The truth is that in today’s hyperconnected world, maturity-based cybersecurity programs are no longer adequate for combatting cyberrisks. A more strategic, risk-based approach is imperative for effective and efficient risk management (Exhibit 2).

To improve decision making at this level, the metrics provided by the security team must be risk based and framed in a way that aligns with business drivers.

Executives are often forced to make sense of a long list of sometimes conflicting metrics. By linking KRIs and KPIs, the cybersecurity team gives executives the ability to engage in meaningful problem-solving discussions on which risks are within tolerances, which are not, and why (see the sidebar, “Linking a KRI to a KPI”).