Defense in Depth: Role of the BISO

What is a business information security officer or BISO? Do you need one? Is it just an extension of the CISO or is it simply taking on the business aspect of the CISO role?


Check out this post for the basis for our conversation on this week’s episode which features me, David Spark (@dspark), producer of CISO Series, co-host Allan Alford (@allanalfordintx), and guest Nicole Dove (@IssaUrbanGirl), BISO, ADP, and host of Urban Girl Corporate World podcast.

Thanks to this week’s podcast sponsor, Deep Instinct

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On this episode of Defense in Depth, you’ll learn:

  • A BISO becomes very valuable where they can be mapped to a specific business unit (by locale or business line).
  • The BISO role has become important because practically all companies are reliant on data and technology.
  • The BISO must have power to do their job. That requires autonomy and decision making ability.
  • Another way to describe a BISO is as a senior business analyst with a security focus.
  • From CISO to project manager, roles change often for a BISO.
  • Geo-aligned positions for BISOs have become extremely valuable in light of different and growing territorial regulations.
  • BISO is a good role for a wannabe CISO.
  • Only large companies have room for a BISO.
  • A BISO who can cozy up to a particular business units sales strategy is of enormous value.
  • Make sure the BISO is actually bringing value and not just acting as a gatekeeper between security and the business.

Defense in Depth

David Spark
David Spark is the founder of CISO Series where he produces and co-hosts many of the shows. Spark is a veteran tech journalist having appeared in dozens of media outlets for almost three decades.