How can Information Security professionals collaborate with business partners?

1 Understand the business context

One of the first steps to effective collaboration is to understand the business context of your partners. What are their goals, challenges, risks, and opportunities? How do they measure success and value? How do they use and depend on data and systems? By learning about their needs and pain points, you can tailor your communication and solutions to address them. You can also demonstrate your interest and respect for their work and show them how InfoSec can support and enable their objectives.

2 Communicate clearly and frequently

Another key factor for collaboration is clear and frequent communication. InfoSec professionals should avoid using jargon, acronyms, or technical details that may confuse or overwhelm their business partners. Instead, they should use simple and concise language that explains the benefits, risks, and trade-offs of different options. They should also listen actively and empathetically to their partners' feedback, concerns, and questions. By communicating regularly and transparently, you can build rapport and trust with your partners and ensure that they are informed and engaged throughout the process.

3 Align on roles and expectations

A common source of conflict or misunderstanding in collaboration is the lack of clarity on roles and expectations. InfoSec professionals should define and communicate their scope, responsibilities, deliverables, and timelines clearly and early in the project. They should also clarify the roles and expectations of their business partners, such as their involvement, input, approval, and support. By aligning on these aspects, you can avoid duplication, confusion, or delays and ensure that everyone is on the same page and accountable for their tasks.

4 Provide education and guidance

One of the ways that InfoSec professionals can add value and enhance collaboration is by providing education and guidance to their business partners. InfoSec professionals can share their knowledge and expertise on best practices, standards, policies, and tools that can help their partners improve their security awareness and posture. They can also provide guidance on how to handle common or emerging threats, incidents, or vulnerabilities that may affect their data or systems. By providing education and guidance, you can empower your partners to make informed and secure decisions and foster a culture of security within the organization.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

The last tip for collaboration is to seek feedback and improvement from your business partners. InfoSec professionals should not assume that their solutions are perfect or final. They should solicit and welcome feedback from their partners on how they can improve their performance, quality, or satisfaction. They should also be open to learning from their partners' experiences, insights, or suggestions. By seeking feedback and improvement, you can show your commitment to continuous learning and improvement and strengthen your relationship with your partners.

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?