As the chief information security officer (CISO) at Citigroup, Charles Blauner has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the CISO role over the past three decades. From its humble beginnings as an emerging technical position to one of the most strategically important leadership roles in business, Blauner’s career is a testament to the dynamic nature of cybersecurity. In a recent conversation with Dark Reading, Blauner shared his insights on what makes a great security leader, and it’s clear that this role requires more than just technical expertise.
Blauner’s own journey into cybersecurity began at the dawn of information security, when he was working at Bell Communications Research. He recalls being part of a team that was tasked with identifying vulnerabilities in computer systems, essentially “hacking” to find weaknesses before malicious actors could exploit them. This early experience laid the foundation for his future career, which took him into banking and eventually led to roles as CISO at JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank, and Citigroup.
One of the most significant factors that has shaped the cybersecurity profession is mentorship. Blauner credits Steve Katz, often referred to as “The Godfather” of the CISO role, with creating a precedent for the position in 1994 by establishing the title and hiring someone to fill it. This early example set the stage for future generations of security leaders, who would go on to build upon this foundation.
As Blauner notes, being a great security leader requires more than just technical expertise; resilience, communication skills, and business acumen are increasingly essential qualities for success in this role. Cybersecurity leaders face a unique challenge: staying ahead of adversaries whose sole purpose is to find ways to compromise systems and steal sensitive information. This reality makes the CISO position unlike any other in the C-suite, requiring a deep understanding of not only technology but also human behavior.
Blauner’s advice for aspiring cybersecurity professionals is clear: building a network of mentors matters more than finding just one. He stresses the importance of collaboration and paying it forward, highlighting the need for security leaders to be willing to share their knowledge and experience with others. This approach has helped shape the profession into what it is today.
As the field continues to evolve, Blauner emphasizes that AI’s impact on security jobs will be significant. While some may view this as a threat, he sees it as an opportunity for security professionals to adapt and focus on higher-level tasks that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ultimately, the future of cybersecurity lies not only in protecting technology but also in helping organizations build lasting operational resilience.
So what can we take away from Blauner’s insights? For those looking to pursue a career in cybersecurity, it’s clear that mentorship, collaboration, and a willingness to adapt are essential. As security professionals, we must be prepared to evolve with the threat landscape and stay ahead of adversaries who will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible. By doing so, we can build a more resilient and secure future for ourselves and our organizations.
Source: Dark Reading — 2026-07-28