Even mature companies that make a serious effort to prioritize both security and privacy may still overlook key vulnerabilities. As a result, CISOs may be held accountable for data ethics issues, vendor carelessness, and inter-team conflicts. When a privacy violation occurs, they might find themselves having to answer harsh questions. 

Still, despite these added responsibilities, their tech stack, teams, and protocols may not yet reflect this shift. The following factors contribute to the dissonance between the expectations they face and the operational reality. 

When teams work in silos, you lose crucial visibility

A recent study by Deloitte found that most privacy roles are understaffed and are often assigned to various disconnected teams across the organization. Privacy, IT, and security teams typically focus on different aspects. These teams operate with different priorities and reporting structures, yet CISOs are expected to provide centralized accountability.

If privacy teams cannot see how data flows through IT systems, or if security teams are unaware of which vendors are accessing personal data, severe risks can slip through the cracks. Proper protection demands strong collaboration and shared visibility. That is where a solution like Mine’s portal becomes essential, creating a single source of truth for everyone involved.

Ownership confusion creates dangerous gaps

Another common problem is that responsibility for data privacy tasks is often unclear. With only 28% of companies forming dedicated data ethics teams, many questions remain unanswered. 

Who is responsible for verifying that a vendor remains compliant? Which executive has visibility into the real-time behavior of third-party vendors? Who tracks how a new API affects data usage? In many organizations, these questions are passed around like a hot potato until something goes wrong. 

Some companies have dedicated privacy teams. Many do not. And even with a privacy team in place, it is easy for new risks to form when processes are not well defined.

Building joint workflows, assigning clear responsibilities, and making sure everyone works from the same dynamic data inventory helps prevent issues. 

Third-party risks grow bigger 

From a security-focused perspective, third-party risks involve a leak or attack through a vendor or tool. In the privacy universe, the risk is that user data is collected, processed, or shared in ways that violate regulations and user trust. Most companies are already aware that vendors and external applications need to be monitored for security, but too many overlook the fact that third parties can also pose significant privacy compliance risks.

Whenever the organization onboards a new vendor, connects a new API, or integrates a new AI engine, it introduces new flows of personal data. If these connections are not properly audited and monitored, you might be violating privacy regulations without even realizing it. Since 78% of consumers feel that it is the organization’s responsibility to employ AI ethically, the connection between emerging technologies and user trust cannot be ignored.  

The speed of vendor onboarding today is unmatched. CISOs need tools that interpret behavior over time, understand the business context, and reach privacy-focused conclusions. Mine’s third-party risk management features help companies continuously monitor who is accessing their data, how it is being used, and whether it matches their original agreements and policies.

Static data maps are irrelevant

Many organizations create a data map once and then neglect to update it. That map may have been accurate when it was created, but it quickly became outdated as technology, vendor lists, and regulations evolved.

Mine’s dynamic inventory updates your data map in real time. You always know which vendors, tools, and internal processes interact with personal data, and you can catch vulnerabilities early, before they grow into real threats.

Automation unlocks better expertise

Trying to manage privacy risks manually is overwhelming. The amount of data, vendors, and regulations to track continues to grow every year. Without automation, teams spend too much time chasing down basic information and not enough time on tasks that require their expertise, such as analyzing risks and refining processes.

Mine helps by automating repetitive privacy tasks. Our platform automatically flags risks, tracks third-party behavior, and monitors for compliance issues. This provides CISOs with proof of oversight, reduces audit preparation time, and builds a defensible position in the event of a breach or regulatory inquiry.

Turning blind spots into opportunities

Blind spots aren’t only technical but also organizational, and for CISOs, eliminating them is a matter of strategic leadership. At the same time, every blind spot you uncover is an opportunity. Better visibility means fewer risks, faster responses, and greater trust with your users. It also puts you ahead of regulatory changes, instead of constantly scrambling to catch up.

When you treat privacy blind spots seriously and invest in continuous monitoring and collaboration, you build an organization that can adapt and grow with confidence.