The CISO On The Razor’s Edge Why the role is broken. How to lead anyway. The modern CISO stands at a dangerous intersection—caught between relentless threats, unrealistic expectations, and a system designed to burn them out. The job was supposed to protect the business. But too often, it protects no one—least of all the person in the role. In this sharp, no-fluff manifesto, veteran strategist and founder of Identient, Steve Tout, dismantles the myths of cybersecurity leadership and exposes the hidden design flaws poisoning the CISO role from within. Drawing on years of enterprise and consulting experience, real-world insights from Candid CISO conversations, and brutal truths from the frontlines, he delivers a bold new playbook for surviving—and leading—on the edge. In this book, you’ll learn how to: Reframe your role through systems thinking and strategic alignment - Apply real options theory to cybersecurity decision-making - Build trust and influence across CIOs, CFOs, and the board - Identify and repair structural dysfunctions that lead to burnout and failure - Lead even when you don’t have full control—through clarity, coalition, and courage This isn’t a book about certifications, checklists, or compliance. It’s about power, purpose, and performance. It’s about reclaiming the CISO role as a force for transformation—not burnout. Whether you're a CISO on the brink, a cybersecurity leader aspiring to the top job, or an executive trying to understand why security leadership keeps breaking down—this book is your lens, your mirror, and your roadmap forward. Because the edge isn’t a place to fear. It’s where real leadership begins.