Introduction

Security leaders are increasingly tasked with broader responsibilities to support their organizations while ensuring robust protection against evolving threats. CISOs are often expected to accomplish what feels like “mission impossible,” frequently with varying levels of support from peers and leadership. While we often champion the idea that security is a shared responsibility, the reality is that it’s rarely treated as such. Unlike other business functions with clear ownership, security is often viewed as an obstacle or delay rather than a critical business enabler.

With the exception of a few organizations that have successfully adopted a “security-first” mindset at the leadership level, most companies still struggle to align security with business goals in a meaningful way. As a result, CISOs not only have to excel in their technical and strategic responsibilities but must also navigate the challenges of positioning themselves and their teams as valuable business partners—often in environments with limited organizational maturity or support.

Drawing from my experience and the analysis of countless organizational profiles, I’ve identified 25 essential functions and programs that every CISO should either lead or actively engage in to succeed. These represent the foundation of a strong, effective security program and a resilient organization.

25 CISO Programs & Functions to Consider in 2025

1. Administration Effective administration ensures smooth operations by structuring teams, workflows, and policies. Without clear administrative processes, even the best strategies can falter.
2. Analytics & Reporting Timely and accurate reporting offers visibility into risks and performance. For example, dashboarding attack trends can help executives allocate resources effectively.
3. Architecture A solid security architecture creates a resilient foundation for systems. Think of it as a blueprint for integrating security at every layer, like securing data flows in a microservices environment.
4. Asset & Configuration Management (CMDB) Knowing your assets is foundational. A CMDB helps identify vulnerabilities like outdated firmware in IoT devices, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
5. Business Continuity & Resiliency Planning (BCRP) Continuity plans mitigate downtime. For example, a tested disaster recovery strategy can restore operations within hours of a ransomware attack.
6. Change Management & Control Controlled changes reduce risks. For instance, implementing a firewall rule review process can prevent unintended access.
7. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) CSPM ensures cloud compliance and threat visibility. Misconfigured S3 buckets are a common example of risks CSPM addresses.
8. Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Protecting sensitive data is non-negotiable. DLP prevents leaks like blocking unauthorized file sharing of customer PII.
9. DevSecOps/AppSec Security in the SDLC reduces risks early. Automated code scanning during CI/CD pipelines ensures vulnerabilities are caught pre-production.
10. Education, Training, and Awareness People are the weakest link. Regular phishing simulations train employees to recognize threats, reducing breach likelihood.
11. Endpoint Management & Protection (MDM/XDR) Strong endpoint controls protect against lateral movement. Tools like XDR detect and isolate compromised devices swiftly.
12. Engineering & Automation Automating routine tasks like patch management reduces human error and accelerates response times.
13. Forensics Post-breach forensics provides actionable insights. For example, analyzing an attack vector helps refine defenses.
14. Governance, Risk, & Compliance (GRC) GRC aligns security with business goals. Demonstrating compliance with SOC 2 can win client trust.
15. Identity & Access Management (IAM) IAM ensures least privilege access. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a simple yet effective control.
16. Infrastructure Security Securing networks, servers, and databases is vital. Segmentation prevents a breach in one system from cascading across the environment.
17. Operational Readiness Ensuring newly built systems meet security requirements can help avoid introducing vulnerable systems into the environment.
18. Physical & IoT Security Physical security complements cyber controls. Securing IoT devices like smart locks prevents unauthorized building access.
19. Project Management & Consulting Strong project management ensures initiatives stay on track and deliver ROI.
20. Research & Development (R&D) Innovation in security keeps you ahead of threats. Developing custom detection rules can address emerging threats.
21. Security Operations & Incident Response (SOC/SIEM) A proactive SOC detects and contains threats in real-time. SIEM analytics reduce mean time to detect (MTTD).
22. Service/Help Desk A responsive help desk strengthens user trust and quickly resolves security-related issues like password resets.
23. Third Party Security Management (TPSM) Vendors introduce risks. Regular assessments ensure third parties meet security standards.
24. Threat and Vulnerability Management (TVM) TVM identifies and remediates risks proactively. For example, patching zero-days before exploitation is key.
25. Zero Trust Zero Trust ensures no implicit trust, verifying all access. It’s the modern security model to combat insider and external threats.

Conclusion

As the role of the CISO continues to evolve, embracing these 25 critical functions and programs can transform security from being seen as a roadblock to becoming a business enabler. By embedding security into the fabric of the organization and aligning it with business objectives, security leaders can foster resilience, trust, and innovation. The path is not without challenges, but by focusing on collaboration, strategic influence, and operational excellence, CISOs can turn the “mission impossible” into a mission accomplished—ensuring their organizations are not just protected but empowered to thrive in an increasingly complex digital landscape.