a Strong Alliance: The CISO-COO Partnership

In today's digital landscape, the synergy between chief information security officers (CISOs) and chief operating officers (COOs) is becoming increasingly vital for organizational success. Amidst rising cybersecurity threats, the partnership between these leaders transcends traditional boundaries, merging operational excellence with cybersecurity resilience.

The Importance of Cyber Resilience

Cyber resilience refers to an organization’s capacity to withstand and recover from cyber-related incidents while maintaining critical business operations. In a world where ransomware attacks can halt operations more effectively than physical failures, it's essential for COOs and CISOs to collaborate closely. As discussed by David Elfering, director of security at Carrix, “operations disruption is often the business's biggest practical risk.” This underscores the necessity for COOs to view cybersecurity investments as crucial to operational continuity.

Building the Relationship: Before Crises Arise

One of the gravest errors companies can make is neglecting to cultivate the relationship between CISOs and COOs until a crisis strikes. Effective collaboration during emergencies hinges on prior trust and understanding. According to Adam Ennamli, chief risk, compliance, and security officer at General Bank of Canada, the frequent communication and engagement through periodic touchpoints can help leaders navigate crises more effectively. Engaging in ongoing discussions regarding operational dependencies and aligning on security protocols will pave the way for strength in vulnerable times.

Operational Specificity in Crisis Management

Creating a comprehensive crisis management strategy is crucial. It is not enough to have vague plans outlining general communication protocols. Companies must develop detailed operational decision trees that address specific attack scenarios. For instance, if a ransomware attack targets the customer transaction system, the joint response plan must clarify the recovery steps, potential impacts, and communication plans with customers.

Regular Preparedness Exercises

Drills that involve both CISOs and COOs can strengthen the organization’s defenses against potential cyber threats. Tabletop exercises should simulate realistic attack scenarios to assess the efficacy of response plans. By routinely practicing collaboration and decision-making in these simulations, organizations can better prepare for real-life events, minimizing the risk of delays and communication failures during a crisis.

Ultimately, the collaboration between CISOs and COOs is indispensable for achieving operational resilience in today's rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Enterprises that prioritize this partnership are better positioned to maintain continuity and minimize damage when faced with complex cyber threats. In an era where operational and cybersecurity excellence intersect, aligning these two pivotal roles is not merely advantageous; it is essential.

Cybersecurity Corner

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