The Rise of Industrial CISOs: Balancing Cybersecurity, Operations, and Resilience

As the lines between IT and OT (Operational Technology) environments continue to blur, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has expanded significantly. With increasing cybersecurity threats targeting critical infrastructure and regulators tightening their grip on industrial control systems (ICS), corporate CISOs now find themselves in a pivotal position to safeguard both the security and resilience of organizations. This has given rise to a new leadership role: the Industrial CISO.

The Evolving Role of CISOs in Industrial Sectors

CISOs have traditionally been seen as guardians of enterprise security, primarily focused on IT. However, the evolving threat landscape and the increasing convergence of IT and OT have necessitated a shift in this role. Today’s CISOs are no longer merely defenders of cyber perimeters. They must also integrate security into the operational model, ensuring that it boosts productivity rather than hindering it.

In a global study of 1,031 CISOs, 52% of them reported seeing themselves as facilitators of business initiatives, not just security enforcers. Many of these leaders indicate an increased tolerance for risk, balancing security with business goals to foster innovation and growth. As industries undergo digital transformations, 63% of CISOs expect to take on a more active role in driving business growth.

Challenges and Priorities for Industrial CISOs

The increasing adoption of technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has expanded the attack surface, introducing new vulnerabilities while offering opportunities for enhanced automation, predictive analytics, and operational efficiency. Industrial CISOs must strike a balance between securing these technologies and leveraging their business value.

In particular, industrial cybersecurity faces unique challenges:

• Uptime and operational efficiency: Ensuring cybersecurity does not disrupt industrial processes.
• ICS/OT-specific risks: The need to protect environments where safety and reliability are paramount.
• Regulatory compliance: Adapting to new and evolving regulations, such as NIS2 and ISO 27001, without compromising operational effectiveness.

Integrating IT and OT Security

A major shift in cybersecurity strategies has been the growing recognition that IT and OT security cannot operate in silos. As OT cyber threats gain media attention, executives and board members are increasingly holding CISOs accountable for securing OT environments.

Dawn Cappelli, Head of OT-Cyber Emergency Readiness at Dragos, emphasizes the importance of collaboration between IT and OT teams. Effective CISOs must use leadership skills to break down silos and work together on a unified cybersecurity strategy. Dean Parsons of ICS Defense Force agrees, noting that the best industrial CISOs have expertise in both IT and OT, as well as a deep understanding of engineering needs.

Strategies for Effective Industrial CISOs

To navigate the complexities of their role, industrial CISOs must:

1. Foster Collaboration: Build strong relationships between IT and OT teams to create a cohesive cybersecurity strategy.
2. Align Security with Operational Goals: Ensure that security measures do not disrupt operations but rather support uptime, safety, and reliability.
3. Leverage Emerging Technologies: Use AI and IoT for predictive threat detection and to enhance real-time data insights.
4. Prioritize Risk-Based Security: Develop and implement risk-based approaches that protect critical assets while maintaining operational continuity.

Skills and Attributes for Success

Successful industrial CISOs must have:

• Technical expertise in both IT and OT.
• Leadership skills to guide diverse teams and align security with broader business goals.
• Business acumen to communicate security as a business enabler rather than an obstacle.
• Continuous education: Keeping up with industry trends, certifications, and emerging technologies is critical.

Guillaume Celosia, OT CISO at Confidentiel, highlights the importance of understanding both cybersecurity and the unique constraints of industrial environments. Training in ICS-specific risk management and participating in industry groups help CISOs stay ahead of emerging threats.

Adapting to the Regulatory Landscape

With rising regulatory pressures, industrial CISOs must stay agile to comply with regulations like NIS2 and the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA). These regulations require not only compliance but also resilience, making cybersecurity a core element of organizational risk management.

Roger Hill of Hillstrong Group Security emphasizes that senior leadership alignment is crucial to integrating cybersecurity with operational objectives. Industrial CISOs must demonstrate that their cybersecurity initiatives directly contribute to business continuity, safety, and risk management.

Securing IoT and AI in Industrial Environments

Emerging technologies such as IoT and AI are reshaping industrial operations, but they also introduce new risks. Parsons advises industrial CISOs to carefully evaluate new technologies within the context of engineering goals, ensuring they do not introduce vulnerabilities into critical systems. Celosia also emphasizes the need for proactive security frameworks, such as zero-trust architectures, to securely integrate IoT and AI technologies.

Conclusion: Leading Towards a Resilient Future

The industrial CISO’s role has evolved dramatically, and these leaders are now responsible for balancing cybersecurity with operational needs in increasingly complex environments. By blending security expertise with business acumen, they are driving innovation and resilience while safeguarding critical infrastructure. Their ability to adapt to regulatory changes, leverage emerging technologies, and collaborate across departments will be key to protecting industrial organizations from evolving cyber threats.

In the digital-first era, the success of industrial operations will depend on how well CISOs can transform cybersecurity into a strategic advantage, ensuring that security enables rather than obstructs operational success.

 Critical Vulnerability in Wazuh Server Enables Remote Attackers to Execute Malicious Code

A critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability has been discovered in Wazuh Server, a widely-used open-source security platform for threat detection and compliance monitoring. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-24016, allows remote attackers with API access to execute arbitrary Python code on the server, presenting a significant risk to affected systems. With a CVSS score of 9.9, the vulnerability is classified as highly critical.

Vulnerability Overview

The flaw arises from unsafe deserialization in the Wazuh API’s DistributedAPI (DAPI) component. Specifically, the issue lies in how parameters serialized as JSON are deserialized by the function as_wazuh_object in the file framework/wazuh/core/cluster/common.py.

An attacker can exploit this flaw by injecting an unsanitized dictionary into DAPI requests or responses, enabling the execution of arbitrary code on the server. One notable attack vector involves manipulating the run_as endpoint, where the auth_context argument can be crafted to trigger malicious requests leading to arbitrary code execution on the master server.

Additionally, compromised Wazuh agents, in certain configurations, can exploit this vulnerability by injecting malicious payloads into API requests.

Affected Versions

• Vulnerable Versions: Wazuh Manager versions 4.4.0 through 4.9.0.
• Patched Version: The issue is fixed in version 4.9.1 and later.

Potential Impact

Exploiting this vulnerability can allow attackers to:

• Execute arbitrary Python code remotely on the Wazuh server.
• Take control of or shut down Wazuh servers.
• Compromise Wazuh agents and use them to propagate attacks within a cluster.

Such attacks could severely impact the system's integrity, availability, and confidentiality, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on Wazuh for threat monitoring and security.

Proof of Concept (PoC)

A publicly available PoC demonstrates how attackers can exploit this flaw by sending crafted JSON payloads via API requests. For example, a malicious request to the run_as endpoint can inject an unsanitized exception (__unhandled_exc__), which triggers the execution of arbitrary code.

Mitigation Steps

To protect against this vulnerability, organizations should:

1. Upgrade Immediately: Ensure the Wazuh Manager is updated to version 4.9.1 or later, where the issue has been patched.
2. Restrict API Access: Limit API access to trusted networks and enforce strong authentication measures to minimize the risk of unauthorized access.
3. Monitor Logs: Regularly monitor logs for suspicious activities, such as unusual API calls or unauthorized access attempts.
4. Harden Agent Configurations: Secure the configurations of Wazuh agents to prevent exploitation from compromised endpoints.

Organizations are strongly urged to implement these mitigation measures as soon as possible to reduce the risk of exploitation and protect their infrastructure from attackers leveraging CVE-2025-24016.

Conclusion

This vulnerability presents a serious security risk for Wazuh users. Organizations must act quickly to update their systems, limit API exposure, and strengthen security practices to avoid potential exploitation. Prompt action will help safeguard against the significant threats posed by this critical vulnerability.

 The Case for More Women in Cybersecurity: Strengthening the Industry With Diverse Talent

As the cybersecurity landscape rapidly evolves, the demand for diverse perspectives is growing. By 2031, women are expected to hold 35% of cybersecurity jobs globally, up from just 10% in 2013. While this is a promising trend, progress isn't only about numbers—it's about the significant impact women can make in strengthening security strategies, enhancing problem-solving capabilities, and fostering innovation in an industry that thrives on adaptability and fresh thinking.

Expanding the cybersecurity talent pool to include more women is a strategic advantage. A broader range of experiences leads to more effective security solutions, considering the real-world challenges that users face. Women bring unique skills—such as analytical thinking, risk assessment, and communication—that are crucial for roles ranging from threat analysis to security awareness training and policy development. When cybersecurity better reflects the diversity of its users, security outcomes improve for everyone.

The Value Women Bring to Cybersecurity

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, which means cybersecurity approaches need to evolve as well. Women’s perspectives offer practical, user-centered insights into security design, helping bridge the gap between technical solutions and real-world usability. After all, security measures are only effective if they are adopted by users, and women’s ability to design intuitive, accessible security tools ensures better compliance and adoption.

Additionally, risk management is central to cybersecurity, and women already engage in risk assessment in many aspects of their daily lives—whether in financial decisions, personal safety, or professional problem-solving. This skill translates naturally into cybersecurity, where women are well-equipped to assess threats, develop mitigation strategies, and enhance digital resilience.

Beyond technical expertise, women are pivotal in fostering trust and awareness around cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is not only about stopping attacks—it’s about empowering people to take control of their own digital safety. Women play a crucial role in policy development, public education, and direct engagement, making cybersecurity more approachable and actionable for everyone.

Breaking Barriers and Building Careers

Cybersecurity may seem daunting or exclusive, but at its core, it’s about protecting information and managing risks. Women entering the field don’t need to be overwhelmed by technical jargon—they can start by focusing on the fundamentals, such as:

• Networking basics
• Operating system fundamentals
• Information security principles
• Problem-solving and analysis
• Generative AI and security tools
• Documentation and communication

For many women, the path into cybersecurity isn’t traditional. My own journey began in regulatory compliance, where I quickly recognized that security was essential to protecting both organizations and individuals. I transitioned into cybersecurity by focusing on risk management, governance, and compliance—areas that closely intersect with technical security measures. Through continuous learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience, I advanced into a leadership role in cybersecurity compliance. This is just one example of how women from diverse professional backgrounds can enter cybersecurity, bringing unique insights and strengths that enhance the field.

The cybersecurity community thrives on collaboration, and women supporting other women through mentorship and professional networks accelerates career growth and fosters an inclusive environment where talent, not gender, defines success.

Looking Ahead: A Stronger Industry With More Women at the Table

Cybersecurity is not just a career—it's a mission to protect the digital world. As more women step into the field, they bring fresh perspectives that strengthen the industry, making it more adaptable and resilient. Encouraging diverse talent isn't only about representation; it's about leveraging different strengths to build a safer, more secure future.

Organizations have a critical role in creating environments where women can thrive. This includes cultivating inclusive hiring practices, offering mentorship opportunities, and ensuring that leadership pathways are accessible to all. By doing so, companies don’t just strengthen their workforce—they also foster innovation in a field that depends on fresh, strategic thinking.

For women considering a career in cybersecurity: You belong here. Your skills, insights, and experiences matter. The industry is evolving, and with every new voice, it becomes stronger, more inclusive, and better equipped to tackle tomorrow's security challenges.

Cybersecurity Market to Soar: $423.8Bn Expected by 2033 | Persistence Market Research

Press Release from: Persistence Market Research

Cybersecurity Market to Soar: $423.8Bn Expected by 2033

Introduction: The Rising Tide of Cybersecurity Threats

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity has become a fundamental pillar for global businesses and national security. As cyber threats become more sophisticated and widespread, organizations worldwide are increasingly investing in robust cybersecurity solutions. The cybersecurity market, valued at $217.9 billion in 2023, is set to surge to $423.8 billion by 2033, reflecting a remarkable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% during the forecast period. This article explores the key trends, driving factors, and regional insights shaping this lucrative industry.

The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity in the Digital Age

With the accelerated adoption of cloud computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), organizations are exposed to heightened cyber risks. The rising frequency of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and phishing has significantly increased the demand for advanced cybersecurity measures. As a result, industries such as healthcare and finance are prioritizing cybersecurity to protect sensitive data and maintain customer trust.

Key Market Drivers Fueling Growth

Several factors are fueling the rapid expansion of the cybersecurity market:

• Rising Cyber Threats: Cybercriminals are adopting increasingly sophisticated tactics, leading to stronger demand for enhanced security measures.
• Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Governments and regulatory bodies are enforcing stricter data protection laws, pushing organizations to invest in compliance-focused cybersecurity solutions.
• Increased Adoption of Cloud and IoT: The rise of cloud-based services and IoT devices has expanded the attack surface, necessitating robust cybersecurity frameworks.
• Growth of Remote Work: The shift to hybrid and remote work models has escalated cyber risk, driving increased investment in endpoint and network security.
• Advancements in AI and Machine Learning: AI-driven cybersecurity solutions provide enhanced threat detection and response capabilities, making them a top choice for enterprises.

Segmentation: Breaking Down the Cybersecurity Landscape

The cybersecurity market is categorized based on several key factors:

• By Component: Solutions (e.g., antivirus, firewalls, encryption) and services (e.g., managed security services, professional consulting)
• By Deployment: Cloud-based and on-premises solutions
• By Enterprise Size: Small & medium enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises
• By Industry Vertical: BFSI, healthcare, government, IT & telecom, retail, manufacturing, and others

Regional Insights: Leading Markets Driving Cybersecurity Investments

• North America: The largest market, driven by stringent regulatory frameworks and high cybersecurity spending by businesses and government agencies.
• Europe: Experiencing strong growth due to the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and heightened awareness of cyber threats.
• Asia-Pacific: Projected to be the fastest-growing region, driven by rapid digitalization, escalating cyberattacks, and government-led cybersecurity initiatives.
• Middle East & Africa: Increasing investments in cybersecurity due to rising concerns over data protection and national security.

Emerging Technologies Reshaping Cybersecurity

Several cutting-edge technologies are reshaping the cybersecurity landscape:

• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA): A security model based on the principle of "never trust, always verify," strengthening access control measures.
• Extended Detection and Response (XDR): A unified threat detection and response platform that enhances cybersecurity defenses.
• Blockchain for Security: Utilizing blockchain technology to secure transactions and prevent data tampering.
• Quantum Cryptography: Offering ultra-secure encryption methods that could revolutionize data protection.

Challenges and Restraints in the Cybersecurity Market

Despite its rapid growth, the cybersecurity industry faces several challenges:

• Shortage of Skilled Cybersecurity Professionals: The demand for cybersecurity experts far exceeds the available talent pool, resulting in a significant skills gap.
• High Implementation Costs: Smaller businesses often struggle with the high costs associated with deploying advanced security solutions.
• Evolving Threat Landscape: The ever-changing tactics of cybercriminals make it difficult for organizations to stay ahead of new threats.

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead?

The future of cybersecurity is poised for significant growth as businesses continue to prioritize digital security. Increased investments in AI-driven threat intelligence, regulatory compliance solutions, and next-generation security technologies will continue to drive market expansion. Companies must adopt proactive cybersecurity strategies to safeguard their digital assets in an increasingly complex and hostile cyber environment.

Conclusion: A Billion-Dollar Opportunity

The cybersecurity market is on track to witness unprecedented growth, reaching $423.8 billion by 2033. As cyber threats evolve, organizations must remain vigilant and adopt cutting-edge security solutions to protect their critical digital assets. The continuous advancements in cybersecurity technologies present vast opportunities for growth, innovation, and resilience in the digital age.

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This press release outlines the growing cybersecurity market, its drivers, challenges, and technological advancements. It also highlights regional dynamics and future prospects for the industry.