Soft skills of the chief security information officer

Authors Jeroen M.J. van Yperen Hagendoorn , Richard Smit , Patric Versteeg , Pascal Ravesteijn
Published in 34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change: June 27 – 30, 2021, Online Conference Proceedings
Publication date 27 June 2021
Research groups Process Innovation and Information Systems
Type Lecture

Summary

This study addresses the role of a Dutch chief information security officer (CISO) and the soft skills required in this leadership role. The overview of soft skills is the outcome of the CISO perspectives in a Delphi study combined with an analysis of soft skills mentioned in job ads. A comparison with an earlier US-based study revealed that soft skills are ranked differently by Dutch CISOs. Moreover, we found that soft skills are not clearly described in job ads – none of these ads had explicitly listed soft skills. The present study demonstrates that CISOs with soft skills are in demand. The development of soft skills starts at a young age through various social activities and is also the result of self-actuation. The practical implications of this study are that it offers insights into the soft skills required for the role and discusses best-fitting leadership styles and ways in which organisations should include soft skills in recruitment.

On this publication contributed

  • Pascal Ravesteijn | Professor | Process innovation and information systems
    Pascal Ravesteijn
    • Professor
    • Research group: Process Innovation and Information Systems

Language English
Published in 34th Bled eConference Digital Support from Crisis to Progressive Change: June 27 – 30, 2021, Online Conference Proceedings
ISBN/ISSN URN:ISBN:978-961-286-385-9
Key words CISO, soft skills, leadership, self actuation, job ads, recruitment, business need
Digital Object Identifier https://doi.org/10.18690/978-961-286-485-9

Process Innovation and Information Systems