What are the common challenges and pitfalls of advancing security operations maturity?

1 Lack of visibility

One of the most fundamental challenges of security operations is gaining visibility into the network, systems, assets, and activities of the organization. Without visibility, security teams cannot identify vulnerabilities, anomalies, incidents, or root causes. Lack of visibility can result from various factors, such as siloed data sources, outdated tools, insufficient logging and monitoring, or complex and dynamic environments. To improve visibility, security teams need to integrate and correlate data from multiple sources, use modern and scalable tools, implement comprehensive and consistent logging and monitoring policies, and map and inventory the assets and dependencies in the environment.

2 Skills gap

Another common challenge of security operations is the skills gap, which refers to the shortage of qualified and experienced security professionals who can perform the tasks and roles required for effective security operations. The skills gap can affect the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of security operations, as well as the morale and retention of security staff. The skills gap can be caused by various factors, such as high demand, low supply, rapid technology changes, or inadequate training and development. To address the skills gap, security teams need to invest in hiring, training, and retaining security talent, as well as leverage external resources, such as consultants, vendors, or partners, when needed.

3 Complexity and scalability

A third common challenge of security operations is managing the complexity and scalability of the environment and the security operations itself. As the organization grows and evolves, so do the threats, vulnerabilities, and risks that it faces. The security operations team needs to keep up with the changes and demands of the environment, as well as the volume and variety of data and alerts that it generates. Complexity and scalability can affect the performance, reliability, and cost of security operations, as well as the ability to prioritize and respond to incidents. To cope with complexity and scalability, security teams need to adopt a risk-based and proactive approach, use automation and orchestration tools, and optimize and streamline the processes and workflows of security operations.

4 Communication and collaboration

A fourth common challenge of security operations is fostering effective communication and collaboration among the security team and other stakeholders, such as business units, IT teams, senior management, or external parties. Communication and collaboration are essential for aligning the goals, expectations, and responsibilities of security operations with the needs and interests of the organization, as well as for sharing information, insights, and feedback that can improve security operations. Poor communication and collaboration can result in misunderstandings, conflicts, gaps, or inefficiencies in security operations. To enhance communication and collaboration, security teams need to establish clear and consistent communication channels, protocols, and metrics, as well as build trust and rapport with other stakeholders.

5 Measurement and improvement

A fifth common challenge of security operations is measuring and improving the performance, value, and maturity of security operations. Security operations need to demonstrate that they are delivering the desired outcomes and benefits for the organization, as well as identify and address the areas and opportunities for improvement. However, measuring and improving security operations can be difficult, due to the lack of standardized and relevant metrics, benchmarks, and frameworks, as well as the dynamic and evolving nature of security operations. To facilitate measurement and improvement, security teams need to define and track the key performance indicators (KPIs), key risk indicators (KRIs), and key maturity indicators (KMIs) of security operations, as well as use a maturity model or framework that can guide and assess the progress and maturity of security operations.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?