IT security has a strategic role to play in your organization. On three fronts, in particular, each a board-level topic that have visible impact on long-term performance:
Business flexibility
New markets, changing regulations, social cultures and M&A are all impacted by the consideration of IT security. By enacting a strategy for security that gives you comprehensive visibility and control, you make security a part of your infrastructure – this makes security automatic in terms of planning and execution, rather than the topic for an emergency weekend meeting. Building in flexibility gives any leader confidence to say yes to attractive opportunities sooner… and gain advantages.
Employee retention
Making security more effective and less burdensome is absolutely achievable. Who hasn’t been annoyed by any system that is difficult to use? Often (and at an operational cost) employees can delay necessary actions, because they need help or simply a time-out before taking another run at security. A comprehensive security program makes security almost invisible and certainly relevant to the activity goal. Security, done right, keeps your team members on track to deliver the needed results on time, as well as reduces frustrations and dissatisfaction and helps everyone feel successful.
Customer satisfaction
In the same vein as employee retention, a changing cultural environment brings changed expectations. Systems that are easy to use are table stakes today. The applications and infrastructure should work as your customers need and can be greatly enhanced with a comprehensive security strategy that incorporates on the operational goals of a given system. Make it easy – build it in from the beginning. Security should be as enabling and reassuring. Depending on the business you are in, IT security could even be your differentiator.
Take a look at IT security from a business point of view. No doubt, many of the pieces you need are already in place. When developing or assessing a security strategy, key questions include:
Asking these questions from the point of view of the business is a good place to start baking in security for strategic advantage.
The post Security as a Business Enabler was written by Technologent Senior Account Executive, Dan Fitzgerald
