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Communicating the Value of Identity and Access Management to the Board
In today’s digital landscape, 94% of companies have experienced an identity-related breach, making it crucial for CISOs to strengthen identity and access management (IAM) across their organizations. With a recent survey of CISOs finding that identity is the top focus area going into 2025, it’s essential for CISOs to secure board support for their IAM initiatives.
Framing IAM as a Strategic Business Investment
To achieve this, CISOs must shift their approach from technical details to business value. This involves framing IAM as a strategic business investment that aligns with the organization’s broader mission. By doing so, CISOs can demonstrate how IAM contributes to measurable business outcomes, such as reducing operational risk and supporting digital transformation.
Demonstrating IAM Value through Measurable Metrics
To secure board buy-in, CISOs must develop goals to quantify the specific level of protection at a given cost. This can be achieved by using outcome-based metrics to demonstrate that IAM is a value-generating investment for the organization. Key metrics include:
- The cost of doing nothing: Calculating the potential financial losses from a security incident due to inadequate IAM controls.
- ROI and operational savings: Demonstrating how automation streamlines IAM processes and costs, promoting proven standards and operational efficiencies.
Aligning IAM with Specific Security and Business Outcomes
CISOs must ensure that the IAM initiative aligns with both security and business objectives. This allows the board to view IAM as an asset rather than an expense. By linking specific security efforts to specific business outcomes, CISOs can clearly demonstrate how IAM supports organizational goals.
Highlighting IAM’s Long-term Competitive Advantage and Resilience
Identity security is not just about protecting the business today; it’s about future-proofing company investments against evolving threats. CISOs must show how robust identity security can sharpen competitive advantage by ensuring agility to adapt to new business models, partnerships, and regulatory environments.
Conclusion
Securing board support for IAM initiatives requires CISOs to communicate the value of IAM in a way that resonates with executive leadership. By framing IAM as a strategic business investment, demonstrating its value through measurable metrics, aligning it with specific security and business outcomes, and highlighting its long-term competitive advantage and resilience, CISOs can secure the necessary buy-in and funding to implement robust identity and access management strategies.
FAQs
Q: How can CISOs effectively communicate the value of IAM to the board?
A: CISOs must frame IAM as a strategic business investment, demonstrating its value through measurable metrics, and aligning it with specific security and business outcomes.
Q: What are some key metrics CISOs should use to demonstrate IAM value?
A: CISOs should use outcome-based metrics, such as the cost of doing nothing, ROI and operational savings, to demonstrate the value of IAM.
Q: How can CISOs ensure that their IAM initiative aligns with both security and business objectives?
A: CISOs should link specific security efforts to specific business outcomes, ensuring that IAM supports organizational goals and is viewed as an asset rather than an expense.
Q: What is the long-term impact of IAM on an organization’s competitive advantage?
A: Robust identity security can sharpen competitive advantage by ensuring agility to adapt to new business models, partnerships, and regulatory environments.
