Cybersecurity and compliance aren’t just IT concerns—they’re boardroom issues. As CMMC becomes a baseline requirement for federal contracts, organizations can no longer afford for executives to remain hands-off. Many security gaps start at the top when leadership underestimates their role in maintaining a secure and compliant operation.
Here are three executive roles that urgently need a security reality check in 2025.
1. The CFO: Compliance Is Not a One-Time Cost
Chief Financial Officers often see compliance as a line item—something to check off and move on. But frameworks like CMMC require ongoing investments in infrastructure, monitoring, and training.
Common missteps:
Underfunding cybersecurity renewals
Treating compliance like a short-term project
Delaying critical upgrades due to unclear ROI
Smart CFOs plan for long-term compliance by budgeting early for foundational improvements—like GCC High Migrations Services—to avoid surprise remediation costs.
2. The COO: Security Is Part of Operational Excellence
Operations leaders focus on efficiency, delivery, and scalability—but often overlook security’s impact on all three. Misconfigured tools or weak access controls can bring operations to a halt or cause contract risk.
Security priorities for COOs:
Integrating security into supply chain and process management
Aligning secure workflows with daily operations
Supporting policy enforcement across teams and tools
3. The CEO: Silence Isn’t Safety
If the CEO isn’t talking about security, neither is anyone else. In today’s threat landscape, leadership silence can signal apathy—both internally and to regulators.
What the CEO should be doing:
Publicly backing security initiatives
Holding teams accountable for compliance goals
Staying informed on federal standards and audit timelines