How CISO and CPO collaboration can ensure robust data protection

According to research, cyber-attacks happen in the UK every 39 seconds. On top of this, moving into 2024, businesses are persevering despite economic headwinds and general financial uncertainty.  

Implementing the right strategy to protect their sensitive and personal information from the 2,000 plus cyber-attacks that happen every day, is one area that leaders can take control of during these uncertain economic times. 

While implementing specific technologies is imperative to securing company data, I believe that CISO and CPO synergy is at the heart of any strong data protection strategy. In this piece, I will highlight the roles of both C-suite positions, exploring how they have been impacted by recent technological developments, and what synergy between the two roles should look like in practice. 

Defining the roles 

The Chief Information Security Officer and Chief Privacy Officer, though both responsible for data protection, have clearly distinguishable roles and duties within leadership teams. Understanding these roles and clearly communicating what they are to the organisation and to the board, will help to develop clear boundaries for all involved in the data protection process within the company. 

The Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) is usually responsible for developing and implementing policies aiming at protecting personal data of customers and employees and ensuring that it is being used in a legitimate and ethical way. Privacy policies and best practices are introduced to any process across the business that touches personal information, to respond to the regulations being introduced and updated continuously at global level and to the ever growing customers expectations.Additionally  the CPO is  responsible for educating the organisation and informing customers of the company's data processing practices – empowering everyone to protect personal information and increasing customers’ trust.

The security strategy and protection of all data assets fall into the remit of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). They are  responsible for devising the strategy and creating the policies, security architecture, processes and systems that help reduce cyber threats and keep data secure.  

The impact of AI  

As both the CISO and CPO are responsible for ensuring a businesses’ security and privacy, people in these positions will be constantly considering the impact and implications of new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, on the security and privacy policies and protocols they are putting in place. 

The implementation of AI tools in the workplace means that CISOs and CPOs will also play a vital role in the training of employees to ensure all employees understand the technology they are using and they use AI in line with the organisation’s guidelines. This will support the policies in place and prevent lack of understanding of AI from t putting data assets at risk.  

On top of this, as more businesses look to leverage AI to support operations, the CISO and CPO must use their informed positions to implement initiatives that support AI governance and lead companies to make the most effective use of AI. This can only be achieved if these leaders and their teams collaborate effectively to mitigate risks and manage the business's compliance with the evolving regulatory landscape. 

How to make everything work together  

To leverage the expertise of CPOs and CISOs and increase their effectiveness, businesses must support and encourage the two leaders in establishing a collaborative relationship, instead of a competitive one. With intersecting goals, sometimes  the two roles act independently. This can make policies around cybersecurity and data protection overcomplicated, confusing, or even conflicting with other policies. Collaboration between these two members of the C-suite can only strengthen the security and privacy strategies implemented at the company. It enables the organisation to implement the most robust policies to protect data, safeguard its reputation, and increase customers' trust.  

Data protection needs may differ depending on the industry and the technology being used. However, one thing that every company should do is foster an environment where the security and privacy leaders are working in harmony.