Gary Perkins, of CISO Global, on Building Resilient Cybersecurity Strategies for a Digital World

In an era where cyber threats evolve at breakneck speed, Gary Perkins, Chief Information Security Officer at CISO Global, offers a pragmatic and strategic perspective on safeguarding organizations. With decades of experience, Perkins emphasizes the importance of aligning cybersecurity with business priorities while maintaining robust defenses.

In this exclusive interview with The Daily Pulse, he shares insights on crafting effective strategies, addressing common risks, and enabling innovation without compromising security.

Perkins underscores that a successful cybersecurity strategy begins with understanding what’s at stake, both financially and reputationally. He advocates for a disciplined approach, starting with non-negotiable foundational controls like multi-factor authentication and employee training before tailoring investments to an organization’s risk appetite. “It’s about knowing what you’re protecting and why,” Perkins explains, cautioning against overspending on low-impact assets while highlighting the lasting damage of reputational breaches.

When it comes to the most pressing cyber risks, Perkins cuts through the noise of sensational headlines. He identifies three primary entry points for breaches: human error through phishing or social engineering, unpatched vulnerabilities, and supply chain weaknesses. His solution? Prioritize practical controls, as user education, timely patching, and rigorous third-party risk management, to address these vulnerabilities head-on, ensuring organizations stay resilient against the most likely threats.

As the role of the CISO evolves, Perkins highlights the stark contrast between small businesses and large enterprises. While small organizations often rely on IT staff or fractional CISOs for strategic guidance, large enterprises demand CISOs who can navigate boardroom dynamics and regulatory pressures. Yet, regardless of size, Perkins stresses a universal truth: “If you’re online, you’re a target.” His insights, paired with CISO Global’s comprehensive services, provide a roadmap for organizations to strengthen their defenses and stay ahead in an increasingly perilous digital landscape.

Here's our interview with Gary Perkins, Chief Information Security Officer at CISO Global:

1. How do organizations determine the right cybersecurity strategy to protect against evolving threats?

Know what you have to lose, start with understanding what is at stake. You should not be spending a million dollars protecting something that, in a worst-case scenario, would cost you $100,000 to replace, unless there’s a compelling reason. That said, not all damage is financial. The reputational fallout from a breach can be far more costly and difficult to recover from.

While many organizations reference a “risk-based approach” to justify their decisions, this only applies once you’ve addressed the essentials. If you're connected to the internet, there’s a baseline set of controls that are non-negotiable. Think of it as a height requirement you must be "this tall to ride."

Foundational controls include things like multi-factor authentication across the board, mandatory employee security training, and modern, consistently enforced endpoint and email protection. Only after those hygiene and compliance basics are covered does a true risk-based strategy come into play. At that point, it becomes a question of aligning security investments with the organization’s appetite for risk and mitigating risk to an acceptable level.

2. What are the most common cybersecurity risks facing companies today, and how can they be mitigated?

Despite the pendulum of headlines about nation-state threats and insider sabotage, most breaches boil down to a few common entry points. If your organization is compromised today it is going to be one of three ways.

First, someone inside the organization is tricked, whether through a malicious link or attachment, a rogue QR code, or classic social engineering. Second, high or critical vulnerabilities exposed to the internet are left unmitigated. Third, a partner or vendor with access introduces risk, highlighting the importance of supply chain security.

Focusing on how attackers are getting in, not just who they are, allows companies to address the most pressing risks head-on with practical controls: user education, endpoint and email security controls, timely patching, and rigorous third-party risk management.

3. How does the role of the CISO differ between small businesses and large enterprises?

In small businesses, there often isn’t room in the budget for a full-time CISO. Security decisions are typically made by someone in IT, often the most confident voice in the room, regardless of whether they have a security background. That’s where a fractional or virtual CISO can make a real difference, offering strategic guidance that’s tailored, objective, and grounded in real-world experience.

In larger enterprises, CISOs are part of the executive leadership team and have to balance technical oversight with business strategy, regulatory pressure, and board-level visibility. Regardless of size, every organization faces the same fundamental truth: if you’re online, you’re a target.

4. What key skills and qualifications are essential for a successful CISO?

A strong CISO brings more than just technical know-how. They’re an effective communicator, a strategic thinker, and a calm, measured presence in high-pressure situations. They understand the current threat landscape and can translate that knowledge into business-aligned decisions.

A CISO who only speaks in acronyms, military metaphors, or dense technical language will quickly lose the room. To be successful, they must speak the language of the business, translating risk into relevance and enabling informed decisions.

Perkins underscores that a successful cybersecurity strategy begins with understanding what’s at stake, both financially and reputationally. Source: LinkedIn.

5. How can CISOs balance the need for strong security with enabling business innovation and agility?

The answer lies in partnership. A great CISO isn’t the person who always says “no” or even “yes, but...” It’s the person who says, “yes, and here’s how we can do it securely.”

Security should never be a roadblock. It should be a value-add that enables the business to move with confidence. That requires listening, understanding what the business is trying to achieve, and then helping make it happen without introducing unnecessary or unacceptable risk.

6. What services and solutions does CISO.inc offer to help organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture?

CISO Global delivers comprehensive cybersecurity services designed to protect organizations of all sizes. From virtual CISO and penetration testing to incident response and 24/7 monitoring, we provide hands-on expertise through our US-based Security Operations Center.

Whether you need help building a security program from the ground up or strengthening what’s already in place, we offer the tools, experience, and people to make it happen.

7. How does CISO.inc support CISOs in staying ahead of emerging cyber threats and compliance challenges?

We stay active in the community, online and in person, because cybersecurity is a constantly shifting landscape. Every day, we learn from a wide range of sources, conduct our own research, and share insights with our clients and partners.

We believe in practical security, not just checking boxes. While compliance has its place, it's only one step toward achieving real security. Our goal is to help CISOs stay current, stay confident, and stay ahead.