Chief Information Security Officers

This is not an entry-level position. Employers typically require candidates for CISO positions to have at least five years—but ideally 10 years—of experience in lower-level cybersecurity positions such as cybersecurity analyst, risk analyst, or information security analyst.

To be successful in the field, cybersecurity professionals need a broad range of soft skills. Here were the most in-demand soft skills according to a survey of cybersecurity professionals by ISC2 for its Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 2022:

• Strong problem-solving skills: 44 percent of respondents cited this skill
• Strong strategic-thinking skills: 27 percent

Chief information security officers also need excellent leadership and project management ability; strong powers of persuasion and inspiration; top-notch organizational skills; an analytical, detail-oriented personality; strong ethics; and creativity.