drj logo

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Zip Code*
Please enter a number from 0 to 100.
Strength indicator
I agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy*
Yes, of course I want to receive emails from DRJ!
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Already have an account? Log in

drj logo

Welcome to DRJ

Already registered user? Please login here

Login Form

Register
Forgot password? Click here to reset

Create new account
(it's completely free). Subscribe

x
DRJ Fall 2025 Dallas Show
Skip to content
Disaster Recovery Journal
  • EN ESPAÑOL
  • SIGN IN
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • THE JOURNAL
    • Why Subscribe to DRJ
    • Digital Edition
    • Article Submission
    • DRJ Annual Resource Directories
    • Article Archives
    • Career Spotlight
  • EVENTS
    • DRJ Fall 2025
    • DRJ Spring 2026 Call for Papers
    • DRJ Scholarship
    • Other Industry Events
    • Schedule & Archive
    • Send Your Feedback
  • WEBINARS
    • Upcoming Webinars
    • On Demand
  • MENTOR PROGRAM
  • DRJ ACADEMY
    • DRJ Academy
    • Beginner’s Guide to BC
  • RESOURCES
    • New to Business Continuity?
    • White Papers
    • DR Rules and Regs
    • Planning Groups
    • Business Resilience Decoded
    • DRJ Glossary of Business Continuity Terms
    • Careers
  • ABOUT
    • Advertise with DRJ
    • DEI
    • Board and Committees
      • Executive Council Members
      • Editorial Advisory Board
      • Career Development Committee
      • Glossary Committee
      • Rules and Regulations Committee
  • Podcast

The Crucial Role of a Trustworthy Consultant in Building a Sustainable Program: A CIO Perspective

by Jon Seals | September 29, 2023 | | 0 comments

By Anis Trabelsi

As a CIO with experience working with various consultants, I understand the importance of finding the right partner, especially in the realm of cybersecurity. Many consultants prioritize financial gains over personalized solutions, making it crucial to seek out ethical, committed and knowledgeable experts. In this article, I will highlight the key factors that make a good consultant, emphasizing the need for trust, a personal touch and a focus on tailored solutions.

Seeking References and Personal Contacts

A reliable consultant should have no hesitation providing references from previous clients who can vouch for their professionalism and quality of work. However, don’t rely solely on provided references; take the initiative to seek out your own contacts within the industry to gather additional insights into the consultant’s reputation and performance.

Inquisitiveness and Calmness

The right consultant will ask thoughtful questions and remain calm, avoiding rushing into generic solutions. Their inquisitive nature demonstrates their commitment to understanding your organization’s unique challenges and tailoring solutions accordingly.

Focus on Knowledge Transfer

A good consultant should not be interested in just providing a quick fix; they should be dedicated to transferring knowledge to your internal team. Empowering your staff with the necessary skills ensures that your organization can maintain the benefits of the consultant’s expertise long after the engagement ends.

Establishing a Personal Connection

Building trust is vital for any successful consultant-client relationship. Seek a consultant who values a personal touch and loyalty to your organization’s mission. A strong personal connection fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for achieving common goals.

Trial Period Evaluation

Consider implementing a trial period before committing to a long-term engagement. This allows both parties to assess compatibility, working styles and expectations. The 90-day relationship rule should apply to business as well, a trial period provides an opportunity to determine how well the consultant fits into your organization’s culture and values. For example, I knew after a couple weeks of working with WiredSecurity that they were the right fit for our hospital system.

Creating Tailored Solutions

Beware of consultants who offer one-size-fits-all solutions. A reliable consultant will analyze your organization’s specific challenges, objectives and resources to create a customized cybersecurity program that aligns perfectly with your unique needs. When it comes to cybersecurity, ethical behavior is non-negotiable. A trustworthy consultant must genuinely care about the security and wellbeing of your organization, putting your interests before their financial gains. Look for a partner who shares your ethical principles and values, committed to protecting your organization from potential threats.

Conclusion

Choosing the right consultant for your cybersecurity needs is paramount to building a sustainable program that effectively protects your organization. Focus on ethics, trust and personal connection, and seek out partners who are committed to providing tailored solutions and transferring knowledge. By doing so, you can ensure a successful and long-lasting consultant-client relationship that contributes to your organization’s security and prosperity.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anis Trabelsi

With extensive security experience, Anis Trabelsi has led the Palomar Health security team since 2016, serving as the former Chief Security Officer and the current Chief Information Officer. As Chief Information Officer, he leads the IT Department, Cybersecurity Office and physical security functions to align key processes with regulatory compliance and with the vision, goals and objectives for reimagining healthcare security at Palomar Health. 

With an impressive and diverse background, Anis retired as a decorated law enforcement officer in 2016 and served honorably in the United States Marine Corps before that. He holds a master’s degree in management from the University of Redlands and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Phoenix. 

Related Content

  1. Disaster Recovery Journal
    Increasing Energy + Engagement To Drive Program Effectiveness
  2. Disaster Recovery Journal
    The Six Core Ingredients Every Program Needs
  3. Disaster Recovery Journal
    2020 Vision: Refocusing Your Program for the New Year

Recent Posts

Securing Your Last Line of Defense — Part 2: Backup Data Security

July 18, 2025

Mark43 Expands UK Presence with New Manchester Office

July 17, 2025

Lansweeper Acquires Redjack, Strengthening its Position as the Global Leader in Technology Asset Intelligence

July 17, 2025

Microsoft Highlights Long-Time Partner Visus After it Helps Santa Barbara County Surveyor’s Office Digitize Slow-Moving Paper Processes

July 17, 2025

Zimperium Warns of Surge in Mobile Cyber Threats as Summer Travel Heats Up

July 17, 2025

Strata Identity Introduces Maverics Identity Orchestration for AI Agents to Secure, Control, and Observe Agentic Behaviors

July 17, 2025

Archives

  • July 2025 (41)
  • June 2025 (54)
  • May 2025 (59)
  • April 2025 (91)
  • March 2025 (57)
  • February 2025 (47)
  • January 2025 (73)
  • December 2024 (82)
  • November 2024 (41)
  • October 2024 (87)
  • September 2024 (61)
  • August 2024 (65)
  • July 2024 (48)
  • June 2024 (55)
  • May 2024 (70)
  • April 2024 (79)
  • March 2024 (65)
  • February 2024 (73)
  • January 2024 (66)
  • December 2023 (49)
  • November 2023 (80)
  • October 2023 (67)
  • September 2023 (53)
  • August 2023 (72)
  • July 2023 (45)
  • June 2023 (61)
  • May 2023 (50)
  • April 2023 (60)
  • March 2023 (69)
  • February 2023 (54)
  • January 2023 (71)
  • December 2022 (54)
  • November 2022 (59)
  • October 2022 (66)
  • September 2022 (72)
  • August 2022 (65)
  • July 2022 (66)
  • June 2022 (53)
  • May 2022 (55)
  • April 2022 (60)
  • March 2022 (65)
  • February 2022 (50)
  • January 2022 (46)
  • December 2021 (39)
  • November 2021 (38)
  • October 2021 (39)
  • September 2021 (50)
  • August 2021 (77)
  • July 2021 (63)
  • June 2021 (42)
  • May 2021 (43)
  • April 2021 (50)
  • March 2021 (60)
  • February 2021 (16)
  • January 2021 (554)
  • December 2020 (30)
  • November 2020 (35)
  • October 2020 (48)
  • September 2020 (57)
  • August 2020 (52)
  • July 2020 (40)
  • June 2020 (72)
  • May 2020 (46)
  • April 2020 (59)
  • March 2020 (46)
  • February 2020 (28)
  • January 2020 (36)
  • December 2019 (22)
  • November 2019 (11)
  • October 2019 (36)
  • September 2019 (44)
  • August 2019 (77)
  • July 2019 (117)
  • June 2019 (106)
  • May 2019 (49)
  • April 2019 (47)
  • March 2019 (24)
  • February 2019 (37)
  • January 2019 (12)
  • ARTICLES & NEWS

    • Business Continuity
    • Disaster Recovery
    • Crisis Management & Communications
    • Risk Management
    • Article Archives
    • Industry News

    THE JOURNAL

    • Digital Edition
    • Advertising & Media Kit
    • Submit an Article
    • Career Spotlight

    RESOURCES

    • White Papers
    • Rules & Regulations
    • FAQs
    • Glossary of Terms
    • Industry Groups
    • Business & Resource Directory
    • Business Resilience Decoded
    • Careers

    EVENTS

    • Fall 2025
    • Spring 2025

    WEBINARS

    • Watch Now
    • Upcoming

    CONTACT

    • Article Submission
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us

    ABOUT DRJ

    Disaster Recovery Journal is the industry’s largest resource for business continuity, disaster recovery, crisis management, and risk management, reaching a global network of more than 138,000 professionals. Offering weekly webinars, the latest industry news, rules and regulations, podcasts, the industry’s only official mentoring program, a quarterly magazine, and two annual live conferences, DRJ is leading the way to keep professionals up-to-date and connected in an ever-changing world.

    LEARN MORE

    LINKEDIN AND TWITTER

    Disaster Recovery Journal is the leading publication/event covering business continuity/disaster recovery.

    Follow us for daily updates

    LinkedIn

    @drjournal

    Newsletter

    The Journal, right in your inbox.

    Be informed and stay connected by getting the latest in news, events, webinars and whitepapers on Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.

    Subscribe Now
    Copyright 2025 Disaster Recovery Journal
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Register to win a Free Pass to DRJ Fall 2025 | Building Resiliency Through Innovation

    Leave your details below for a chance to win a free pass to DRJ Fall 2025 | Building Resiliency Through Innovation. The winner will be announced on August 11. Join us for DRJ’s 73rd Conference!

    Enter Now