Maman Ibrahim highlights the necessity for organizations to assess the effectiveness of their cybersecurity investments. He asserts that the true evaluation of cybersecurity performance lies in the ability of an organization to convert technical risks into comprehensible business language that leaders can utilize for informed decision-making.
With extensive experience in leading IT audit and risk functions for multinational corporations, Ibrahim has dedicated his career to assisting executives in demystifying complex cybersecurity issues. His work spans various sectors, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing, all centered on one primary objective: to render cyber resilience measurable and useful.
The Challenge of Measuring Invisible Risks
Ibrahim notes that when cybersecurity measures are effective, they often become unnoticed. Systems function seamlessly, disruptions are non-existent, and potential threats are neutralized before they become public knowledge. This success, however, contributes to a critical visibility challenge. “Cybersecurity has become one of the most significant expenses in every corporate budget,” he observes. “But when everything operates smoothly, it becomes difficult for leaders to justify ongoing investments. If no incidents occur, it appears as though funding is unnecessary.”
The intricacy of cybersecurity further complicates the situation. Security teams are tasked with making continuous decisions regarding which risks to prioritize, often amid evolving technologies and regulatory demands. Executives, in turn, are left to decipher reports that can seem overly technical and disconnected from core business interests. “You cannot monitor or control what you cannot measure,” Ibrahim emphasizes, pointing to the need for metrics that link security performance to tangible business results.
Making Metrics Meaningful
Throughout his years of advising boards and chief information security officers, Ibrahim has identified that effective metrics tend to possess certain characteristics, even though no universal formula exists. A metric should align with the organization”s strategic goals, be easily understandable for non-technical leaders, and be practical enough to inform decision-making. “If you need half an hour to explain a metric, you”ve got it wrong,” he asserts. “Cyber metrics should be comprehensible to business leaders in under a minute.” The crux of the matter, according to him, is translation.
For instance, a technical term like “CVE 10 vulnerability” holds little significance for a board, while rephrasing it as “a flaw that could delay production” instantly connects it to the organization”s operational performance. Effective metrics also enable leaders to track progress over time and maintain a balance between indicators that forecast risks and those reflecting historical performance. In Ibrahim”s experience, robust systems empower executives to confidently address fundamental questions regarding detection, response, and preparedness without uncertainty.
Navigating the Evolving Cyber Landscape
The rise of new technologies and regulatory frameworks is transforming how organizations evaluate their cybersecurity effectiveness. While artificial intelligence can enhance data collection and analysis, Ibrahim remains cautious. “Technology alone will not improve your metrics,” he contends. “What enhances metrics is genuine operational effectiveness. It remains a case of garbage in, garbage out.”
Simultaneously, frameworks like the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, SEC S-K rules, the Digital Operational Resilience Act, and NIS 2 are steering companies toward increased transparency. Additionally, the advent of AI introduces new oversight requirements, encompassing ethics, data privacy, and accountability. Ibrahim believes organizations will increasingly need to demonstrate that their technology is not only secure but also used responsibly and in alignment with corporate values.
From Risk Assessment to Confidence
For Ibrahim, the ultimate aim of measurement is to instill confidence. The strength of a cybersecurity program does not lie in the sheer volume of metrics but rather in the clarity of the few that truly matter. Ineffectively designed metrics can obscure risks and diminish trust, whereas clear and relevant metrics enable leaders to make decisive actions in critical situations.
As artificial intelligence and regulatory changes reshape the risk landscape, Ibrahim”s approach provides a practical pathway forward. It directly ties cybersecurity performance to leadership assurance, transforming the act of measurement from a technical task into a source of strategic understanding.
