One of the most overlooked challenges in cybersecurity governance isn’t the technology itself, it’s the communication. For many institutions, the gap between information security teams and executive leadership can lead to misunderstandings, misalignment, and missed opportunities. That’s where the executive reporting capabilities of the Cybersecurity Assessment Toolkit (CAT) truly shine.
Why Executive Reporting Matters
Let’s be honest, your board and executive team likely aren’t cybersecurity experts. That’s not their fault. The depth and complexity of cybersecurity frameworks, risk assessments, and control maturity models aren’t part of their day-to-day roles. But they are responsible for approving budgets, setting strategic direction, and ensuring the institution stays within regulatory bounds.
So how do you bridge that knowledge gap?
This is where the CAT’s executive reporting functionality has proven to be a game-changer. It provides a simplified, visual way to communicate your organization’s cybersecurity posture, without diving into the weeds of technical jargon or 500-question assessments.
Translating Complexity into Clarity
At the heart of the CAT’s reporting feature is a dashboard that maps your institution’s cybersecurity maturity against its inherent risk profile. Think of it as a high-level view that puts your security posture into context.
Across the top, the tool presents your inherent risk score, ranging from Least to Most. This score is determined by the answers your team provides in the assessment. Below that, your maturity level is plotted, from Baseline and Evolving all the way up to Innovative.
Here’s where it becomes valuable to the C-suite:
If your institution scores as “Minimal to Moderate” on inherent risk, the report shows exactly where your maturity needs to be. Not in the weeds. Not in the fine print. Just a clear visual that tells your executive team, “We’re here, and we need to be here.”
For example, a moderate risk profile doesn’t call for a baseline maturity. Instead, you should be aiming toward Intermediate or even Advanced controls. If you’re approaching “Significant” on the risk scale, that’s a signal to move even higher on the maturity model. It’s that simple.
This visual clarity removes the need for executives to understand every technical detail. Instead, it empowers them to engage in strategic conversations, “What are we missing?” “Are we over or underinvested?” “Are we meeting expectations for our risk level?”
Preparing for the Sunset of the CAT
As the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool approaches its sunset date (August 31, 2025), many institutions are scrambling to figure out what comes next. For those who have relied on CAT’s structured approach, the transition can feel uncertain. But it also presents a rare opportunity: to rethink how we communicate cybersecurity risk and readiness from the ground up.
Executive reporting must remain central in that transition. The ability to present complex cybersecurity data in a clear, meaningful way isn’t just helpful, it’s critical. It allows leaders to understand gaps, evaluate progress, and align strategic goals with risk management objectives.
Turning Change into Innovation
With the sunset of the CAT, institutions are at a crossroads. This isn’t just about finding a new tool, it’s about reimagining how cybersecurity governance fits into your overall strategy.
At Finosec, we see this as a unique opportunity to innovate in how you manage cybersecurity governance. The CAT’s executive reporting feature has shown us what’s possible: bridging the technical and the strategic, the detailed and the big picture.
Now, we can go a step further.
By modernizing how we communicate cyber risk, especially to non-technical stakeholders, we create a culture of shared accountability and informed decision making. That’s how real governance is built.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
If the executive reporting capability of the CAT sparked your interest, we’d love to show you more. We’re hosting a webinar to explore what’s next and how your institution can take full advantage of this transition period. You’ll see firsthand how to simplify cybersecurity governance while maintaining regulatory expectations, and even exceeding them.
Join us, and let’s rethink what innovation in cybersecurity governance really looks like.
