To get the most out of this book

As everyone will have a different starting point, you may want to read ahead to specific chapters depending on what is relevant to the position you are in. My guidance is that you start off by reading the first few chapters and then jump ahead to any chapters that are most relevant to you.

You will certainly have questions that you want to try to resolve, so in anticipation of this, I have made a note of 100 questions in the Appendix that you may have that this book can help you to try to answer. As you are working your way through this book, you may find that you want to make note of some additional questions that you would like to be answered. It is also up to you whether you want to satisfy your curiosity and jump to a chapter that answers a specific question, and not necessarily read this book from front to back.

Again, that’s your choice, and your life and career are very much a journey of discovery. Each of us has to take this journey in a manner that works and makes sense.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself, numbered to correspond to the chapter in which they are answered:

1. Why do I need to build my own brand to be a CIO and CISO?
2. How do I develop my skills, knowledge, experience, and behavior to be a CIO or CISO?
3. How do I develop my career path to be a CIO and CISO?
4. How can I nail the interview for a CIO or CISO role?
5. How do I write my plan for the first 90 days as a CIO?
6. How do I write my plan for the first 90 days as a CISO?
7. How do moments of truth accelerate my growth?
8. How do I manage the stress that comes with the CIO and CISO roles?
9. What are the survival skills for a CIO and CISO?
10. How do I plan for my next CIO or CISO role?
11. Why should I consider Risk Management as a potential career path?
12. What do I plan to do in my retirement?

I’m sure that there will be many more questions that arise in your mind as you read this book. Indeed, I’m confident that you will encounter new questions to be addressed, and there are some areas where I won’t be able to provide you with guidance.

Enjoy the journey and see you on the other side as you rise into your new role!