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pro s responsibility and neces- sitates they function as part of the extended security team . if risk isn t properly managed and how long operations may be affected if an incident occurs .
www . AmericanSecurityToday . com 2021 CHAMPIONS - Edition 60

As such , IT teams must examine current processes and deploy solutions that provide complete visibility into all systems to identify areas of risk and oppor- tunity . Even small changes , like faster upgrades and patches and multi-factor authentication , can help strengthen an organiza- tion s overall security posture .

Gaining buy-in for the right investments

Executive engagement is also critical . To ensure policies can be implemented effectively and at scale , government tech pros must ensure the right proof points and justifications are pre- sented to gather senior buy-in .

Leaders want to see facts and fig- ures . They want to know the im- pact on the agency and citizens

These strategic conversations are vital if IT teams are to make a strong case for investments such as detection , monitoring , and alerts after a protracted period of cuts and restrictions .

Prioritizing development

Skills development should also be prioritized but with input from those in the trenches . Tech teams need to communicate what form of training can bring value to the organization , so se- nior leaders can prioritize the right initiatives more strategi- cally .

Beyond the classroom , tech pros should also engage in red team / tabletop exercises to measure the effectiveness of policies and investments .

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