In a time in which cybercrime has grown, boards with a mission face many challenges in achieving their goals. Effective communication and a strong relationship between board members are therefore crucial to the long-term success of an organization.
General attorneys, Board secretaries and chief information security officials (CISOs), who are under increasing pressure to improve their communication with board members due to the growing attention paid to cybersecurity as well as regulatory requirements, need to do more. Unfortunately, despite all efforts many governance professionals struggle to keep board communications safe and organized. It is not common for sensitive internal communication regarding governance to be sent through insecure communication channels -like personal email which can put organizations at risk of security breaches and regulatory penalties.
To prevent this from happening issue, it is crucial for CISOs to take steps to implement board management solutions which facilitate private and group collaboration and communication. This involves implementing a board portal software that is mobile-friendly and easy to use. Additionally, it is necessary to use video conference tools that enable secure and reliable virtual meetings. Instant messaging platforms and collaboration tools for documents are crucial to facilitate efficient and collaborative interactions among board members.
Additionally, CISOs must present their reports to the board using business-like language and terms to ensure that they convey the importance of cybersecurity issues to the company’s bottom line. For example, instead of declaring that there is a high chance of a cyber attack and then stating that it could cost the company the company X dollars. This helps place the issue in a context and creates a more productive discussion on how to proceed.