From Security Manager to CISO
Your real-world roadmap on how to become a CISO
You’re a Cyber-Security Manager, directing a team, leading incident responses, and shaping security policies but you’ve been doing it for many years and not content to stay where you are. You want a seat at the executive table. You’re ready to become a CISO.
Sound familiar?
And you understand the importance of cyber-security to Australian businesses, particularly in this day and age. As cyber-security remains a pivotal business priority, with the average cost of a data breach in Australia amounting to AUD$3.35 Million per breach, becoming a CISO in Australia is a vital career step for many talent cyber experts.
But how do you become a CISO?
If you're a mid-level IT or security manager aiming for that next big leap, there are things you need to know to ensure you are ready for the promotion. Many in your shoes feel both ready and uncertain — confident in their skills but unsure how to frame them for the boardroom. Let’s walk through the key steps, mindset shifts, and emotional pivot points that can get you from middle management to cyber-security’s highest office.
Related: Looking for more management advice? See our suite of blogs to keep you attune with important management tips.
What are the key functions of a CISO?
You already understand the cyber-security in Australia. You’ve been managing threats, leading teams, and protecting infrastructure. But stepping into the CISO role means expanding that expertise into something broader. It will be your responsibility to shape how the entire organisation approaches risk, resilience, and trust, along with securing systems. A CISO navigates not only technical challenges but also business priorities, regulatory pressures, and cross-departmental relationships, all while maintaining the performance and reliability of the company’s digital backbone.
In Australia’s business environment, where cyber-security risks remain high, a CISO is responsible for:
Reviewing, initiating and monitoring appropriate cyber security strategies in line with regulatory standards especially around data protection
Developing security solutions including intrusion detection, firewalls, data, and encryption
Developing and implementing policies, standards and procedures to maintain a high level of security
Advising management on the appropriate cyber security solutions and technologies to be deployed
Preparing and updating plans for business continuity and disaster recovery in the event the company is the subject of a cyberattack
Staying abreast of evolving security threats, identifying potential weaknesses in company systems, and reviewing and implementing change management processes
Building a company-wide culture of security risk assessment and compliance
The CISO may also be tasked with implementing measures that may go beyond a company’s immediate team – and expand to company clients, customers or suppliers.
Related: How to improve your leadership skills
How to become a CISO in Australia
The CISO role is a senior management or executive position and requires a blend of technical expertise and leadership experience.
But besides the obvious need for leadership skills and in-depth knowledge of IT systems, architecture, data administration, cyber-security and ongoing threats, how do you make the jump from Manager to CISO?
Related: The benefits of good communication skills
1. Move from tactical thinking to strategic vision
While managers execute frontline operations, CISOs develop and direct the broader security plan. This means you need to demonstrate more strategic thinking when it comes to decision-making.
To grow into a CISO role, start asking:
How do security investments align with business goals?
How do I measure and communicate risk to non-technical leaders?
What are the financial, legal, and reputational impacts of security decisions?
If you’re wondering how to improve your strategic thinking to become a CISO, start reading earnings reports and business strategy decks. The more fluent you are in “boardroom speak” and the company strategy, the more ready you’ll feel and appear for the executive step up.
2. Build executive presence
Many qualified professionals who are looking to make the transition to the top security seat stall out because they think, “I’m not that kind of leader” or “I don’t have those leadership qualities”.
Luckily for you, you don’t need to become someone else. All you need to do is refine how you communicate value and vision.
Keep this in mind:
Speak with clarity and calm under pressure
Translate security metrics into business language
Own your decisions and present them with confidence
In order to build your executive presence to become a CISO, picture yourself as the boss. How would the current CISO talk about a situation?
3. Upskill with intention
Upskilling in any job is essential to climb the ladder, but to become a CISO, you want to channel your upskilling efforts into the areas that will set you apart from other Security Managers who are looking to make the executive jump. Certifications like CISM, CISSP, or even an MBA can help, but they aren’t golden tickets. The true key to unlocking your CISO potential is how you apply what you learn from the certifications in leadership contexts.
Consider:
Mentorship from current CISOs
Stretch roles that expand your scope (e.g., vendor negotiations, compliance ownership, any other areas you feel you like visibility/knowledge on)
Courses on executive leadership, not just technical topics
Try joining industry roundtables or CISO forums where leadership decisions are unpacked in real time. This will give you a glimpse of the conversations CISO lead and contribute too, helping you identify what value you could bring to the table.
4. Address personal roadblocks
As you may already know from your own experience as a manager, career progression isn't always a confident stride forward. For many, "climbing the ladder" is intertwined with periods of significant self-doubt. Thoughts like “Am I ready?”, “What if I don’t fit the mold?”, “How do I compete with people who already sit in the boardroom?” are common for those looking to become a CISO.
In a landscape where change is happening at an unprecedented rate, especially in the security space, the CISO role is evolving. There’s more room than ever for diverse perspectives, nontraditional backgrounds, and emotionally intelligent leaders.
Don’t let thoughts of self-doubt become a career ceiling. Surround yourself with peers who are climbing too. Join communities that push you and reflect your potential.
5. Own your narrative
Something that becomes clear when you get into the boardroom is most executives don’t just have resumes, they have stories.
The things that will shape your CISO story will be:
Your leadership style
How you turn chaos into clarity
How you see the future of security, and what role you want to play in it
Your stories and experiences that have helped you reach where you are (and hopefully the CISO role) will be a key differentiator to other executives. You all bring some different to the table – so use that to your advantage.
What soft skills should a CISO have?
Beyond the crucial technical expertise, ascending to the role of Chief Information Security Officer also demands a robust set of soft skills. While often-underestimated, interpersonal and leadership qualities are vital to distinguish successful CISOs. These are the skills that enable executives to effectively communicate complex security concepts, build strong teams, influence stakeholders, and navigate the transforming landscape of cyber threats with strategic foresight.
Problem solving skills
In order to stay ahead of an ever-evolving cyber security landscape, a CISO needs to have an analytical mindset and ability to interpret and guide responses to both long-term and immediate pressures.
Leadership skills
As a the most senior position within the IT team, the role calls for excellent management and teamwork skills.
Communication skills
Strong presentation skills can be essential as the CISO may be called on to speak at company or industry functions, or to present to the company Board. The ability to clearly and effectively convey highly technical issues to non-technical personnel is especially desirable.
You don’t become a CISO overnight but you absolutely can become one with the right mix of vision, vulnerability, and drive. You already lead. Now it’s about learning to lead at scale, with the business in mind and your confidence intact.
Are you an IT professional looking for your next career opportunity? As a leader in technology recruitment, Robert Half can help you find the right IT role for you in Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a CISO?
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is senior level executive usually in a large company, responsible for an organisation's information security, developing and implementing policies to keep critical data secure.
What does a CISO do?
A Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is responsible for establishing and enforcing an organisation's information security framework, which encompasses areas like risk assessment, creating security policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and developing plans for responding to security incidents.
What is a CISO salary?
According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, a CISO salary can range between $220,000 and $302,500.
What is the difference between a CIO and a CISO?
Within a company’s IT department, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) has traditionally captained the team, and held responsibility for developing the organisation’s overarching digital strategy.
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) on the other hand, plays more of a specialist role, with a particular focus on protecting information and data security.
How to become a CISO
Becoming a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is a significant career step requiring technical expertise, business acumen, and leadership skills, typically achieved through a combination of education, extensive experience, and relevant certifications.
Aspiring CISOs often start with a bachelor's degree in cyber-security, computer science, or a related IT field, followed by 7-10 years of progressive experience in IT security roles, such as cyber-security analyst, architect, or manager.
Obtaining advanced certifications like CISSP or CISM demonstrates expertise, while developing strong communication, strategic thinking, and team management abilities are crucial for leading security initiatives and aligning them with business objectives.
How to find a CISO
Finding the right leader to drive your business forward is a critical decision. At Robert Half, we specialise in executive search tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re a HR leader seeking a high-performing executive or a business owner looking for transformative leadership, our expertise in executive search ensures access to top-tier candidates in Australia and around the world. Find out more.
