Back to Blog

Staffing Questions

By Finosec

April 21, 2022

Get notified on new insights from Finosec now!

Be the first to know about new Finosec blogs to grow your knowledge of the cybersecurity governance industry today!

In a technology driven industry, it is easy to assume that most of the decisions made around your cybersecurity posture are related to tools and software. While that may be the case a majority of the time, FINOSEC President and CEO Zach Duke also raises some questions and awareness around the impact of staffing on your cybersecurity and information security environment. In the video below, Zach poses questions around ISO independence, support infrastructure, and how to navigate staffing limitations. Watch the video and come back after the break for further discussion.

Zach offered three critical questions that those in executive leadership can ask about their staff as it relates to cybersecurity and information security. 

  1. The regulatory expectation is that the Information Security Officer (ISO) should be separate from IT, so the question is: does the ISO have independence in that role? Can they add administrative accounts or make changes to systems? If so, a critical follow-up question is whether or not you are okay with that business risk and the associated regulatory risk? Being aware of these elements is vital.
  2. Local community banks often see staff wearing multiple hats, and the ISO is not always an exception. The question here is one of support infrastructure: What is the expertise of your staff, how were they trained, and what tools and software are in place to guide and help them? Identifying these components can help you support both new and existing staff.
  3. Based on the previous two questions, Zach poses a third: what are the staff unable to work on? If your team is unable to implement technologies and initiatives, it is worth examining question 3 in light of the first two questions. That is, if there is something your team is unable to do based on the regulatory criteria of ISO independence or lack of support infrastructure, how can that realistically be addressed? 

If you would like to continue this conversation around these questions, we invite you to join us at FINOSEC Academy. We hope to see you there!

More from Finosec

The Best Defense Against Ransomware

The Best Defense Against Ransomware

Beth Sumner, our VP of Customer Success, recently had the opportunity to discuss ransomware attacks and the importance of community bankers staying vigilant against these crimes in Independent Banker.  While the number of ransomware attacks continues to increase, so do the sums demanded by the attackers.

Succession Planning: Essential for Sustaining Information Security

Succession Planning: Essential for Sustaining Information Security

In today’s world where cyber threats evolve rapidly, the challenge of replacing an Information Security Officer (ISO) underscores a critical issue: the cybersecurity job market is scorching, yet talent is scarce. This gap has turned recruitment into a high-stakes game for financial institutions, where the departure of an ISO exposes vulnerabilities and regulatory risks. With remote work expanding the competition for skilled professionals, the importance of strategic succession planning has never been more acute, ensuring that institutions remain fortified even in the face of staffing changes.

Partnering for Peace of Mind and Effective Oversight

Partnering for Peace of Mind and Effective Oversight

Pendleton Community Bank, a $700 Million Dollar Bank with 133 Employees in Franklin, WV, led by CEO Bill Loving, faced a critical challenge when their Information Security Officer departed, leaving a significant void in their oversight capabilities. Their goal was clear: establish an effective process for information security governance and cybersecurity oversight to ensure compliance and peace of mind.

Talk To An Expert Now
Talk To An Expert Now 770.268.2765