“It’s so important that the CISO gets a seat at the table”: a Q&A with Trace3’s Gina Yacone

Gina Yacone is a leading figure in cybersecurity, serving as a trusted advisor to senior security leaders and helping them navigate emerging trends and strategies to bolster defenses. As regional and advisory CISO at Trace3, she engages with the AI Center of Excellence, positioning herself at the forefront of AI and security innovation. The role of the CISO has evolved significantly from the traditional "castle-and-moat" mindset to managing complex, cloud-based, and borderless environments, compounded by the challenges posed by generative AI. Yacone emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, leveraging technology, and maintaining strong teams to stay relevant and effective. She advocates for a collaborative approach where security leaders need to transition from being seen as 'the department of no' to becoming integral partners in organizational success. Establishing an AI security, risk, and privacy committee is crucial for developing AI-specific security frameworks and ensuring that AI initiatives are transparent and accountable. Effective communication with C-suite executives is vital, requiring CISOs to be both technically proficient and business-savvy. Despite budget constraints and staffing challenges, Yacone remains optimistic about the future, focusing on smart decisions and the strategic use of technology to support security efforts.