CISO Turnover and Succession Planning Challenges
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The high turnover rate among Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) is causing significant instability in security programs. Average CISO tenure ranges from 18 to 26 months, with many CISOs facing burnout due to excessive expectations and lack of organizational support. This turnover disrupts security operations, delays controls, and erodes institutional knowledge, leading to fragmented security programs that fail to mature.
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14.01.2026 01:45 1 articles · 23h ago
High CISO Turnover Disrupts Security Programs
The average tenure of CISOs is between 18 and 26 months, leading to significant instability in security programs. This turnover results in disruptions in security operations, delays in implementing controls, and the erosion of institutional knowledge. The article emphasizes the need for structural changes and building a leadership pipeline to address these issues.
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- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
Information Snippets
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Average CISO tenure is between 18 and 26 months.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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66% of CISOs report facing excessive expectations, and 63% have experienced or witnessed burnout in the past year.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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47% of CISOs do not have an adequate internal successor in place.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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CISOs often report to another C-suite executive, limiting their influence and authority.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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Security teams rely on tribal knowledge, which is lost during leadership turnover.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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Security programs are multi-year efforts, but constant turnover resets progress.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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Organizations often lack a clear succession plan for CISOs, leading to disruptions in security operations.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45
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Structural changes and building a leadership pipeline are necessary to address CISO turnover.
First reported: 14.01.2026 01:451 source, 1 articleShow sources
- CISO Succession Crisis Highlights How Turnover Amplifies Security Risks — www.darkreading.com — 14.01.2026 01:45