Leadership gap: Why does every business need a Chief Information Security Officer?
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
The viability, survivability, and commercial success of any organization in the digital age depend on one core element: network and device security. When data leaks, the consequences go far beyond server downtime. It means plummeting revenues, legal risks, and the collapse of customer trust.
Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical hurdle for the IT department. According to expert Chuck Brooks on Forbes, it has become a foundational business requirement. However, despite this reality, a vast number of organizations—especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs)—still lack the guidance of a dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Industry professionals refer to this shortage as the "CISO gap." For SMEs, operating without a security helmsman is like sailing a ship without a captain through a stormy sea.
Damage data: From global projections to Vietnam's 2025 reality
To grasp the scale of the problem, the "2026 CISO Report" published by Cybersecurity Ventures and Sophos presents projections that cannot be ignored. Cybercrime is expected to inflict global economic damages reaching $12.2 trillion annually by 2031. This is a massive surge compared to the $10.5 trillion recorded in 2025 and $6 trillion in 2021.
In Vietnam, this risk is more palpable than ever. Data from the National Cybersecurity Association reveals that in the first half of 2025 alone, ransomware attacks caused over $10 million in damages, encrypting more than 3 Terabytes of critical data across multiple organizations. Concurrently, statistics from the Ministry of Public Security indicate that online fraud syndicates have misappropriated over 8,000 billion VND.
5 practical recommendations to bridge the leadership gap
Based on my experience and the broader cybersecurity community, the following are practical recommendations for organizations, especially SMEs, to address this gap:
Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment: Businesses cannot protect what they do not know. The first step is to audit the entire system to identify where sensitive data resides and what vulnerabilities can be exploited.
Build an internal security culture: Humans are consistently the weakest link. Information security awareness training for all employees, from management to new hires, must be conducted regularly, not just as a compliance formality.
Adopt recognized security frameworks: Instead of figuring it out on their own, organizations should implement internationally recognized frameworks (such as NIST or ISO 27001) as a compass for building their cybersecurity architecture.
Prepare an Incident Response Plan: Don't wait until servers are encrypted to figure out a solution. A clear response protocol ensures leadership knows exactly what to do, who to contact, and how to recover data to minimize downtime.
Leverage professional managed services: If hiring an in-house CISO exceeds financial capabilities, look to outsourced security service partners to access top-tier expertise within a reasonable budget.
The IPSIP Vietnam solution: Untangling the strategic HR puzzle
Recruiting a full-time, highly experienced CISO always comes with massive compensation packages. This is a common pain point for many SMEs in Vietnam. But data security cannot wait.
At IPSIP Vietnam, our services are specifically designed to help organizations thoroughly resolve this leadership gap, delivering a robust defense system without creating a hiring burden.
What does this solution increase for the company?
Partnering with IPSIP helps businesses amplify their proactive cybersecurity capabilities. The organization will increase its compliance rate with personal data protection regulations (such as Decree 356/2025/ND-CP). Most valuably, the company boosts its brand trust in the eyes of partners and customers by proving that its data processing workflows are constantly overseen by certified experts.
How much risk, time, and cost is teduced?
Through the virtual CISO (vCISO) service and security monitoring systems, organizations can slash operational costs by 60-70% compared to maintaining an in-house C-level executive. The time taken to detect anomalies and isolate malware is reduced to mere minutes. All risks of system stagnation and financial loss due to incidents are tightly controlled to an absolute minimum.
In a landscape where digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leaving cybersecurity to chance is too massive a gamble. Proactively acknowledging and filling the CISO gap is not just a defensive tactic; it is a strategic move to ensure the business can confidently achieve sustainable growth in 2026 and for the long road ahead.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the CISO gap?
This term describes the reality where organizations, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, lack senior leadership personnel to plan and execute a comprehensive information security strategy.
How severe are the damages from cybercrime in Vietnam?
In 2025, ransomware attacks caused over $10 million in damages, encrypting 3 Terabytes of data. Additionally, online fraud syndicates misappropriated over 8,000 billion VND. Up to 56% of businesses in Vietnam admit to facing a shortage of security personnel.
What should SMEs do to obtain cybersecurity leadership without overspending their budget?
SMEs can leverage virtual CISO (vCISO) services from reputable providers like IPSIP Vietnam. This solution grants businesses a professional security strategy equivalent to having an in-house executive, but at a much more flexible and optimized cost.
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References:
The CISO Gap: Why Every Business Needs Cybersecurity Leadership - Cybersecurity Ventures
The CISO Gap: Why Every Business Needs Cybersecurity Leadership - Forbes
Ransomware causes over $10 million in damages in Vietnam in H1 2025 - VnEconomy
Vietnam Cyber Attack Report 2025 - IPSIP Vietnam
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