CybeReady’s Hi-5 brings together InfoSec leaders for peer-to-peer sharing via 5 questions and insights.

Idan Sivan has been working in the cybersecurity space for over a decade and served as Chief Information Officer of AWIS in his previous rule. Three years ago he was appointed as the Chief Information Officer & Chief Information Security Officer of the leading law firm – Fischer Behar Chen Well Orion & Co.

What is the biggest challenge security leaders face today and how are you looking to tackle it?

One of the major challenges is a consolidation of the organization’s security systems including all its defense layers into one unified system. Additionally, enabling safe, continuous work from any location in the world is a need that has significantly increased over the past couple of years due to COVID-19.

In your view, how important are security awareness programs, and what’s a CISO’s main role in making them effective?

Assuming the organization is implementing an effective defense security program, security awareness is the most powerful measure companies can deploy when it comes to dealing with threats coming from employees. As CISO, it’s your responsibility to maintain a high level of trained employees alongside identifying these sorts of threats on an ongoing basis.

In your view, how important are security awareness programs, and what’s a CISO’s main role in making them effective?

I believe in educating employees, and I would never punish an employee for making an error. I always give them examples from their personal lives (where they most likely won’t make these mistakes) and encourage them to implement the same behavior in their work-life as well.

When it comes to recruitment – what approach do you take to attract and keep the best talent, and what would be your best tip for a new hire?

To keep talented employees, you need to allow them to take responsibility and empower them to make an impact as part of their role. When it comes to recruiting, I always ask what the candidates’ sources of information are in order to understand the level of knowledge they have and their desire to learn and evolve.

Finally (just for fun): if you could have dinner with any renowned figure (dead or alive), who would you choose and why?

With Pfizer’s scientist who developed the COVID-19 vaccine – and dinner would totally be my treat 😊