10 Questions Every CISO Should Be Able to Answer About Their Organization’s Cybersecurity Program

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) are at the frontline of enterprise cybersecurity, balancing technical know-how, business strategy, and regulatory compliance. So these security leaders, being unprepared to answer key questions about your organization’s security posture can spell disaster. Whether the inquiry comes from a board member, a regulator, or a concerned customer, CISOs need to have rock-solid responses. Below are the top 10 cybersecurity questions every CISO should be able to answer — and why each one matters.

1. What is our most valuable data, and how are we protecting it?

Every organization has sensitive data—whether it’s intellectual property, customer information, or financial data. CISOs must understand what data, if compromised, would cause the most harm to the business. This includes knowing where the data is stored, who has access, and the security measures in place to protect it, such as encryption and access controls.

2. What is our cybersecurity strategy, and how does it align with business objectives?

Gone are the days when security was an IT-only issue. CISOs must articulate how their cybersecurity strategy aligns with overall business goals. As far as cybersecurity questions go, it’s critical that CISO be able to answer: are there security initiatives that support business growth? How do security investments reduce risk to mission-critical operations? A solid answer demonstrates the CISO’s ability to position security as a business enabler, not just a cost center.

3. How do we manage third-party risks?

Third-party vendors and partners are often the weakest links in an organization’s security chain. A CISO should be able to detail the process for vetting vendors, monitoring compliance, and mitigating risks from third-party relationships. Key considerations include whether vendors comply with relevant standards (like SOC 2 or ISO 27001) and whether their access is controlled through solutions such as Zero Trust and network segmentation.

4. How do we ensure continuous compliance with evolving regulations?

The regulatory landscape is increasingly complex, with rules such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA demanding strict adherence. A CISO needs to be on top of current and emerging regulations and should be able to answer how the organization remains compliant while keeping operations efficient. This includes automating compliance processes and preparing for audits.

5. What are our biggest cybersecurity risks today, and what’s the plan to mitigate them?

No organization is immune to risk, but CISOs should know what specific threats pose the greatest risk to their environment—whether it’s ransomware, insider threats, or supply chain attacks. They should also be able to outline the mitigation strategies in place, such as endpoint protection, NAC solutions, and employee awareness training programs.

6. What’s the incident response plan, and when was it last tested?

Every CISO needs a well-rehearsed incident response plan (IRP) to contain and recover from a cyberattack. It’s not enough to have a plan in place; it must be regularly tested and updated to reflect new threats and vulnerabilities. CISOs should be able to answer questions about the IRP’s effectiveness, who participates in incident response exercises, and how quickly operations can resume after an incident.

7. How do we protect remote workers and hybrid environments?

With the rise of remote and hybrid work, securing endpoints outside the traditional network perimeter has become critical. A CISO should explain the measures in place to protect remote workers, such as network access control (NAC), endpoint detection and response (EDR), passwordless authentication, and Zero Trust policies.

8. What’s our approach to managing insider threats?

Insider threats—whether malicious or accidental—pose a significant risk to any organization. CISOs must demonstrate that they have tools and processes to monitor suspicious behavior and detect anomalies. This includes knowing how the organization identifies high-risk insiders, limits access to sensitive data, and enforces security policies consistently.

9. How do we keep employees engaged in cybersecurity awareness?

Cybersecurity isn’t just the responsibility of the IT team; it’s a shared responsibility across the organization. A CISO needs to discuss how they build a culture of security awareness, what training programs are in place, and how they measure the effectiveness of these efforts. This also includes addressing phishing simulations, gamified training, and reward programs to reinforce positive behavior.

10. What metrics do we use to measure the effectiveness of our cybersecurity program?

CISOs must be able to back their strategies and claims with data. What key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics are used to measure success? These might include time to detect and respond to threats, the number of incidents contained, compliance scores, and audit results. Clear metrics help justify security investments and demonstrate the value of the program to stakeholders.

Accountability for these Cybersecurity Questions

Being a CISO is no small task. These 10 cybersecurity questions are just the starting point, but they cover the fundamental aspects of an organization’s cybersecurity posture—from strategy and risk management to compliance and incident response. CISOs who can confidently answer these questions demonstrate not only a mastery of their cybersecurity program but also a deep understanding of how security supports the broader business. In today’s threat landscape, preparation is everything—and that starts with knowing the right questions to ask and answer.