Hey everyone, Jorge here. I just came across an interesting article about the future of Chief Information Security Officers CISOs and what skills they’ll need to succeed by 2026....
Hey everyone, Jorge here. I just came across an interesting article about the future of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and what skills they’ll need to succeed by 2026. It’s fascinating how much the role has evolved from being purely technical to now requiring a blend of business savvy and soft skills. Let me break down what caught my attention and why I think it matters.
From Tech Experts to Business Strategists
Back in the day, CISOs were all about firewalls, encryption, and patching vulnerabilities. But today, they’re expected to be strategic thinkers who understand the broader business landscape. Steve Katz, the first CISO ever, back in the 90s, figured out early on that security isn’t just a tech problem—it’s a business risk issue. That makes sense because if you don’t align security with business goals, you’re not really securing anything of value.
Fast forward to 2026, and it’s clear that CISOs need to be more than just technical gatekeepers. They have to influence strategy, secure investments, and drive transformation. It’s a big shift from just protecting the perimeter. But here’s the thing: can one person realistically handle all these responsibilities? I’m not so sure.
The Rise of AI and Cloud Security
The article points out that skills related to cloud security and AI are becoming essential for CISOs. With more companies moving to the cloud, understanding cloud-native infrastructure is crucial. And with AI-generated attacks on the rise, CISOs need to stay ahead of these emerging threats.
But let’s be real—AI is still a Wild West of sorts. It’s powerful, but it’s also unpredictable and often misunderstood. How many CISOs really have a deep understanding of machine learning or natural language processing? I’m guessing not many. And that’s where the rubber meets the road. If CISOs are expected to navigate this complex landscape without getting lost in the weeds, they’ll need more than just surface-level knowledge.
Understanding the Bigger Picture
One thing that resonated with me is the importance of understanding the business context and the wider world. CISOs who can spot emerging threats and align security with business goals are better equipped to build resilience and support growth. This makes sense because security shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be baked into every decision.
But here’s where I get a little skeptical. How many CISOs have the bandwidth to cultivate this kind of strategic insight? In reality, most CISOs are already stretched thin just keeping up with compliance and incident response. Adding geopolitical tensions and tight budgets to the mix sounds like a recipe for burnout.
Shaping Culture and Influencing Strategy
The article also emphasizes the need for CISOs to shape and influence culture within their organizations. This means framing security as a driver of value, not just a cost center. It’s a tall order, but it’s necessary if security is going to be taken seriously at the executive level.
So, what does this mean for developers and users? For developers, it means building security into every phase of the development lifecycle—not just as an afterthought. For users, it means being more aware of phishing attempts, using strong passwords, and understanding how their actions impact the overall security posture of the organization.
My Take: Is This Expectation Realistic?
Here’s where I land: while the idea of a CISO who’s equally adept at business strategy, AI, and cultural transformation sounds great on paper, it’s a lot to ask of one person. The reality is that most CISOs are still trying to get their heads around cloud security, let alone AI-driven threats.
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for this ideal—it just means we need to be realistic about what’s possible. Maybe instead of expecting every CISO to be a Renaissance leader, we should focus on building strong teams that can cover these bases collectively.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the role of the CISO is evolving fast, and by 2026, it’ll look very different from what it was just a few years ago. While I’m excited about the potential for security to become a true enabler of growth, I’m also cautious about the expectations we’re placing on these leaders. Let’s hope that as we move forward, we prioritize practicality over perfection and build teams that can rise to the challenge.
Read the full article at https://mangrv.com/2026/01/28/skills-cisos-need-to-master-in-2026.