CISO Management of Cyber Security Compliance
The CISO is responsible for managing the organisation's cyber security and ensuring compliance with relevant standards and laws.
Plain language
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) is like the captain of a ship when it comes to steering an organisation's cyber security. They are tasked with ensuring that the company follows all the rules and laws to protect its digital assets. If this isn't done correctly, the organisation risks facing fines, loss of customer trust, or even legal action if they fail to protect their information properly.
Framework
ASD Information Security Manual (ISM)
Control effect
Proactive
Classifications
NC, OS, P, S, TS
ISM last updated
Sept 2020
Control Stack last updated
19 Mar 2026
E8 maturity levels
N/A
Guideline
Guidelines for cyber security rolesOfficial control statement
The CISO oversees their organisation's cyber security program and ensures their organisation's compliance with cyber security policy, standards, regulations and legislation.
Why it matters
Without CISO oversight of cyber security compliance, policy and regulatory gaps persist, increasing breach likelihood, audit findings, and penalties.
Operational notes
Define CISO accountability for compliance, keep a policy/standards compliance register, and require periodic CISO-led reviews and audit remediation reporting.
Implementation tips
- CISO or head of IT should regularly meet with the legal team to review current cyber security laws and regulations. This can be done by scheduling a quarterly meeting to go over any changes in legislation and assess how these impact the organisation.
- The IT manager should establish a clear cyber security policy that aligns with local regulations. This involves writing a policy document that outlines procedures for data protection, incident response, and employee responsibilities.
- HR should ensure that all employees receive regular training about cyber security policies and compliance. This can be achieved by organising annual training sessions and quizzes to reinforce key principles and policies.
- The CISO or compliance officer should perform regular audits of the organisation’s IT systems to ensure compliance. They can do this by setting a schedule for auditing systems against established standards and documenting any findings.
- The procurement team should make sure that any software or tech solutions purchased meet compliance requirements. This involves reviewing vendor contracts and certifications that guarantee compliance with relevant standards.
Audit / evidence tips
-
Askthe latest cyber security policy document: Request to see the current version of the policy to ensure it includes all necessary compliance details
Goodincludes a detailed policy aligned with current regulations and dated updates
-
Askrecords showing attendance and completion of cyber security training
Goodincludes comprehensive records and evidence of recent sessions
-
Goodaudit is detailed, with clear follow-up actions and evidence of resolution
-
Askprocurement guidelines for technology purchases: Review documents that outline how tech purchases are evaluated for compliance
Goodwill be guidelines that include a vendor compliance check as a mandatory step
-
Askto see how incident response procedures ensure compliance with laws
Goodhas an up-to-date plan that includes steps for regulatory reporting
Cross-framework mappings
How ISM-1478 relates to controls across ISO/IEC 27001, Essential Eight, and ASD ISM.
ISO 27001
| Control | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|
| sync_alt Partially overlaps (3) expand_less | ||
| Annex A 5.1 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the cyber security program and ensure compliance with cyber security policy, standards, regulations... | |
| Annex A 5.2 | Annex A 5.2 requires information security roles and responsibilities to be defined and allocated according to organisational needs | |
| Annex A 5.31 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the cyber security program and ensure the organisation complies with applicable policy, standards, ... | |
| handshake Supports (8) expand_less | ||
| Annex A 5.4 | ISM-1478 makes the CISO accountable for overseeing the cyber security program and ensuring organisational compliance with cyber security ... | |
| Annex A 5.8 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the organisation’s cyber security program and ensure compliance with applicable policies, standards... | |
| Annex A 5.10 | ISM-1478 requires CISO oversight of the cyber security program and ensuring compliance with cyber security policy and other obligations | |
| Annex A 5.24 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the organisation’s cyber security program and ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards | |
| Annex A 5.34 | Annex A 5.34 requires compliance with privacy and PII protection requirements derived from laws and contracts | |
| Annex A 5.35 | ISM-1478 requires CISO oversight of the cyber security program and assurance of compliance with cyber security obligations | |
| Annex A 5.36 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the organisation’s cyber security program and ensure compliance with cyber security policies, stand... | |
| Annex A 5.37 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the cyber security program and ensure compliance with organisational and external cyber security re... | |
E8
| Control | Notes | Details |
|---|---|---|
| handshake Supports (4) expand_less | ||
| E8-AC-ML2.9 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the organisation’s cyber security program and ensure compliance with cyber security obligations | |
| E8-MF-ML2.10 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the organisation’s cyber security program and ensure compliance with cyber security policy and asso... | |
| E8-RA-ML2.11 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the cyber security program and ensure compliance with cyber security policy and related obligations | |
| E8-AH-ML2.16 | ISM-1478 requires the CISO to oversee the cyber security program and ensure the organisation complies with relevant cyber security polici... | |
These mappings show relationships between controls across frameworks. They do not imply full equivalence or certification.