ISO/IEC 29147: Why CISOs Must Lead with Visible Vulnerability Disclosure

From Hidden Risks to Visible Trust

Modern security leadership is not only about building defences. It is also about showing the world how you handle risks. If customers, partners, or researchers cannot easily find your vulnerability disclosure process, critical issues may go unreported or surface publicly without your oversight.

This is where ISO/IEC 29147 becomes directly relevant for CISOs and their teams. The standard sets out how organisations should publish a Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (VDP) and make it visible, building consistency, credibility, and trust across industries.

Why ISO/IEC 29147 Matters to Organisations

ISO/IEC 29147 is more than a guideline. It is a framework that helps organisations demonstrate openness and maturity. It asks you to:

• Publish an official Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (VDP) on your corporate website.

• Provide structured reporting channels so external stakeholders know how to disclose responsibly.

• Define scope, timelines, and expectations clearly to avoid ambiguity or legal uncertainty.

• Share advisories once issues are resolved to show transparency and accountability.
  

Why VDP Pages on Official Domains Matter

For CISOs, publishing a VDP on the official corporate domain is not only about compliance. It is a statement of credibility.

• Regulatory relevance: Regulators increasingly expect organizations to have public disclosure policies. A VDP page reduces questions during audits and assessments.

• Customer assurance: Clients see that you have a structured and responsible process for handling security issues.

• Operational efficiency: Researchers and partners know exactly where to send findings, instead of misrouting them to support or sales.

• Reputation and trust: A public disclosure page signals maturity and builds confidence before a breach ever tests your defences.

The CISO’s Strategic Lens

For CISOs and their teams, ISO/IEC 29147 is not a technical checkbox. It is a leadership tool.

• It reduces uncertainty around how disclosures are received and acted upon.

• It turns security from an internal function into a visible, outward commitment.

• It helps set your organisation apart by showing accountability in an area where trust drives competitive advantage.
  

Practical Next Steps for Security Leaders

If you want to align with ISO/IEC 29147 and meet the expectations of regulators, customers, and researchers, you should:

1. Approve a canonical URL such as yourcompany.com/security/vulnerability-disclosure.

2. Publish a clear policy aligned with ISO/IEC 29147 that covers scope, safe-harbor intent, and the reporting process.

3. Review and update the page regularly to keep contacts, technologies, and commitments current.
   

Building Security That Scales

ISO/IEC 29147 is not just about compliance. It is about showing your organization is open, prepared, and trustworthy in the eyes of regulators, customers, and partners.

For CISOs, leading the effort to publish a visible, ISO-aligned VDP page on the official corporate website is a strategic move. It strengthens compliance posture, improves operational clarity, and transforms vulnerability disclosure from a hidden risk into a visible sign of trust.