In this episode of Life of a CISO, Dr. Eric Cole dives deep into the crucial mindset shift needed to transition from a technical security engineer to a strategic Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). He emphasizes the importance of clarity in your career goals, stressing that simply wanting to be a CISO isn't enough—you need to define what that means in detail. Dr. Cole uses vivid analogies and real-life stories to illustrate how vague goals can lead to unsatisfactory outcomes. The universe, he argues, delivers what you ask for, but if you're not specific, you might end up with something far from your true desires.

Dr. Cole also underscores the importance of crafting a CISO-ready CV that screams strategy and leadership rather than technical prowess. He advises against listing technical tasks or past roles as a security engineer on your CV, as this can lead to being excluded from consideration. Instead, focus on strategic business outcomes, revenue growth, and executive-level communication. To test the effectiveness of your CV, Dr. Cole suggests applying to a wide range of CISO roles and analyzing your hit rate. This episode is packed with actionable advice on how to present yourself as a world-class CISO, both on paper and in interviews, ensuring you're prepared to step into the role with confidence.