In a world where cybercrime has increased, boards with a mission face many challenges in achieving their goals. Effective communication and strong relationships 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 pressure to improve communication with board members due to the growing focus on cybersecurity as well as the regulatory demands, must improve their communication. Unfortunately, despite best efforts many governance professionals struggle to keep board communications secure and organized. This is why it’s not uncommon for sensitive internal governance communications to be sent through unsecure channels for communicationlike personal emails — which puts organizations at risk of data breaches and regulatory penalties.
It is vital that CISOs take steps to implement solutions for board management that permit private and group communications, and collaboration. This includes implementing board portal software that is easy-to-use and mobile-friendly. Video conferencing tools are necessary to ensure reliable and secure virtual meetings. Instant messaging platforms and document collaboration tools are crucial for creating efficient and productive interactions between board members.
In addition, CISOs should report to the board using business-like language and terms to ensure they communicate the relevance of cybersecurity issues to the bottom line of the business. For instance, instead saying that there is a significant risk of a cyber-attack, say that it could cost the company X dollars. This puts the issue in perspective and creates an effective conversation about the best way to proceed.