Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility – starting with the C-Suite
"From strategic investment to culture change, embedding security into an organisation's DNA starts at the top."
From ransomware and insider threats to AI-powered phishing and deepfake attacks, the scale and sophistication of cyber threats are accelerating at an alarming pace. At the same time, digital transformation, hybrid working models, and interconnected supply chains have rapidly expanded modern attack surfaces. In today’s environment, being targeted is no longer a question of "if", but "when".
As a result, organisations are rethinking their cybersecurity strategies, not just in terms of tools and technologies, but also in terms of responsibility. While accountability has historically fallen on overstretched IT teams, there is a growing recognition that cyber risk is business risk, and therefore a board-level concern.
From strategic investment to company-wide culture change, embedding cybersecurity into the DNA of an organisation starts at the top. So how can businesses turn awareness into action and ensure cybersecurity isn't just on the boardroom agenda, but everyone’s agenda?
C-Suite accountability is growing
A broader shift in mindset is already underway. According to Fortinet’s 2025 State of Operational Technology (OT) and Cybersecurity Report, an overwhelming 95% of organisations now report the C-Suite is responsible for OT, up from 41% in 2022. A growing number are assigning this responsibility directly to Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) and Chief Security Officers (CSOs) or are preparing to do so over the next twelve months.
This shift suggests that cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue; it’s a strategic one. The rise in boardroom engagement is being driven not only by the frequency and complexity of attacks, but also by the tangible financial, reputational and operational impact they can have. With the report finding a growing number of organisations now experience multiple intrusions each year, the cost of inaction – fines, downtime, lost data and lost trust – is now simply too high to ignore.
The benefits of shared responsibility
Involving the C-Suite in the cybersecurity conversation isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it can also drive significant improvements in resilience and overall maturity.
First, executive involvement ensures that cybersecurity is treated as a strategic business priority, not a reactive cost. With board-level buy-in, security leaders are more likely to secure the funding, talent and resources needed to deploy a mature and scalable security strategy tailored to their specific needs – whether that’s automated detection and response, or continuous vulnerability management.
Second, executive leadership sets the tone for the rest of the business. When cybersecurity is visibly championed by senior leaders, it sends a clear message – security is everyone’s responsibility, from human resources to legal and communications teams. This helps foster a security-first culture across departments, encouraging more collaborative, cross-functional risk management.
Finally, a proactive, top-down approach boosts operational resilience. Fortinet’s report found that organisations taking a platform-based approach – integrating solutions across the network, endpoint and cloud – to cybersecurity experienced a 93% reduction in cyber incidents compared to those with fragmented systems.
Building on momentum
So how do organisations build on this momentum and turn leadership engagement into lasting change?
It starts with education. Senior leaders need more than high-level briefings; they need a foundational understanding of cyber risk and best practice. This means tailored awareness training that goes beyond compliance, covering areas such as passwords, multi-factor authentication and social engineering tactics.
READ MORE: Bad dates: Criminals weaponise calendar invites to sneak phishing lures past email defences
These programmes should also be extended across the organisations so all employees, not just the technical teams – understand they have a role in maintaining a secure posture.
It’s also essential to frame cybersecurity as part of wider enterprise risk management. By clearly articulating the potential business impacts of an attack, whether financial, legal, reputational or operational, security leaders can make the case for sustained investment and executive oversight. Metrics, scenario planning and threat modelling can help translate technical risk into board-level language.
A culture of resilience
The cyber threat landscape is in a constant state of flux and will continue to evolve rapidly. Attackers are innovating just as quickly as defenders, often exploiting AI, automation and supply chain vulnerabilities to gain access. In this climate, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought or the sole responsibility of one single department.
It must become a shared responsibility, driven by leadership and embedded across the business. When the C-Suite leads on cybersecurity, others follow. That’s how you build a resilient, security-aware organisation that’s not just protected against today, but prepared for tomorrow.
Richard Woolfrey is Regional Director UK&I at Fortinet
