Asma Alyemni is a distinguished Cybersecurity and Network Engineer with over 13 years of experience in managing information technology and networks within the educational sector. Currently, she serves as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC) in Saudi Arabia. In this role, Asma oversees several enterprise information security divisions, including governance, risk management and compliance (GRC), cyber resilience, security architecture, security strategy, security technologies, incident response, and data protection.
Since 2022, Asma has been a pivotal figure in enhancing TVTC’s cybersecurity posture, bringing a wealth of expertise and leadership to the organization. Her strategic vision and dedication to safeguarding information assets have been instrumental in mitigating risks and ensuring robust security protocols are in place.
In addition to her role at TVTC, Asma is a board member of trustees at the National IT Academy (NITA), where she contributes to shaping the future of IT education and professional development in Saudi Arabia. Her involvement in national cybersecurity initiatives, including the development of the national cybersecurity strategy with the National Cybersecurity Authority (NCA), highlights her commitment to advancing the cybersecurity landscape in the country.
Asma’s career is marked by a series of leadership roles, such as Deputy of CISO, Head of the Purchasing Department, and Director of Public Relations & Media. Prior to her current position, she managed the Smart University Project at King Saud University as a Project Manager, playing a key role in launching the initiative in 2010. Her experience also includes serving as the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Saudi Association in the UK, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills.
Asma Alyemni’s extensive background and contributions to the field of cybersecurity make her a respected leader and expert in the industry. Her dedication to advancing cybersecurity practices and education continues to have a significant impact on organizations and professionals alike.
The Interview:
Introduction:
- Can you start by providing a brief overview of your background and experience in cybersecurity and IT management?
Since 2010, I have been working in the IT field. My journey started in technical support, and then I worked as an information technology supervisor. This gave me a strong background that led me to complete my education in the engineering of computer systems and networks, for which I earned an honors degree from Edinburgh Napier University. I then pursued my master’s in cybersecurity at the University of York. After that, my cybersecurity journey began. I started in GRC, then progressed to become the deputy of the CISO, and I have been serving as the CISO for the past 3 years.
- What are the most common causes of conflict between cybersecurity and IT teams in organizations?
Each sector has its own perspective IT focuses more on the availability and development of services whereas Cybersecurity mainly focuses on securing, protecting, and the confidentiality of the data in those services .
Understanding the Conflict:
- Nature of the Conflict:
- How do the primary goals and responsibilities of cybersecurity teams differ from those of IT teams?
The primary goals and responsibilities of cybersecurity teams and IT teams differ significantly due to their distinct roles within an organization. Some of the cybersecurity primary goals are
preventing , and responding to cyber threats and vulnerabilities. On the other hand IT teams focus on supporting and maintaining the IT infrastructure and systems.
- Can you share some examples of how these differing objectives can lead to conflict?
For instance, using AI, such as a generative AI chatbot, and integrating it with internal services to make it available to users. Although IT prospects are improving and preserving technology development for organizational services, cybersecurity teams view this as a threat. They must prevent systems from being compromised by the risks associated with the technology.
- Communication Issues:
- How significant is the role of communication (or lack thereof) in contributing to these conflicts?
Communication plays a critical role in the relationship between cybersecurity and IT teams. Miscommunication or a lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings, delayed responses to threats, inefficient processes, and ultimately, conflicts between the teams.
Therefore addressing these communication gaps can improve coordination and reduce conflicts between cybersecurity and IT teams.
- Are there specific communication breakdowns that you see frequently occurring between these teams?
Frequent communication breakdowns occur when the cybersecurity teams attempt to address an incident or patch a vulnerability, And the IT teams postpone it for weeks or even months, regardless of the associated risks. Additionally, when the cybersecurity team tries to share mandatory awareness content on the organization’s platform, the IT teams perceive it as an impediment to system use.
- Resource Allocation:
- How do issues related to resource allocation contribute to the conflict between cybersecurity and IT teams?
Issues related to resource allocation contribute to conflicts between cybersecurity and IT teams due to competing needs and priorities. Both teams often vie for limited budgets, personnel, and time, creating friction over what should take precedence. This can lead to disagreements, delayed projects, and inefficiencies.
“Conflicting Priorities” is a great example of that topic. An IT team focused on system performance might delay security updates to prevent downtime, leading to frustration and potential risks highlighted by the cybersecurity team.
This example illustrates how scarce resources can heighten tensions, as each team prioritizes its own objectives to the possible detriment of overall organizational security and efficiency.
- Can you provide examples of how limited resources can exacerbate tensions?
Conflicting Priorities is a great example on that topic. An IT team focused on system performance might delay security updates to prevent downtime, leading to frustration and potential risks highlighted by the cybersecurity team.
This example illustrates how scarce resources can heighten tensions, as each team prioritizes its own objectives to the possible detriment of overall organizational security and efficiency.
- Response to Incidents:
- How do cybersecurity and IT teams typically differ in their approaches to responding to security incidents?
Cybersecurity teams typically respond to security incidents by focusing on identifying threats, containing the breach, and conducting a thorough analysis to prevent future incidents. They prioritize the confidentiality and integrity of data, often taking a cautious approach that may involve temporarily shutting down systems to prevent further damage. In contrast, IT teams emphasize restoring services and maintaining system availability, aiming for quick recovery to minimize operational disruptions. This difference in priorities can lead to conflicts, as cybersecurity measures may seem overly cautious or slow to IT teams, while IT’s focus on speed may appear reckless to cybersecurity professionals. These differing approaches can hinder effective collaboration during a crisis, leading to delays and potentially increased risks.
- What impact does this have on their ability to work together effectively during a crisis?
To work together more effectively, both teams need to align their goals, establish clear communication, and develop joint incident response plans.
Impact of the Conflict: 5. Organizational Efficiency:
- What are the potential consequences of ongoing conflict between cybersecurity and IT teams for organizational efficiency and security posture?
Ongoing conflict between cybersecurity and IT teams can lead to misaligned priorities, causing delays in addressing security vulnerabilities and disruptions in maintaining system performance. This misalignment can result in inefficiencies, such as redundant efforts or overlooking critical security updates, which negatively affect the organization’s overall operational effectiveness. Furthermore, conflicts can foster a culture of distrust and poor communication, increasing the likelihood of misconfigurations, overlooked threats, and slower incident response times. The security posture of the organization weakens as essential security measures may not be implemented effectively or in a timely manner, exposing the organization to greater risks.
- How can these conflicts impact the overall risk management strategy of an organization?
These conflicts can significantly impact the organization’s risk management strategy by undermining the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks comprehensively. When IT and cybersecurity teams do not collaborate effectively, there is a higher risk of gaps in security coverage, making it challenging to implement a cohesive risk management strategy. Moreover, the lack of coordination may result in inconsistent application of security policies and controls, leading to vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit. Ultimately, the inability to resolve conflicts and work cohesively can compromise the organization’s resilience against cyber threats and impede its ability to achieve its strategic objectives safely.
- Employee Morale:
- How does this conflict affect the morale and productivity of employees within these teams?
This conflict can significantly lower the morale and productivity of employees within cybersecurity and IT teams, as continuous disagreements and misaligned priorities create a stressful and frustrating work environment. Employees may feel undervalued or unsupported, leading to decreased motivation and engagement.
- Are there any long-term impacts on employee retention and job satisfaction?
Over time, these tensions can result in higher turnover rates as team members seek more collaborative and satisfying work environments, affecting long-term employee retention. Additionally, ongoing conflict can lead to reduced job satisfaction, which might deter skilled professionals from joining or staying with the organization.
Strategies for Resolving the Conflict: 7. Improving Communication:
- What strategies can organizations implement to improve communication and collaboration between cybersecurity and IT teams?
Organizations can improve communication and collaboration between cybersecurity and IT teams by implementing cross-functional teams, establishing clear protocols and roles, and fostering a culture of mutual respect and understanding. Regular meetings and joint training sessions are highly effective strategies; they facilitate the sharing of knowledge, align team objectives, and help build a common language between the teams.
- How effective are regular meetings and joint training sessions in bridging the communication gap?
These sessions provide a platform for discussing ongoing projects, potential conflicts, and solutions, leading to more informed and cooperative decision-making. Joint training can also help both teams understand each other’s priorities and constraints, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a more cohesive approach to problem-solving. Overall, these strategies enhance the teams’ ability to work together seamlessly, thereby strengthening the organization’s overall security and IT effectiveness.
- Defining Roles and Responsibilities:
- How important is it to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of cybersecurity and IT teams?
- What are some best practices for delineating these roles to reduce overlap and confusion?
It is crucial to clearly define the roles and responsibilities of cybersecurity and IT teams to prevent overlap, reduce confusion, and enhance coordination. Best practices include creating detailed job descriptions, establishing clear reporting lines, and outlining specific tasks and objectives for each team, while ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals. Regular reviews and updates of these roles can help adapt to evolving needs and maintain clarity in responsibilities.
- Aligning Goals:
- How can organizations ensure that the goals of cybersecurity and IT teams are aligned with the overall business objectives?
- Can you share examples of successful alignment strategies that have been implemented in other organizations?
Organizations can ensure the goals of cybersecurity and IT teams align with business objectives by integrating security and IT strategies into the overall business planning process and setting shared key performance indicators (KPIs) that reflect business goals. For example, some organizations have successfully aligned their teams by implementing a **Security Steering Committee** that includes both IT and cybersecurity leaders to oversee and integrate their plans. Others have adopted a **DevSecOps** approach, embedding security within the development and operations teams, thus promoting a culture of shared responsibility and continuous collaboration. **Regular joint strategy sessions** and **executive sponsorship** for cross-functional projects are also common strategies to ensure that both teams work towards common business outcomes.
- Resource Management:
- What approaches can be taken to better manage and allocate resources between cybersecurity and IT teams?
- How can organizations ensure that both teams have the tools and support they need to perform their functions effectively?
To better manage and allocate resources between cybersecurity and IT teams, organizations can establish a **centralized resource management process** that evaluates and prioritizes needs based on risk assessment and business impact. Implementing a **collaborative budgeting process** where both teams jointly develop a budget that addresses their critical needs can ensure balanced resource distribution. Organizations can also use **shared resource pools** for personnel and tools, allowing for flexibility and adaptability based on changing demands. Regularly **reviewing and adjusting resource allocations** in response to evolving threats and operational needs helps ensure that both teams have the necessary tools and support to perform their functions effectively.
- Leadership and Culture:
- How crucial is leadership in resolving conflicts between cybersecurity and IT teams?
- What role does organizational culture play in fostering collaboration and reducing tensions?
Leadership is crucial in resolving conflicts between cybersecurity and IT teams as effective leaders can facilitate open communication, clarify roles, and align team objectives with the organization’s mission. Leaders can also create a strategic vision that integrates both teams’ goals, ensuring that their efforts complement rather than conflict with each other. Organizational culture plays a significant role in fostering collaboration by promoting a supportive and inclusive environment where both teams are encouraged to work together and share knowledge. A positive culture reduces tensions by valuing each team’s contributions and emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual respect.
Conclusion:
- What key takeaways would you like to share with organizations struggling with conflicts between their cybersecurity and IT teams?
- How can organizations proactively prevent these conflicts from arising in the future?
Key takeaways for organizations struggling with conflicts between cybersecurity and IT teams are to prioritize clear communication, establish well-defined roles and responsibilities, and foster a collaborative culture that values both teams’ contributions. To proactively prevent these conflicts, organizations should implement regular cross-functional meetings, joint training sessions, and shared objectives to ensure alignment and understanding between teams. Additionally, leadership should actively support and model collaboration, ensuring that both cybersecurity and IT teams feel valued and engaged in the organization’s overall mission.
Wrap-Up:
- Thank you for sharing your insights. How can our audience connect with you and learn more about your work?
- Is there anything else you would like to add about the importance of collaboration between cybersecurity and IT teams?
I believe we have covered the main points in this article, and I would like to express my gratitude to you and the magazine for the interview.
Solving the Conflict: To solve the conflict between cybersecurity and IT teams, organizations should consider the following steps:
- Foster Open Communication:
- Implement regular meetings and cross-functional team-building activities.
- Use collaborative tools and platforms to enhance communication and information sharing.
- Establish Clear Roles and Responsibilities:
- Define the specific roles and responsibilities of each team to avoid overlap.
- Create a RACI matrix (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed) for tasks and processes.
- Align Objectives:
- Ensure both teams understand and align with the organization’s overall business objectives.
- Develop joint goals and metrics to measure success collaboratively.
- Shared Training and Development:
- Conduct joint training sessions to enhance mutual understanding and respect for each team’s expertise.
- Encourage certifications and continuous education that benefit both cybersecurity and IT knowledge bases.
- Effective Resource Allocation:
- Allocate budget and resources equitably based on the critical needs of both teams.
- Implement a shared resource management plan to ensure both teams have the necessary tools and support.
- Leadership and Culture:
- Encourage leaders to model collaborative behavior and prioritize conflict resolution.
- Foster an organizational culture that values teamwork, respect, and mutual support.
By taking these steps, organizations can reduce conflict, improve collaboration, and enhance their overall cybersecurity and IT effectiveness.
Conclusion: The conflict between cybersecurity and IT teams can pose significant challenges for organizations. However, with strategic communication, clear role definitions, aligned objectives, joint training, equitable resource allocation, and strong leadership, these conflicts can be effectively resolved. By fostering a collaborative culture, organizations can enhance their security posture, improve efficiency, and create a more positive work environment for both teams.
