February 2026
As digital transformation accelerates and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, the role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is more critical – and complex – than ever before. Today’s CISOs are not only responsible for protecting their organizations, but also for enabling business growth, building resilient teams, and navigating the rapid adoption of technologies like AI. Within Gartner CISO Communities, thousands of senior security leaders connect year-round to share insights, benchmark strategies, and tackle these critical issues with one another.
At the recent Gartner Global CISO Community Executive Summit, CISOs from leading organizations shared their perspectives on the #1 thing they believe security leaders should focus on in the months ahead. From business partnership and talent development to AI and incident response, here’s what’s top of mind for six CISOs:
Securing a Seat at the Table as a Strategic Business Leader
As digital risk becomes a core business concern, CISOs are stepping beyond technical expertise and establishing themselves as influential business leaders. Understanding organizational priorities and driving secure outcomes are now essential to maximizing impact and enabling greater business success.
The number one thing CISOs should be focused on today is really around being a valued business leader. The CISO role is still nascent in the C-suite, so establish yourself as a business leader that understands the priorities and outcomes of what your organization is trying to accomplish. Think about how your position is to deliver those outcomes in a secure way and reduce risks so the company can achieve greater outcomes.
– Deneen DeFiore
VP & CISO at United Airlines
Navigating the AI Era
AI is reshaping the threat landscape and accelerating the pace of change, making resilience and agility critical for security teams. CISOs are not only working to better understand AI’s business implications but also strengthen incident response strategies to keep pace with evolving risks and ensure their organizations are prepared for what’s next.
The number one thing CISOs should be focused on right now is AI and what that's going to mean now, down the road, and how that becomes part of our everyday lives and security programs. The other thing that sits alongside AI is that we have to know our businesses. Security is not the technical discipline it once was; it is not about being the stop sign for an organization. It's about allowing the organization to accomplish everything it's trying to in terms of its strategy, outcomes, and goals, and we have to be able to move fast and evolve our security leadership style.
– Chris Lugo
VP, CISO at Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
The number one topic to focus on is the buzzword – AI. AI will drive the business as other technology changes did, but this time, the main difference is we won't have as much time to adapt as before. This is definitely pushing us to share our experiences with peers, and these conferences are a good way to speed up making the right decisions.
– Marcus Setina
CISO, Ingenico
I hate the go-to, two-letter response [AI] all of us are talking about. But, what I come back to is how prepared we are for it and how much planning we've done to be resilient. When we talk about AI, it accelerates and sophisticates a lot of the existing threats. So my advice is to go find out how you can improve incident response processes and planning and look at the attack chain. What do you have in place in terms of people, processes, and tools to respond more quickly?
– Dan Bowden
Global CISO, Marsh
Investing in Front Line Talent
In the face of relentless threats and rapid transformation, CISOs recognize that their people are their greatest asset.
The number one thing that CISOs should be focused on today is their teams. There's so much going on with threat actor groups and trying to be a great business partner, but we can't forget who makes it all happen – our teams. We have to remember that in all the chaos that we show appreciation and we continue to motivate and inspire those who are the true boots on the ground, the ones who are truly protecting the companies.
– Trina Ford
SVP, CISO at iHeartMedia
It's all about talent. Do you have the right people? Do they have the right curiosity? Are they out in the community learning and understanding what these changes are in the market? As we are confronting artificial intelligence, you have to have strong people to detect and respond in the moments that matter. So for me, it's all about investing in your people and having a strong talent base to help you in those moments.
– Mike Villis
CISO at World Kinect
The priorities shared by these CISOs underscore the complexity of today’s threat landscape and the expanding scope of their responsibilities. Connecting with peers in Gartner CISO Communities offers a valuable opportunity to share experiences, gain new perspectives, and make faster, more informed decisions in an environment that is constantly evolving.
If you’re ready to broaden your network, exchange actionable strategies, and stay ahead of emerging risks, join your local Gartner CISO Community. Already a member? Sign in to find your next community gathering.
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