Project management and cybersecurity go hand in hand these days. Planning and implementing a business/IT project is nearly impossible without being able to control the IT environment and security issues together. 

Here’s why cyber security and project management need to go hand in hand:

Both need proper planning in place.

The one skill that is crucial for project managers is good planning skills. And this is also a critical skill for cyber security professionals. Cyber security is like project management in that it’s all about time management and preparing for any scenario. Something project managers have to factor into their plan is the chance of cyber security risks. When the two teams talk together, the project manager will learn how to plan for any potential risks or threats. A Incident Response plan can be enforced if the project manager has the right training and knows how to respond with agility.

Data security is prevalent for both roles.

Each project requires the storing of customer data. It’s crucial that both roles know how project logs are stored, shared, and categorized. Any sort of breach to data can affect the progress of a project. That’s why it’s essential for project managers to know how much data is being stored on the servers, what devices are being used, etc.

It’s on the IT and Project Management teams to educate employees.

A project manager should ensure that those taking part in the project know the potential security threats and risks involved. And this first comes from training from the IT team. Cyber security training is typically done in the employee onboarding process, but is too often left at that. If the IT team can regularly train it’s employees on cyber security issues, with extended education to the project manager, the two can work together to make sure employees stay on track. Being knowledgeable in this area will allow employees to make proactive decisions and report to higher management if something has gone wrong.

Cyber security is crucial in every project.

While there may be some projects that require more cyber security/IT collaboration, it’s a common theme among all projects. Especially if the project manager or IT person is a contractor, it’s even more essential both parties are aware of the factors and risks. Having both teams involved will also demonstrate the investment in the project and it’s success by your team and stakeholders. Without knowing the security solutions used by your organization, you might end up facing trust issues with clients and delaying the overall project. Especially if clients are expecting you to deal with security issues yourself.

Need someone on deck to help with your organization’s cyber security endeavors? Thinline Technologies has you covered! Visit our services page for more info and contact us today.