CISO of the Year: Strategically creating the security of tomorrow
Every year, CIS honours the best Chief Information Security Officer with the CISO of the Year award based on particularly successful projects. This not only honours special achievements, but also sets milestones for the further development of information security management. Richard Thron shares his experiences as CISO of the Year 2024 and answers our questions about the award and his winning project.
Why did you apply for the CISO of the Year?
The decision to apply for the CISO of the Year Award was based on a desire to highlight the work of my team and the strategic importance of information security. The award provides a great platform to share best practices, raise awareness of innovative security solutions and emphasise the crucial role of the CISO in today’s digital world. At the same time, it was important for me to present the security initiatives we have established to a broader professional community and to contribute to the exchange in the community.
How have you benefited from the award?
The CISO of the Year award has not only recognised my personal work, but also put the performance of my team in the spotlight. It has significantly expanded my professional network and enabled me to connect with leading experts in the industry, which has encouraged the exchange of best practices and innovative approaches. In addition, the award has further strengthened the perception of information security as a strategic success factor in our company, which has created great trust both internally and externally.
What makes a CISO of the Year?
A CISO of the Year is characterised by strategic thinking, innovative strength and the ability to anchor information security as part of the corporate strategy. It’s about not just reacting to threats, but proactively making the company more resilient. My advice to applicants: Focus on the projects or initiatives that have added the most value to your company. Show how you overcame challenges, motivated teams and developed innovative solutions that go far beyond technical aspects. Ultimately, your application should authentically and clearly show what makes you unique as a CISO.
How did you like the CIS Compliance Summit 2024?
The CIS Compliance Summit was a great opportunity to exchange ideas with other experts from the information security community and gain valuable insights into current trends and best practices. I was particularly impressed by the variety of topics presented and the quality of the discussions. For me, the summit was not only a platform for networking, but also an inspiration to take away new ideas for the further development of our security strategy.
More about Richard Thron
Richard Thron is Director Information Security and Group Chief Information Security Officer at Umdasch Group AG, a leading international company in the construction and retail industry. With his expertise, he has made a significant contribution to establishing an innovative security culture that not only includes technological measures, but also focuses on the awareness and behaviour of employees. He is also a lecturer at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences and shares his knowledge and experience with students in the field of IT security.
Here you can find the video (german) of the presentation of the winning project.
Want to find out more about the award? Contact us, we look forward to your enquiry!
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