Breaking Down Silos Aligning IT and Security Teams

A growing crisis is emerging in corporate cybersecurity operations, where organizational silos between IT and security teams are creating dangerous blind spots and slowing critical threat response times.

New research reveals that 72% of organizations report that their security and IT operational data remain siloed, contributing to corporate misalignment and elevated security risks that could prove catastrophic in today’s rapidly evolving threat landscape.

The consequences of this fragmentation are stark and immediate. According to recent findings, 63% of IT and security professionals report that siloed data significantly slows security response times.

In comparison, 54% acknowledge that these data silos actively weaken their organization’s overall security posture. Perhaps most concerning, 41% of professionals struggle to collaboratively manage cybersecurity across their organizations, creating gaps that threat actors are increasingly exploiting.

The High Cost of Organizational Fragmentation

The financial implications of these security gaps are staggering.

Industry data shows that 70% of organizations with data silos suffered a security breach in the past 24 months, mainly because fragmented defenses make it nearly impossible for security teams to coordinate their efforts and identify threats holistically.

With cybercrime costs projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, the urgency of addressing these organizational inefficiencies has never been greater.

“While data silos can be a technology issue, resolving them and gaining a comprehensive understanding of an organization’s risk landscape requires leadership,” explains Jeff Abbott, CEO of Ivanti.

“CIOs and CISOs are at odds. They face a tug-of-war challenge between enabling employee productivity while ensuring data security, which can lead to an increase in cyberattacks”.

Shifting Organizational Structures Signal Change

Recognition of these challenges is driving significant changes in corporate reporting structures.

Recent surveys show that approximately 20.4% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) now report directly to their organization’s CEO, with an even higher percentage—38.8%—reporting to other C-suite executives such as the CTO, CFO, or General Counsel. 

This represents a notable shift from traditional models where security is often reported through IT hierarchies.

The evolution reflects a broader understanding that cybersecurity has moved beyond technical implementation to become a core business enabler.

Technology Business Management practices are helping CIOs and CISOs transform from technical caretakers to strategic business enablers, managing technological investments based on business value rather than mere technical metrics.

Proven Strategies for Breaking Down Barriers

Organizations successfully addressing these challenges implement several key strategies. First, they establish shared goals where IT and security teams align their objectives to support broader business priorities.

Organizations setting common key performance indicators ensure that both teams work toward the same security and operational outcomes.

Communication improvements represent another critical factor.

Regular cross-functional meetings and shared reporting structures enhance information flow between IT and security teams, creating transparency that prevents misunderstandings and ensures security considerations are embedded in IT projects from the outset.

The most successful organizations are also implementing joint training programs that help IT professionals understand security best practices while equipping security teams with a better understanding of IT operations.

This cross-pollination of knowledge is essential for building genuinely collaborative environments.

Technology Solutions Enable Collaboration

On the technology front, organizations are investing in unified technology stacks that integrate seamlessly with IT infrastructure, eliminating compatibility issues and streamlining security monitoring.

For example, centralized identity and access management platforms provide both IT and security teams with better visibility and control over user access.

Advanced threat intelligence platforms facilitate better collaboration by enabling real-time information sharing and automated threat response.

These platforms allow teams that previously worked in isolation to establish cross-functional working relationships that defy traditional silos.

The Path Forward

The evidence is clear that organizations can no longer afford to maintain separate IT and security operations.

The benefits of collaboration—including faster threat detection and response, improved efficiency, better regulatory compliance, and enhanced operational effectiveness—far outweigh the challenges of organizational change.

Success requires strong executive support, with senior leadership championing cross-functional initiatives and ensuring IT and security teams have the resources to work together effectively.

As one security expert noted, “For security silos to break apart, top-down support and understanding is required. Executives need to align on how security objectives support business objectives.

The organizations that act decisively to break down these silos will be better positioned to defend against increasingly sophisticated threats while enabling the business agility necessary for competitive success in the digital economy.

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