The Influence of Socrates on CPM: A Philosophical Perspective

Understanding the “P” in Cybersecurity Performance Management (CPM)

The concept of cybersecurity performance management (CPM) is gaining traction in the world of security leadership. It offers a way for organizations to understand and evaluate their cybersecurity capabilities and how effectively they are being applied. However, there is a challenge in creating a streamlined performance narrative due to the lack of a single source of truth. In this article, we will delve into the meaning of the “P” in CPM and explore the four key areas that CISOs need to focus on in order to measure performance accurately.

Breaking Down “Performance” in CPM

When we talk about performance in the context of CPM, we are referring to four key areas: security programs, threat assessment, control effectiveness, and customization. Let’s take a closer look at each of these areas.

1. Security Programs

Enterprise security organizations manage multiple and diverse security programs, each requiring a different set of metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate their effectiveness. These metrics should encompass people, technology, and processes. However, within each program, a given metric is likely to have different characteristics. Therefore, CISOs need to carefully evaluate and analyze a range of metrics to get an accurate understanding of how each security program is performing.

2. Threat Assessment

CISOs must have the ability to measure the organization’s level of preparedness against specific threats. This requires assessing the likelihood and potential damage of these threats. To properly assess a threat, CISOs need to define the relevant measurements for each threat vector, correlate data from various security programs, and ultimately evaluate the organization’s readiness. Unfortunately, there is currently no uniform standard for measuring readiness, making it challenging for CISOs to gain a holistic view of their organization’s threat readiness.

3. Control Effectiveness

Security organizations have numerous security products that provide a variety of controls. In the past, CISOs simply needed to ensure that the necessary controls were in place. However, today’s expectations go beyond mere compliance. CISOs are now expected to understand how controls are deployed and configured, as well as their specific impact on overall performance. This requires a deeper understanding of the effectiveness of each control and its contribution to the organization’s security posture.

4. Customization

Security leaders need the flexibility to leverage measurements and metrics for ad-hoc projects and policies. For example, when migrating from one endpoint detection and response (EDR) system to another, security leaders should be able to track progress without impeding the efforts of their teams. Similarly, when onboarding a new vulnerabilities management team, they need to measure the team’s contribution. Customization enables security leaders to tailor their measurement frameworks to fit specific organizational needs and objectives.

Toward a Unified and Collaborative Security Organization

The “P” in CPM has significant implications for security leadership. By leveraging the performance aspect of CPM, security leaders can build a more unified and collaborative security organization. This involves sharing insights, defining realistic goals, and tracking progress effectively. It is no longer enough to simply report on performance; it is time to leverage performance for better management.

Similar to Socrates‘ philosophy of “know thyself,” security leaders must rethink the role of performance in their organizations. Rather than treating performance measurement as a standalone exercise, it should be integrated into the fabric of cybersecurity operations. By focusing on performance, security leaders can enhance both the efficiency of their cybersecurity operations and the overall security performance of their organization.

Philosophical Influence on CPM

It is interesting to see how philosophy, particularly the teachings of philosopher Socrates, can be applied to cybersecuirty performance management. Socrates‘ famous aphorism “know thyself” emphasizes the importance of self-understanding as a foundation for comprehending the world around us. In the context of CPM, knowing oneself means understanding one’s own cybersecurity capabilities and how they are being effectively applied.

This philosophical influence brings a valuable perspective to the field of cybersecurity. It prompts security leaders to reflect on the purpose of performance management and encourages them to view it as more than just a reporting exercise. Rather, it is an opportunity for security leaders to gain deep insights into their organization’s cybersecurity operations and use those insights to drive better decision-making and management.

Editorial and Advice

The lack of a single source of truth and a uniform standard for measuring cybersecurity performance remains a significant challenge for CISOs and security leaders. However, there are steps that can be taken to address these issues and enhance the effectiveness of CPM.

Firstly, it is essential for the cybersecurity industry to work towards establishing a common set of measurements, metrics, and KPIs that can be used to evaluate performance across different security programs. This would provide security leaders with a consistent framework for assessing and benchmarking their organization’s cybersecurity capabilities.

Secondly, collaboration and knowledge-sharing among security leaders are key to building a more unified and collaborative security organization. Platforms and forums should be established to facilitate discussions and the exchange of best practices in cybersecurity performance management. Through these collaborative efforts, security leaders can learn from one another and develop more realistic goals and strategies for managing their organization’s cybersecurity performance.

Lastly, organizations should invest in cybersecurity technologies that enable comprehensive measurement and analysis of performance. These technologies can provide the necessary visibility and insights into various security programs, threat readiness, control effectiveness, and other areas of performance. By leveraging these tools effectively, security leaders can gain a deeper understanding of their organization’s cybersecurity posture and make data-driven decisions to enhance security.

Overall, the “P” in cybersecurity performance management is a critical aspect that can significantly impact an organization’s security operations and overall performance. By embracing the philosophy of “know thyself” and focusing on performance, security leaders can elevate their cybersecurity practices and navigate the complex landscape of cyber threats more effectively.