What are the most common security risks in system implementation projects?

2 Inadequate testing

Inadequate testing is the failure to test the system thoroughly and rigorously before deployment. It can result from insufficient time, resources, skills, or tools, or from ignoring or skipping testing phases or methods. Inadequate testing can expose security risks by leaving undetected bugs, errors, or flaws in the system that can be exploited by attackers, or by failing to verify the system's compliance with security standards, policies, or regulations. To ensure adequate testing, you should plan and allocate enough time, resources, skills, and tools for testing, follow a systematic testing approach that covers all aspects of the system, use appropriate testing methods and techniques, and document and report the test results and issues.

3 Improper configuration

Improper configuration is the incorrect or inappropriate setting of the system's parameters, options, or features that affect its behavior, performance, or security. It can result from human error, negligence, ignorance, or malice, or from using default or outdated configuration values. Improper configuration can create security risks by weakening the system's security controls, exposing sensitive data, allowing unauthorized access, or enabling malicious actions. To avoid improper configuration, you should follow best practices and guidelines for configuring the system, use secure and customized configuration values, review and audit the configuration settings regularly, and update and patch the system as needed.

4 Insufficient training

Insufficient training is the lack of adequate and relevant training for the system's users, developers, testers, or administrators. It can result from budget constraints, time pressures, or underestimation of the system's complexity or security requirements. Insufficient training can lead to security risks by causing misuse, abuse, or errors in the system, or by leaving the system vulnerable to social engineering, phishing, or other attacks that exploit human weaknesses. To provide sufficient training, you should assess the training needs and objectives of the different groups of users, developers, testers, or administrators, design and deliver effective and engaging training programs that cover the system's features, functions, and security aspects, and evaluate and monitor the training outcomes and feedback.

5 Poor communication

Poor communication is the lack of clear, timely, and consistent communication among the system's stakeholders, such as customers, users, developers, testers, administrators, or managers. It can result from cultural, linguistic, or organizational barriers, or from using ineffective or inappropriate communication channels, tools, or formats. Poor communication can generate security risks by creating confusion, misunderstanding, or conflict, or by missing or misinterpreting important information, requirements, or feedback. To improve communication, you should identify and involve the relevant stakeholders, establish and follow a communication plan and strategy, use suitable and secure communication channels, tools, and formats, and communicate clearly, frequently, and respectfully.

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?