1. Opportunities

<p>An interview with a very senior manager is a superb opportunity, but it carries some risks too. The main opportunities are:</p>

<ul>

<li>To build a relationship with a senior executive who will, through this relationship, become a friend and an ally</li>

<li>To sell the benefi ts of the security architecture programme at a senior level, developing buy-in, support and endorsement, and perhaps recruiting another champion to carry your fl ag and defend your position</li>

<li>To gain real insight into the strategic direction of the organisation and how that will drive business requirements for information security</li>

<li>To ensure that you are hearing business requirements from key decision makers, and thus getting a true picture, especially when it comes to looking to the future of the organisation and its upcoming business opportunities and strategies</li>

<li>To understand the risk issues that really concern the senior management and to get some perspective on the relative ranking of risks</li>

<li>To validate the input gathered at less senior levels to ensure that what you are being told at those levels really is true, and not just wishful thinking</li>

<li>To communicate to senior management that you are approaching this programme from a business perspective, that you understand business issues, and that the value proposition is based upon providing business benefit. Once they understand that this is your philosophy they should be much more supportive and much more willing to discuss these matters with you.</li>

</ul>