The Cyber Savvy Boardroom: Essentials Explained

(Paperback)

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In The Cyber Savvy Boardroom, Homaira Akbari and Shamla Naidoo, two longtime cybersecurity experts and board directors, draw on their deep knowledge of the field and extensive experience of working with board of directors of large and small companies to explain the essentials of cybersecurity. They make abstract and highly technical concepts comprehensible to public and private company board members, C-level executives, and leaders of not-for-profit organizations.

Today, cybersecurity is a C-level and board-level imperative, but cybersecurity concepts are a challenge for board directors. They may not be as familiar with cybersecurity compared to other longer-tenured disciplines such as finance, sales, and human capital management. Because cybersecurity knowledge among board directors varies widely, board-level cybersecurity discussions are often frustrating for all parties involved.

Every board director knows they need to become more knowledgeable about cybersecurity. They are willing to delve into their companies' significant cybersecurity risks, especially in view of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) new cybersecurity disclosure rules. But the technical nature of the subject, with its rapidly-changing concepts, can introduce complexity and confusion. CISOs' and CIOs' detailed explanations often lead to overly technical discussions that don't assist the board in fulfilling its essential governance role.

In this single, short volume, Akbari and Naidoo take a pragmatic approach. They provide a clear explanation of the cybersecurity landscape that effectively organizes the topic as a series of priority concepts. These concepts enable better dialogue with security practitioners and lay the groundwork for future learning. The Cyber Savvy Boardroom provides business leaders with the necessary cybersecurity knowledge to enhance businesses' capacity to embark on successful digital journeys.

For Akbari and Naidoo, this book is an act of giving back to worldwide communities of professionals who care to make the world more secure and equitable for everyone. Any proceeds received will be donated to charitable causes.

Cybersecurity is definitely a hot topic for boards of directors everywhere. The Cyber Savvy Boardroom is a must-read about the risks and rewards of cybersecurity.
Ana Botn, Executive Chair of Santander Group

This book should be read at least once by each Board of Directors to get a full view of cybersecurity and how organizations should be protected. On the basis of these focused explanations, all board members can reach out to their CISO and expect to fully understand the risk in their business.
Bernard Gavgani, Group CIO BNP Paribas

Cybersecurity knowledge is now essential at the board level, especially for risk management. This book therefore is a must read. It translates a complicated topic with many nuances into easily understood concepts that help every board director feel better prepared.
John Thompson, Partner, Lightspeed Ventures, and former Chair, Microsoft

Much has been written about cybersecurity. But this excellent, thoughtful and practical book puts the issues in proper perspective. A good read for any board member.
Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and CEO, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Reviews

Cybersecurity is definitely a hot topic for boards of directors everywhere. The Cyber Savvy Boardroom is a must-read about the risks and rewards of cybersecurity. - Ana Botn, Executive Chair of Santander Group

This book should be read at least once by each board of directors to get a full view of cybersecurity and how organizations should be protected. On the basis of these focused explanations, all board members can reach out to their CISO and expect to fully understand the risk in their business. - Bernard Gavgani, Group CIO, BNP Paribas

Cybersecurity knowledge is now essential at the board level, especially for risk management. This book therefore is a must read. It translates a complicated topic with many nuances into easily understood concepts that help every board director feel better prepared. - John Thompson, Partner, Lightspeed Ventures, and former Chair, Microsoft

Much has been written about cybersecurity. But this excellent, thoughtful and practical book puts the issues in proper perspective. A good read for any board member. - Seifi Ghasemi, Chairman, President and CEO, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Author Bio

Dr. Homaira Akbari is President and CEO of AKnowledge Partners, LLC, a global strategy advisory firm providing services to private equity funds and corporations in digital transformation and technology sectors of Cybersecurity, Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Energy Transition, and FinTech. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Banco Santander (NYSE: SAN) and Landstar System (NASDAQ: LSTR).

Dr. Akbari has held senior management roles in Fortune 1000 companies including
Microsoft, Thales, and Liberty Media subsidiary Trueposition. Dr. Akbari has served as
the President and CEO of SkyBitz, Inc., a leading IoT company providing asset tracking
and security solutions. Under her leadership, the company had record performance.
She successfully sold SkyBitz to Telular Corporation (NASDAQ: WRLS).

She holds a Ph.D. with honors in particle physics from Tufts University and an MBA with distinction from Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business. She is the author of more than 50 scientific articles in international journals, has two patents in IoT, and is a frequent speaker in industry conferences. She has published numerous governance and technology Opinion Editorials and Podcasts, and most recently co-authored the book: The Cyber Savvy Boardroom.

Throughout her life, Dr. Akbari has been active in and a contributor to many non-profit organizations. She is currently a member of the Business Board of Advisors for Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business, and a member of the Executive Board of Trustees of FIAF.org, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to promote French culture, art and language.

Shamla Naidoo is a technologist, innovator, economist, law professor, and business leader with decades of experience in cybersecurity. She currently serves as a non-executive director for multiple domestic and international companies, Head of Cloud Strategy for Netskope, and an adjunct professor at UIC Law. Previously she was global CISO and Head of Information Technology Risk at IBM. Shamla advises governments and industry on how to embrace innovation while managing risk, having worked in the healthcare, finance, hospitality, energy, and manufacturing sectors. She has led cybersecurity programs for some of the most targeted companies in the world and has been able to work with board directors of all backgrounds