Source: Help Net Security
Author: Mirko Zorz
URL: https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2025/03/04/ciso-vs-cio/
## ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY:
CISOs and CIOs often have conflicting priorities, but strategic collaboration enhances security, IT efficiency, and overall business resilience.
## MAIN POINTS:
1. CIOs prioritize IT efficiency and innovation, while CISOs focus on security, risk management, and compliance.
2. Differing goals, budget constraints, and reporting structures often create friction between the two roles.
3. Security requirements can slow down IT projects, creating conflicts between agility and risk management.
4. A lack of shared language between IT and security teams leads to misunderstandings.
5. Strong CIO-CISO collaboration increases budget efficiency, streamlines processes, and improves stakeholder confidence.
6. Joint key performance indicators (KPIs) help align IT and security objectives.
7. Organizations increasingly favor CISOs reporting to the CEO or Board for independent security oversight.
8. Security-by-design principles prevent security from becoming a last-minute roadblock in IT projects.
9. Risk-based security frameworks allow for faster, secure technology adoption without unnecessary restrictions.
10. A unified IT-security budget approach strengthens the case for security investments as a business enabler.
## TAKEAWAYS:
1. Aligning IT and security goals fosters a resilient, innovative, and secure organization.
2. Early CISO involvement in IT projects reduces friction and costly disruptions.
3. Integrated reporting structures and collaboration tools improve communication and decision-making.
4. Risk-based security approaches support business agility while maintaining strong protections.
5. Presenting IT and security investments as a unified strategy enhances leadership buy-in and funding.