A Cybersecurity Leader’s Journey: Speaking the Language of the Board

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, the role of a cybersecurity leader goes beyond technical expertise. Communicating cybersecurity risks and initiatives to executives and boards demands a unique blend of strategic insight and business language. A Cybersecurity Leader’s Journey: Speaking the Language of the Board takes readers on a transformative path from technical talk to business-savvy communication.

Follow Nick, a newly appointed CISO, as he navigates the challenges of bridging the gap between complex cybersecurity concepts and the business-focused concerns of board members. Struggling to convey the impact of cybersecurity initiatives, Nick quickly realizes that his technical knowledge alone isn’t enough to gain the board’s trust. With guidance from a mentor, he learns how to address the board’s priorities, answer the critical question of ＂What’s in it for me?＂, and deliver insights that resonate.

This book offers more than just a narrative--it provides actionable takeaways for cybersecurity leaders and other professionals who want to master the art of strategic communication. Readers will discover how to close information asymmetry gaps, manage the affect heuristic, and develop a communication style that builds trust and fosters informed decision-making.

Whether you’re a CISO, an aspiring CISO, or a technical expert aiming to improve your business communication, A Cybersecurity Leader’s Journey equips you with the skills to make cybersecurity not just a necessity but a valued component of business success as well. Step into Nick’s journey, gain insights from his challenges, and learn how to become the trusted advisor your board needs.

Edward Marchewka, DBA, MBA, MS, CISSP, CDPSE, PMP, CMQ/OE, LSSMBB

Dr. Edward Marchewka is an industry-recognized executive, having been the 2022 CIO of the Year Finalist and 2015 CISO of the Year nominee, with more than two decades of experience in IT and information security. His background includes experiences from running his own computer support business to field service to Fortune 250 experience with Thermo Fisher Scientific. He ran information security for Chicago Public Schools, the 3rd largest school district in the country. His career started in the US Navy as an Electrician’s Mate - Nuclear.

Dr. Marchewka is active in the IT and information security community, having served the Chicago Infragard Members Alliance for over nine years. He has presented at dozens of events, including Camp IT Conferences, (ISC)2 Security Congress, ISACA, Secureworld, and Gartner’s Security and Risk Management Summit. He is an advisor for Colorado Technical University College of Security Studies and Prairie State Community College’s IT Program.

Dr. Marchewka holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from California Southern University and MBA and MS in Mathematics from Northern Illinois University. He earned a BA in Liberal Studies and a BS in Nuclear Engineering Technologies from Thomas Edison State College, NJ. He holds certificates in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a certificate in Contract Management from the University of California-Irvine. Dr. Marchewka maintains several active IT, security, and professional certifications from (ISC)2, ASQ, ITIL, PMI, ISACA, SSGI, Microsoft, and CompTIA.