IBM says chief security officers becoming more strategic

The role of chief information security officers has risen in status as high-profile hacking and data breaches have highlighted the central importance of security to the modern organisation.

CISO's roles have become more strategic, shifting towards intelligence and risk-management as they are increasingly expected to anticipate potential problems and mitigate the risks they may pose before they strike.

These are some of the key highlights of a survey of 130 CISOs across the world, conducted by computer giant IBM. The company suggests that a combination of high-profile computer security breaches and the recognition of the importance of security to mobile commerce is responsible for the elevated responsibility that CISOs are starting to enjoy today.