Open AccessSoft Skills of The Chief Information Security Officer
Author(s) -
Jeroen M.J. van Yperen Hagedoorn,
Richard van Zyl Smit,
Patric Versteeg,
Pascal Ravesteijn
Publication year - 2021
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Conference proceedings
DOI - 10.18690/978-961-286-485-9.34
Subject(s) - soft skills , officer , skills management , delphi , delphi method , social skills , psychology , medical education , knowledge management , computer science , medicine , political science , artificial intelligence , law , psychotherapist , operating system
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.