The CISO’s North Star: How Mission and Values Guide Crisis Communications with David Chamberlin

The Professional CISO

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Professional CISO Show, host David Malicoat sits down with David Chamberlin, Managing Director of Strategic Communications Advisory at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP. With a career spanning journalism, corporate communications, PR, and legal advisory, David brings a unique perspective on how CISOs can navigate crises, build trust, and manage reputational risks.

David shares why CISOs must move beyond “bits and bytes” to become business-first leaders, how to prepare for high-stakes moments, and why relationships with legal, communications, and investor relations teams are critical to success.

🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The three-legged stool of crisis management: Business operations, legal risks, and reputational risks.

• Why trust and relationships are central to a CISO’s role during incidents.

• How to leverage mission, vision, and values to guide crisis communications.

• Practical strategies for CISOs to build relationships with GCs, CMOs, and IR teams.

• Why boards of directors need reputational risk expertise alongside cyber and legal advisors.

• Insights on professionalizing the CISO role to gain credibility and leadership influence.

⏰ Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] David Chamberlin’s journey from journalism to cybersecurity crisis communications.

• [00:10:00] Why professionalizing the CISO role is critical for success.

• [00:15:00] Understanding the intersection of legal and reputational risks.

• [00:23:00] The value of having reputational risk experts on the board.

• [00:33:00] Tactical advice: How CISOs can build key relationships before a crisis hits.

• [00:36:00] Effective communication during incidents: Truth, trust, and managing expectations.

• [00:41:00] Rapid-Fire Round: 10 Questions with David Chamberlin.

🎯 Call to Action:

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🎙️ Guest Information:

David Chamberlin

• Managing Director, Strategic Communications Advisory

• Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

🔍 Related Episodes You’ll Love:

• Gary Hayslip: Global CISO at SoftBank Investment Advisors

• Joey Rachid: CISO at Xerox

• Matt Walker: Managing Director of Security and Compliance at Goosehead Insurance

🔖 Hashtags:

#TheProfessionalCISO #CrisisCommunications #ReputationManagement #CybersecurityLeadership #CISO #CyberResilience #ProfessionalizeTheCISO