Setting the Board Agenda: A Conversation with Dr. Homaira Akbari, Board Member Banco Santander and Landstar System

In the fifth episode of “Setting the Board Agenda,” Brian Stafford, President & CEO of Diligent, sits down with Dr. Homaira Akbari, Board Member of Banco Santander and Landstar Systems, to discuss the importance of cybersecurity at the board level.

Highlights from their conversation include:

• The importance of cybersecurity in board discussions has grown due to increasing breaches and their significant financial and non-financial impacts.
• Ransomware attacks do not differentiate between public and private companies, highlighting the universal need for robust cybersecurity measures.
• Boards face challenges in acquiring the right level of cybersecurity expertise. It is recommended to have at least one, but preferably three, board members with cybersecurity knowledge.
• Regular dialogue between the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and the board is crucial. CISOs should be comfortable discussing the cyber roadmap, challenges and gaps with the board, as boards are there to support them.