ISC2 Silicon Valley April 2025 Chapter Meeting

The April 8 meeting is FREE for ISC2 and CSA members. Please sign up to reserve a spot.

6:00 to 6:15 PM : Chapter Social and Announcements
6:15 to 7:00 PM : The Mental Models that every CISO should master
7:00 to 7:45 PM : Security Operations - The Black Art of the SOC
7:45 to 8:00 PM : Member Networking

Info: As a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), the ability to navigate the complexities
of modern cybersecurity and risk management relies on how effectively you can
process information, identify risks, and make informed decisions. George Box's
statement, “All models are wrong, but some are useful,” underscores the importance of
adopting mental models as powerful tools for simplifying complex realities. We
explore 10 essential mental models that every CISO should master - to enable decision-makers to rapidly interpret data, anticipate risks, and create more resilient security strategies. From recognizing the limitations of risk assessments (Map Is Not The Territory) to applying First Principles Thinking for innovation, and employing Probabilistic Thinking to assess threat likelihoods, these models sharpen decision-making and foster adaptive leadership.

Info: What is a SOC and what does it really do?
- Let’s look at work that flows into a SOC and what the outcomes it delivers.
Who works in a SOC and what type of skills do they have?
- What skill sets usually reside in your SOC, and how to leverage them correctly to achieve your desired outcomes.
How do you correctly scope the size of a SOC and measure its capacity?
- Prevent burnout, and make sure you’re not overwhelming your SOC function.
How does a SOC work internally, and how do they decide what to look at?
- With thousands of alerts and requests, how do we prioritize what they should work on, and just as importantly not work on
Why do people work in a SOC?
- With the high levels of burn out and traditionally low job satisfaction, why do people keep wanting to do this work?

Info: A networking opportunity

Host or Publisher (ISC)² Silicon Valley Chapter