The AI era has accelerated the need for CISOs to function as key risk management players across the business. Here’s how to step up.

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CISOs are increasingly expected to function as enterprise risk strategists, not just cybersecurity leaders. The AI era has accelerated this shift, as AI integrates directly into business processes rather than merely enabling them, making cyber and business risk nearly synonymous. Research shows 96% of CISOs are now responsible for AI governance and risk management, and GRC is the top CISO priority in 2026. Experts advise CISOs to quantify risk in financial terms (e.g., using the FAIR model), communicate risk in business language, and act as advisers on risk appetite rather than owners of it. The role demands broader knowledge of business operations, enterprise strategy, and market conditions beyond technical expertise.

CISOs reshape their roles as business risk strategists