Last updated on Jun 23, 2024

You're balancing security upgrades and project deadlines. How can you prioritize effectively?

In the fast-paced world of system development, you often find yourself juggling between the need for robust security upgrades and the pressure of looming project deadlines. Striking the right balance can be a daunting task, but it's essential for the long-term success of your projects. By prioritizing effectively, you can ensure that your systems are secure without compromising on delivery timelines.

1 Risk Assessment

When faced with the challenge of integrating security upgrades without derailing project schedules, your first step is to conduct a thorough risk assessment. Identify which systems are most vulnerable and the potential impact of a security breach on each. This will help you determine where to focus your immediate efforts. Prioritize upgrades that mitigate the highest risks to your business, and consider whether any deadlines can be adjusted to accommodate these critical changes.

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Ashwin Kumar Thirunavukkarasu

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Three parameters that I've found to be useful in risk assessment are: 1. Likelihood of an attack based on the threat vector exposed by the vulnerabilities. Publicly available sources of information on cybersecurity threats and documented attack procedures can help to assess this parameter. Any monitoring data within the org can be used to augment publicly available information. 2. Ease of execution of the attack techniques in terms of cost, time and investment from the attacker. This can also be considered as a factor within the 'likelihood' parameter. 3. Potential damages caused by a successful attack. These can help prioritise fixes that provide the most value and can be managed within deadlines.
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2 Agile Integration

Agile methodologies can be particularly useful in balancing security and deadlines. By integrating security upgrades as part of your regular sprints, you can address vulnerabilities incrementally without overwhelming your team. This approach allows you to make continuous improvements while still maintaining progress on your project deliverables. Remember, security should be a part of the development lifecycle, not an afterthought.

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3 Stakeholder Buy-In

Gaining stakeholder buy-in is crucial when security upgrades impact project deadlines. Clearly communicate the importance of security measures and the potential risks of neglecting them. When stakeholders understand the stakes, they are more likely to support necessary adjustments to timelines. Transparency about the process and potential trade-offs will help manage expectations and foster cooperation.

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4 Prioritization Framework

Creating a prioritization framework can help streamline decision-making. This framework should weigh factors such as the severity of potential security threats, the importance of project features, and the costs of delaying deadlines. By having a clear set of criteria, you can make informed decisions about what to prioritize and when, ensuring that both security and project progress are managed effectively.

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Anthony M. Librera, CCSP, PMP®

Agile Security Practitioner & Optimizer: Building bulletproof digital castles, streamlining workflows, and empowering teams to conquer cyber threats, one innovation at a time.
Understanding your attack vectors, especially remote exploitability, as well as asset inventory, SBOM, and human resource availability are all essential in determining prioritization. That foundation will provide useful insights on which potential threats to remediate, mitigate, or accept and will ensure both security and project progress are managed effectively.
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5 Automation Benefits

Embracing automation can significantly aid in managing security upgrades alongside project deadlines. Automated security tools can scan for vulnerabilities, apply patches, and perform routine checks without manual intervention. This not only saves time but also ensures that security is a constant process. Automation allows your team to focus on developing new features while maintaining a secure environment.

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6 Continuous Monitoring

Finally, continuous monitoring is key to balancing security with project deadlines. By constantly evaluating your systems' security posture, you can identify and address new vulnerabilities swiftly. This proactive approach ensures that security upgrades are integrated seamlessly into your development process and that risks are managed before they escalate into bigger issues.

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7 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?

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System Development

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You're balancing security upgrades and project deadlines. How can you prioritize effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Risk Assessment

2 Agile Integration

3 Stakeholder Buy-In

4 Prioritization Framework

5 Automation Benefits

6 Continuous Monitoring

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Development

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You're balancing security upgrades and project deadlines. How can you prioritize effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Risk Assessment

2 Agile Integration

3 Stakeholder Buy-In

4 Prioritization Framework

5 Automation Benefits

6 Continuous Monitoring

7 Here’s what else to consider

System Development

Rate this article

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