In an article for CISO Compass, CEO and CISO, Lee Parrish, deftly uses a colonoscopy metaphor to illustrate the difference between security and compliance.This isn't his first foray into thinking outside the box to explain cybersecurity. Parrish has published numerous articles and even written a children's book on security, entitled, “Cyber Sam, The Alexander Connection." He's also had a front-row seat in cybersecurity for over 20 years, witnessing firsthand the rise in concern for all its associated risks. And while cybersecurity and compliance are not one in the same, Parrish is quick to note that the latter is certainly "something we should all strive for."Tune in for episode 9 of the CISO Stories podcast series, where Parrish speaks with Todd Fitzgerald, vice president of cybersecurity strategy at Cybersecurity Collaborative. They discuss the article Parrish wrote for CISO Compass, The Colonoscopy of Cybersecurity. In it, he compares his regular annual check-up at the doctor with a routine screening for life insurance. Which one is security and which one is compliance? You'll have to listen to find out.
As cybersecurity's role expands from technical operations to enterprise risk governance, the Q3 2025 "CISO Top 10" rankings offer a critical pulse check on where cybersecurity leadership is focusing.