The Security Playbook

12 Steps to Excellence in Managing Security

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Advancing Security: Organizational Challenges

Many organizations face the following challenges as they try to drive Security forward with the organization:

Misaligned security goals frustrate key stakeholders.

Security services fail to deliver value and don’t mitigate the right risks.

Skills and resources to tackle modern security challenges are scarce.

Bureaucratic bottlenecks and slow approvals paralyze business momentum.

Security risks are everywhere but resources are finite.

Immature security processes leave us exposed to rapidly evolving threats.

Complex compliance requirements are constantly changing.

Bloated, legacy architectures create hidden vulnerabilities and slow us down.

  • 67%
    of respondents to Info-Tech’s Security Business Satisfaction Diagnostic reported security creates significant business friction.
  • 67%
    of CISOs believe there are excessive expectations on the CISO/CSO role, up from 49% in 2022, and 21% in 2021. (Netskope, 2024)
  • 70%
    Stories of CISOs being held personally and criminally liable for incidents is souring incumbents on their own role.

CXO-CIO Alignment Diagnostic; Jun 2022 to Jun 2024

Focus on These 8 Core Secrets Is Critical to Success as a Security Leader.

There is a constant stream of urgent tasks and projects, and the demand for IT work continues to escalate.

1
Align your strategy to changing needs.
2
Focus on service levels over operational metrics.
3
Develop instead of hire for in-demand skills.
4
Increase security decision velocity.
5
Contextualize risks as financial and operational impacts.
6
Validate runbooks through scenario-based testing.
7
Drive risk-aware business decisions.
8
Cut through complexity and protect what matters.
9
Abolish access friction.
10
Inspire behavioral change.
11
Optimize through a capability-first approach.
12
Automate to innovate.

The Security Playbook

12 Steps to Excellence in Managing Security

Our 12-step process has been proven across maturity levels, and each step comes with a matrix of methodologies, tools, and templates that's right for you.

Structured, Actionable, 12-Step Framework

Clear activities to delegate to your team

Customizable initiatives with measurable results

Our highest-value advisory engagements

A proven path to Security excellence

3
Mar

Cyber Workforce Development

Develop Instead of Hire for In-Demand Skills
Identify Cybersecurity Competency Gaps Train Your Cybersecurity Workforce Hire or Develop a World-Class CISO
5
May

Security Risk Management

Contextualize Risks as Financial and Operational Impacts
Assess and Manage Security Risks Address Security and Privacy Risks for Generative AI Assess Vendor Security
Legend
Assessments & Diagnostics
Strategy & Planning
Implementation & Training

Benefits of the Program

Your security team has the potential to be the powerhouse that drives your organization to new heights. With our targeted improvement plan, you won’t just keep up – you’ll redefine the game. Let’s make security the catalyst for your organization’s next big success.

A Proven Methodology

A proven methodology to lead Information Security, offering a superior alternative to ad hoc advisory engagements.

A Structured Framework

A calendar with 12 actionable steps aligned to the information security leader’s most pressing priorities.

High-Value Advisory Engagements

High-value advisory engagements that deliver tangible results.

Clear Activities You Can Delegate

Clear activities you can delegate to your team with Guided Implementations and actionable best practices.

Customizable Initiatives With Measurable Results

Customizable initiatives with measurable results that align with your organizational, departmental, and personal goals, with annual proof of improvement.

How Security Systematic Improvement Works:

Commit to your Evolution

  • Contact your Counselor to learn more about the Security Playbook.
  • Become familiar with the Security Playbook benefits, steps, expectations, and deliverables.

Assess your Team Performance

  • Build your Security scorecard based on your personal success metrics and targets.
  • Conduct your Annual Security Department Assessment by evaluating your team’s performance of each step based on your current business context and performance goals.
  • This will result in a prioritized set of steps for which to leverage Info-Tech’s support in your first year.​

Customize Your Playbook

  • Create your individual systematic improvement key initiatives plan, which will include your top 2-3 Playbook initiatives with your Counselor​.
  • Leverage Info-Tech's Diagnostics, Advisory Guided Implementations, Workshops, and Consulting experiences to customize and expedite your progress.​
  • Identify key contributors to the 12 monthly steps (direct reports) and delegate​.

Stay on Track & Accelerate

  • Quarterly, connect with your Counselor to review progress on the remaining Playbook activities and determine if you would like additional assistance with any of them.​

Celebrate Wins & Evolve

  • At the end of each year, you will review and measure your progress across each of the 12 areas through quantifiable success measures. ​

Be Future Ready. Get Your IT Department Started Now.

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