How to Create Collaboration and Shared Goals with IT and Security Teams
In today’s ITSM landscape, merging IT operations and security practices is no longer “ideal”, but imperative. According to a recent Gartner® Board of Directors Survey 1, 88% of respondents indicated that their organization perceives cybersecurity as a business risk. This was up from 58% in 2016, which we believe highlights the necessity for a cohesive strategy integrating these disciplines amidst rapid digital transformation. While IT departments focus on ensuring service delivery through building teams, processes, budgets, and priorities, cybersecurity departments prioritize risk mitigation and management. This division, if not acknowledged and addressed, can lead to inefficiencies or even significant problems. Inspired by insights from a Gartner report, this blog delves into the importance of creating shared goals between IT and security teams, utilizing Qualys Patch Management to streamline this integration.
The Importance of Integrated Cybersecurity Strategies
Historically (and currently for some), IT and security functions often operated in silos, leading to disjointed efforts and gaps in the security framework. However, as threats become more complex, the necessity for a unified approach has become evident. Integrating cybersecurity directly into ITSM practices is essential for enhancing security measures and ensuring that these measures align with broader business objectives.
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Challenges in IT and Security Integration
- Siloed Operations: Traditional setups see IT and security teams working with separate tools and processes, leading to inefficiencies and a fragmented approach to digital threats.
- Resource Allocation: Allocating the necessary resources to incorporate security as a core aspect of IT operations often stretches organizational capabilities.
- Lack of Real-Time Data Sharing: The absence of a unified system for tracking assets, incidents, and vulnerabilities can lead to delayed responses and potential breaches.
How Qualys Addresses These Challenges
Qualys Patch Management, integrated with Vulnerability Management, Detection, and Response (VMDR), addresses these challenges by:
- Unifying Platforms: It merges asset, vulnerability, risk, and patch management into a single platform, aligning the goals and operations of IT and security teams, while enabling 43% faster remediation through automated vulnerability correlation.
- Automating Patch Management: By implementing smart automation and zero-touch patching, it achieves a 90% improvement in patch rates, streamlining the update process with remarkable efficiency.
- Prioritizing Based on Risk: Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, it prioritizes vulnerabilities based on actual risk, focusing on those that are actively exploited in the wild.
Strategic Benefits of Shared Goals
Creating shared goals between IT and security teams leads to several strategic benefits:
- Enhanced Risk Management: By integrating risk management directly into the IT service lifecycle, organizations can ensure that every aspect of IT operations considers security implications, thereby reducing overall exposure to risks.
- Increased Operational Efficiency: Unified tools reduce redundancy and streamline processes, lowering costs and accelerating response times to potential threats.
- Improved Compliance and Resilience: A cohesive strategy enhances the ability to comply with regulatory requirements and increases the resilience of digital services against attacks.
Implementing Qualys Patch Management for Integrated Cybersecurity
Implementing Qualys Patch Management involves several key steps to ensure that IT and security teams can leverage its full potential:
- Integration into Existing ITSM Frameworks: Integrating Qualys Patch Management into an organization’s existing ITSM framework ensures that security patching becomes a standardized component of regular maintenance and support routines. Such integration has yielded a substantial increase in efficiency, often leading to a Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) of 60%, enhancing the organization’s ability to respond to vulnerabilities swiftly, while also allowing IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance tasks.
- Continuous Threat Exposure Management: Establishing continuous monitoring and threat analysis ensures that the organization can proactively respond to new vulnerabilities as they emerge.
- Collaborative Workflows: By fostering a collaborative environment, both teams can work together more effectively, sharing insights and data that improve decision-making and risk management through a single-agent cloud platform.
Strategic Recommendations
As digital ecosystems continue to evolve, the role of integrated ITSM and cybersecurity will only grow in importance. Organizations should:
- Invest in Training: Equip IT and security teams with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize integrated tools effectively.
- Adopt a Proactive Mindset: Move from a reactive to a proactive cybersecurity strategy, focusing on prevention rather than just response.
- Leverage Advanced Analytics: Use data insights to inform strategic decisions and continuously refine security practices.
Conclusion
Integrating IT and security through platforms like Qualys Patch Management represents a significant step forward in how organizations manage, mitigate, and de-risk their business. In an era where cyber threats are continuously evolving, the collaboration of IT and security teams is more than a strategic advantage—it is necessary for any organization aiming to thrive in a digitally driven marketplace. By leveraging this integrated approach, organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture, streamline operations, and drive better business outcomes.
Learn more about how to integrate cybersecurity into your ITSM practice.
1Source: Gartner, How to Integrate Cybersecurity in Your ITSM Practice, Chris Laske, Joe Rogus, Craig Porter, 24 August 2023
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