Why Cybersecurity Professionals Must Understand Delivery: Bridging the Gap Between Strategy and Execution
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Security professionals are expected to possess a deep understanding of networks, threats, vulnerabilities, and defences. However, one key skill that’s often overlooked is the ability to manage delivery the execution and implementation of security initiatives.
Too often, cybersecurity teams focus solely on the technical aspects, handing over the “delivery” portion to programme managers, project teams, or external vendors. This approach can lead to an ability to sell their programmes to the board, delays, misaligned objectives, and, in some cases, a failure to effectively mitigate risks.
Today, where cybersecurity threats evolve rapidly, it's crucial that security professionals not only have strong technical expertise but also understand how to deliver on security initiatives. Cybersecurity is no longer a siloed function; it must be integrated into the broader business strategy, and that requires effective project delivery. This blog will explore why security professionals need to embrace delivery and how doing so enhances both their impact and the overall security posture of the organization.
The Changing Role of Cybersecurity Professionals
Traditionally, cybersecurity professionals were primarily responsible for identifying threats, vulnerabilities, and recommending solutions. Once a plan was formulated, the responsibility for implementation often shifted to other teams, such as IT, project management, or external vendors.
However, the role of cybersecurity professionals is evolving. Today, cybersecurity isn’t just about preventing or responding to attacks—it’s about strategic leadership, risk management, and ensuring that security initiatives are implemented effectively.
To succeed in this expanded role, cybersecurity professionals must understand the entire delivery process, from strategy and design to implementation and monitoring. By doing so, they can help ensure that security projects not only meet technical requirements but also align with business objectives and timelines.
The Importance of End-to-End Ownership
When cybersecurity professionals relinquish delivery to others, it can create a disconnect between the strategy and execution. This divide can result in the misinterpretation of security requirements, incomplete implementations, or even project failures. End-to-end ownership helps mitigate these risks.
Cybersecurity professionals need to be involved throughout the entire lifecycle of a security initiative. From the initial scoping and design phase to implementation and final testing, their involvement ensures that critical security considerations are addressed at every stage. By taking ownership of the delivery process, cybersecurity teams can ensure that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and with the desired security outcomes.**
This level of ownership also fosters accountability. When a cybersecurity professional is involved from start to finish, there is less room for finger-pointing when things go wrong. Instead, the focus shifts to finding solutions and driving continuous improvement.
Aligning Cybersecurity with Business Objectives
One of the biggest challenges in delivering cybersecurity projects is aligning security objectives with broader business goals. Often, security teams focus on achieving technical excellence without considering the operational or financial impact of their initiatives. This is where understanding delivery becomes crucial.
A well-rounded cybersecurity professional knows that delivering on security initiatives requires more than technical expertise. It requires a clear understanding of the business landscape, including timelines, budget constraints, and the impact on other departments. When cybersecurity professionals engage in the delivery process, they can better align security measures with business priorities, making security an enabler of business success rather than a bottleneck.
Understanding delivery also empowers cybersecurity professionals to communicate more effectively with non-technical stakeholders. Whether it's explaining why certain security measures are necessary or demonstrating the ROI of a security investment, being involved in delivery gives cybersecurity professionals the context they need to articulate the value of their work to the broader organization.
Why Cybersecurity Professionals Need to Spend Time Learning Project Management
One of the most important, yet often ignored, aspects of understanding delivery is the need to step outside of cybersecurity and gain project management skills. Cybersecurity professionals, while deeply knowledgeable in their technical fields, often rely too heavily on others to handle the management and coordination of projects. This reliance can lead to problems when the nuances of cybersecurity delivery are misunderstood or deprioritized by project managers who lack specific security expertise.
Cybersecurity professionals must invest time in learning at least the fundamentals of project management. While it’s not necessary to become a certified project management expert, understanding the core elements of managing a project—including timelines, resource allocation, risk management, and stakeholder engagement—will significantly improve how they deliver security initiatives.
By spending time outside of pure cybersecurity tasks and immersing themselves in project management disciplines, professionals can develop:
- Better Time Management: Understanding how to structure and adhere to project timelines is crucial in delivering security initiatives that meet business needs. Delays in security implementation can leave an organization vulnerable to attacks, so knowing how to keep projects on track is essential.
- Resource Planning and Budgeting: Security initiatives often require significant resources, both in terms of personnel and budget. By learning how to manage these resources efficiently, cybersecurity professionals can ensure they’re making the best use of available assets, without overextending the team or the budget.
- Risk Management Beyond Cybersecurity: While cybersecurity professionals are adept at managing technical risks, project management introduces them to broader risks, including operational, financial, and compliance risks. Learning to manage these other risk areas can help ensure a smoother delivery process.
- Stakeholder Communication: Cybersecurity initiatives often involve multiple stakeholders, including executives, IT teams, legal departments, and external vendors. Project management emphasizes clear, consistent communication with all stakeholders, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Improving Efficiency Through Collaboration
Collaboration is key to successful delivery. In complex organizations, security initiatives often require the coordination of multiple teams, including IT, compliance, operations, and even legal departments. When cybersecurity professionals take a hands-on approach to delivery, they are better positioned to collaborate effectively with these teams.
For example, implementing a new security solution might involve working closely with the IT department to ensure that the solution integrates seamlessly into the existing infrastructure. If a cybersecurity professional only focuses on the technical aspects and leaves delivery to another team, important integration details may be overlooked. However, by being involved in delivery, they can ensure that these potential issues are identified and addressed early in the process.
Collaboration also drives agility. In today’s fast-paced environment, projects need to be delivered quickly and efficiently, without sacrificing security. By engaging in the delivery process, cybersecurity professionals can help identify bottlenecks and find ways to streamline workflows, ensuring that security projects are delivered on time and within budget.
Developing Leadership Skills
Finally, understanding delivery helps cybersecurity professionals develop leadership skills. In today’s organizations, cybersecurity professionals are often required to lead cross-functional teams, drive strategic initiatives, and influence decision-making at the highest levels. By embracing the delivery process, cybersecurity professionals can demonstrate their ability to manage complex projects, make informed decisions, and drive outcomes that benefit the entire organization.
Leadership in cybersecurity isn’t just about having the technical know-how; it’s about being able to execute. By mastering both the technical and delivery aspects of cybersecurity, professionals position themselves as valuable leaders who can bridge the gap between strategy and execution.
Conclusion: The New Skillset for Cybersecurity Professionals?
Technical expertise alone is not enough. To succeed, cybersecurity professionals must understand delivery.
They must take ownership of the entire security initiative lifecycle, from strategy to implementation, and ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the desired security outcomes.
By stepping outside their comfort zone to learn project management fundamentals, they can significantly enhance their impact and ultimately, better protect their organizations from evolving threats.
For cybersecurity professionals, the key to success lies in staying informed, embracing proactive security measures, and adopting a mindset of continuous improvement. The threats will not disappear, but with the right strategies and tools, they can be managed effectively.
Roy Whitehead is a veteran CISO, author, speaker, founder and PD who’s expertise covers both Cyber Security and Industrial OT. He has nearly three decades of professional experience across diverse industries, including Financial Services, Retail, Travel, FMCG, Manufacturing, Energy, Government, and Construction.
He’s also a seasoned delivery professional having also led major business and technology programmes too, he excels in selling, simplifying, transforming and commercially-focusing security delivery using a value-for-money and risk-centric approach.
He currently offers fractional, CISO as a service, programme delivery and full-time CISO help.