Corporate Performance & ESG October 13, 2026

The CISO Agenda for 2027: Five actions security leaders should take now

The rapid adoption of AI is reshaping business priorities and changing how organizations think about risk. Amid emerging technologies, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving regulatory expectations, information security leaders play a key role in balancing innovation, security, and resilience.
 
In The CISO Agenda for 2027, we see that Gartner® outlines five strategic actions CISOs can take now to position their organizations, and themselves, for long-term success. The report explores how security leaders can:

  • Embrace a higher organizational risk appetite driven by ambitious AI initiatives
  • Navigate the challenges of achieving measurable AI ROI
  • Shift the CISO role from risk owner to business value enabler
  • Treat cybersecurity burnout as an operational and organizational risk
  • Prepare for the transition to a postquantum future

The expanding role of the CISO

As the scope of cybersecurity work grows, CISOs must reevaluate their strategic approach. Gartner reports that nearly half of CISOs remain focused on operational tasks — such as controls and risk decision ownership — rather than driving business value enablement. 
 
The report explores how security leaders can increase their influence, reduce remit creep, and strengthen alignment with business objectives by participating earlier in strategic decision-making.

Successful AI adoption requires more than risk management

Organizations are betting heavily on AI, but many are still struggling to realize meaningful returns. At the same time, leadership teams are becoming more willing to accept risk in pursuit of innovation and competitive advantage.

CISOs play an essential role in driving responsible AI adoption. Success depends on helping the organization make informed decisions about where AI can create value, how it should be governed, and what level of risk is acceptable. The report explores how security leaders can align AI governance with business objectives, adapt to changing risk appetites, and build resilience for a future shaped by AI-enabled threats.
 
Download the complete report to read more. 

How the right software can set CISOs up for success

The Gartner report outlines the priorities and actions CISOs should consider as they prepare for 2027. In our view, TeamMate Risk & Compliance provides the software foundation needed to help security leaders put these priorities into practice.

TeamMate Risk & Compliance is a unified GRC software solution that gives security leaders greater visibility, consistency, and control across their programs:

  • Connect risk, compliance, third-party risk management, policy, privacy, incident management, and business continuity activities in one system.
  • Gain a centralized source of truth for GRC, with an accurate, real-time view of program health that helps security teams identify and respond to emerging risks faster.
  • Support AI governance with AI risk assessments, AI system inventories, asset tracking, and policy and documentation management.
  • Accelerate GRC processes with workflow automation, common controls across compliance frameworks, and automated evidence collection.

Gartner, The CISO Agenda for 2027, By Christine Lee, Tom Scholtz et al., 17 September 2026

GARTNER is a trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates.

Download the Gartner® CISO Agenda for 2027

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