Establishing a New Standard for Cybersecurity Professionals Worldwide: Addressing Trust, Standards, and Risk for the CISO Role | CISO Circuit Series with Heather Hinton | Michael Piacente and Sean Martin | Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast

About the CISO Circuit Series Sean Martin and Michael Piacente join forces roughly once per month (or so, depending on schedules) to discuss everything from looking for a new job, entering the field, finding the right work/life balance, examining the risks and rewards in the role, building and supporting your team, the value of the community, relevant newsworthy items, and so much more. Join us to help us understand the role of the CISO so that we can collectively find a path to Redefining CyberSecurity for business and society. If you have a topic idea or a comment on an episode, feel free to contact Sean Martin.

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Guests:

Heather Hinton, CISO-in-Residence, Professional Association of CISOs

On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-hinton-9731911/

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Host: Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber]

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/sean-martin

Michael Piacente, Managing Partner and Cofounder of Hitch Partners

On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/michael-piacente

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This Episode’s Sponsors

Imperva | https://itspm.ag/imperva277117988

LevelBlue | https://itspm.ag/levelblue266f6c

ThreatLocker | https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974

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Episode Notes

In this episode of the CISO Circuit Series, part of the Redefining Cybersecurity Podcast on ITSPmagazine, hosts Sean Martin and Michael Piacente welcomed Heather Hinton, seasoned cybersecurity leader, to discuss the evolving responsibilities and recognition of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Their conversation explored the transformative work of the Professional Association of CISOs (PAC), an organization dedicated to establishing standards, accreditation, and support for cybersecurity leaders globally.

This episode addressed three critical questions shaping the modern CISO role:

1. How can CISOs build trust within their organizations? 2. What is PAC doing to elevate cybersecurity as a recognized profession? 3. How can CISOs prepare for increasing scrutiny and legal risks? Building Trust: A CISO’s Key Responsibility Heather Hinton, whose career includes leadership roles like VP and CISO for IBM Cloud and PagerDuty, underscores that trust is foundational for a CISO’s success. Beyond technical expertise, a CISO must demonstrate leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication with boards, executives, and teams. Hinton highlights that cybersecurity should not be perceived as merely a technical function but as a critical enabler of business objectives.

The PAC accreditation process reinforces this perspective by formalizing the skills needed to build trust. From fostering collaboration to aligning security strategies with organizational goals, PAC equips CISOs with tools to establish credibility and demonstrate value from day one. Elevating Cybersecurity as a Recognized Profession Michael Piacente, Managing Partner at Hitch Partners and co-host of the CISO Circuit Series, emphasizes PAC’s role in professionalizing cybersecurity. By introducing a Code of Professional Conduct, structured accreditation programs, and robust career development resources, PAC is raising the bar for the profession. Hinton and Piacente explain that PAC’s ultimate vision is to make membership and accreditation standard for CISO roles, akin to certifications we've come to expect and rely upon for doctors or lawyers.

This vision reflects a growing recognition of cybersecurity as a discipline critical not only to organizations but to society as a whole. PAC’s advocacy extends to shaping global policies, setting professional standards, and fostering an environment where CISOs are equipped to handle emerging challenges like hybrid warfare and AI-driven threats. Preparing for Legal Risks and Industry Challenges The conversation also delves into the increasing legal and regulatory scrutiny CISOs face. Piacente and Hinton stress the importance of having clear job descriptions, liability protections, and professional resources—areas where PAC is driving significant progress. By providing legal and mental health support, along with peer-driven mentorship, PAC empowers CISOs to navigate these challenges with confidence.

Hinton notes that PAC is also a critical voice in addressing broader systemic risks, advocating for policies that protect CISOs while ensuring they are well-positioned to protect their organizations and society. Looking Ahead With goals to expand its membership to 1,000 and scale its accreditation programs by 2025, PAC is setting the foundation for a more unified and professionalized cybersecurity community. Hinton envisions PAC becoming a global authority, advising governments and organizations on cybersecurity standards and policies while fostering collaboration among professionals.

For those aspiring to advance cybersecurity as a recognized profession, PAC offers a platform to shape the future of the field. Learn more about PAC and how to join at TheCISO.org.

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