From No to Yes! S4:E26 🎙️LIVE with Franklin Ndeffo

7 Jul 2025 · 1 min

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Franklin Ndeffo argues that an MBA is a strategic asset for aspiring CISOs. Security teams have historically been the "department of no," blocking initiatives, but modern leaders must understand business goals and reframe security as an enabler rather than a blocker.

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How do you feel— how is your MBA important in your life today?
Uh, as a, as a future Chief Information Security Officer, it's not a requirement, but I think it's important. Uh, okay. When I first started getting into cybersecurity about 20 years ago, we used to kind of work in silos, right? We have the IT function, cybersecurity function, so everybody was like their own little kingdom. But the truth is, if you're gonna lead the cybersecurity function, if you're gonna be the Chief Information Security Officer, You need not only to learn about technology, but you need to be a leader, a business leader. Your organization is a business with a mission. You need to help the business accomplish the mission. And I don't know about you, but when I first started in cyber again, 20, 15 years ago, we used to be known as the department of no. No, can't do it. Too risky. No, can't do it. But the truth is, as a cybersecurity function, your job is not to say no, but to find a way to say yes. So understand what the risks are,