Nick Kakolowski is the Senior Research Director at IANS Research, where he specializes in the managerial, leadership, risk management, privacy, and regulatory compliance components of the company’s curriculum.

The role of the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is expanding. Many CISOs are now responsible for more than just security — they are also managing privacy, AI risk, and other critical business functions. Organizations like IANS are helping security teams navigate these changes by providing critical data on CISO compensation, budget trends, and organizational structures through its research and surveys. So, how can companies ensure their security leadership is equipped to align with broader business goals while managing these new responsibilities effectively?

IANS focuses on helping CISOs and their teams address real-world security challenges through its faculty of industry practitioners. Through its annual CISO Compensation and Budget Survey, conducted in partnership with Artico Search, IANS uncovers valuable insights into compensation disparities, evolving CISO responsibilities, and how security roles are expanding to include privacy and AI risk management. By leveraging real-world data, IANS equips businesses with the information they need to build more resilient security programs and infosec teams.

In this episode of She Said Privacy/He Said Security, Jodi and Justin Daniels speak with Nick Kakolowski, Senior Research Director at IANS, about the CISO’s expanding role. Nick shares valuable insights from IANS’ research, highlighting how CISOs are taking on new responsibilities in areas like privacy, AI, and security governance. He underscores the growing importance of business and leadership skills for CISOs and emphasizes the need for collaboration across teams as boards increasingly turn to CISOs for security governance and risk management.