The modern business world is one in need of security. Cybersecurity, in particular, has been an issue for most companies, including industry leaders. One reason is a lack of real communication between information technology people and the boardroom, and that must change, according to Rich Baich (pictured left), chief information security officer at Wells Fargo & Co.

“Security is becoming part of not only the institution today, but the institution of the future as organizations move toward digitalization,” Baich said. “So having that ability to have someone who understands the risk management side of cybersecurity, as well as the practitioner side, will only make, I think, a boardroom that much stronger.”

Baich and his colleague, Jason Cook (pictured, right), managing director of The Chertoff Group LLC, visited theCUBE, SiliconANGLE’s mobile livestreaming studio, at the Chertoff Group Security Series “Security in the Boardroom” event in Palo Alto, California. (* Disclosure below.)

Together, they spoke with theCUBE host Jeff Frick (@JeffFrick) on matters of security, talking to boards and defining security as risk management.

Finding a common security language

When it comes to computer security, it’s important for board members to understand the topic. That’s the only way they can do their jobs regarding cybersecurity, according to Baich and Cook. Unfortunately, there’s a language barrier when it comes to the technology. Now, some boards are hiring experts to help cross that barrier.

The first issue when communicating with company boards is gaining their trust. The IT envoy to the board must present their case in a way the board can digest. From there, it’s important for the board to know the top risks, Cook explained.

“It’s becoming a conversation about how we, as board members, take responsibility and accountability for protecting our organizations,” Cook said.

This has created a new role in IT, the person who engages the boardroom about cybersecurity as a form of risk management, according to Baich and Cook. Pulling together everything the board needs to know is a challenge across the industry today. The goal is to bring actionable intelligence that the board can react to or predict against, they explained

Bringing experts to the board is one way of reaching that goal. Companies are showing a desire to have security people on the board to help understand the risks involved. Another benefit is that security experts understand the value of sharing information about attacks, Baich stated.

“If you look at the past history, that sharing has really helped a lot of organizations. I see them only getting better and better as time goes by,” Baich concluded.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of The Chertoff Group Security Series “Security in the Boardroom.” (* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for The Chertoff Group Security Series “Security in the Boardroom.” Neither The Chertoff Group LLC nor Deloitte have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Photo: SiliconANGLE