Soft Skills of The Chief Information Security Officer

Authors

Jeroen M.J. van Yperen Hagedoorn, HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, NetherlandsFollow
Richard Smit, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFollow
Patric Versteeg, HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, NetherlandsFollow
Pascal Ravesteyn, HU University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, NetherlandsFollow

Abstract

This study addresses the role of a Dutch chief information security officer (CISO) and the soft skills required in this leadership role. The overview of soft skills is the outcome of the CISO perspectives in a Delphi study combined with an analysis of soft skills mentioned in job ads. A comparison with an earlier US-based study revealed that soft skills are ranked differently by Dutch CISOs. Moreover, we found that soft skills are not clearly described in job ads – none of these ads had explicitly listed soft skills. The present study demonstrates that CISOs with soft skills are in demand. The development of soft skills starts at a young age through various social activities and is also the result of self-actuation. The practical implications of this study are that it offers insights into the soft skills required for the role and discusses best-fitting leadership styles and ways in which organisations should include soft skills in recruitment.

Recommended Citation

van Yperen Hagedoorn, Jeroen M.J.; Smit, Richard; Versteeg, Patric; and Ravesteyn, Pascal, "Soft Skills of The Chief Information Security Officer" (2021). BLED 2021 Proceedings. 31.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/bled2021/31