Imagine That You Are A New Manager Responsible For The IT Te

Imagine That You Are A New Manager Responsible For the It Team In A St

Imagine that you are a new manager responsible for the IT team in a start-up company that provides hosting services for online storefronts. Shortly before you were hired, the IT systems were compromised, resulting in the services going offline for almost 24 hours before services were restored. As a result, the business suffered financial losses that it could not afford as a start-up company. The CEO of the company has directed you to put together a plan to mitigate future risks. The first step is to assemble a team of subject matter experts to help you create the plan.

The CEO wants to review a list of the recommended team members before you proceed with the plan. You need to create this list in a formal document for submission to the CEO. In creating the recommendation, evaluate each role selected, documenting the value that the team member will bring to the process. Also, document any potential issues where team members might have conflicting priorities and how you would resolve such conflicts.

Paper For Above instruction

As the new IT manager in a start-up company providing hosting services for online storefronts, it is crucial to establish a competent and strategic team to address and mitigate future cybersecurity risks effectively. The recent system compromise, which caused significant downtime and financial losses, underscores the importance of a well-rounded, expert-driven approach to risk management. This paper outlines the recommended team members essential for developing a robust risk mitigation plan, evaluates the value each role brings, and discusses potential conflicts in priorities along with conflict resolution strategies.

1. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The CISO will lead the security strategy, ensuring that risks are identified, assessed, and mitigated appropriately. This role is vital for establishing cybersecurity policies, coordinating incident response, and overseeing compliance with industry standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001, or NIST frameworks. Their expertise will help the team prioritize security initiatives and foster a security-centric culture within the organization. A potential conflict may arise if other departments prioritize operational stability over security measures. To address this, the CISO's role will include regular communication emphasizing the importance of security for long-term business resilience and incorporating risk-based decision-making.

2. IT Security Specialist

An IT security specialist will conduct vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and continuous monitoring to identify emerging threats. This role provides technical insight necessary to implement practical security controls, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and data encryption. Conflicts might emerge if their technical priorities conflict with operational teams’ focus on uptime and performance; these can be mitigated through collaborative planning sessions to balance security enhancements with system availability.

3. Network Engineer

The network engineer ensures the stability, scalability, and security of the company's network infrastructure. They will design secure network architectures, implement firewalls, and manage traffic flow to prevent malicious attacks. Their role is crucial in maintaining high availability and preventing disruptions. Conflicting priorities can occur if rapid network modifications threaten operational continuity; these can be resolved by establishing change management protocols and testing procedures beforehand.

4. Incident Response Team Lead

This role involves preparing and executing incident response plans, coordinating internal and external communication during cybersecurity events, and conducting post-incident analysis. Their proactive stance minimizes downtime and financial losses from future compromises. Conflicts might surface if response procedures interfere with daily operations; resolving this requires clear delineation of roles and pre-established communication channels.

5. Compliance Auditor

The compliance auditor ensures that security policies align with legal and regulatory requirements. They help avoid costly penalties and reputational damage. Their focus on documentation and policy adherence may conflict with the technical team’s priority of rapid deployment; balancing these needs involves integrating compliance requirements into early development stages.

6. Executive Sponsor (CEO or CTO)

Having direct involvement from an executive sponsor ensures strategic alignment and resource allocation. Although not a technical role, their support is critical to overcoming internal resistance to security initiatives. Potential conflicts may arise if executive priorities favor rapid deployment over security; this can be managed through regular reporting on risk exposure and alignment of security with business goals.

Conclusion:

Assembling a team comprising a CISO, security specialist, network engineer, incident response lead, compliance auditor, and executive sponsor provides a comprehensive foundation for developing a resilient cybersecurity risk mitigation plan. Recognizing potential conflicts allows for proactive resolution, ensuring that security measures are balanced with operational needs and aligned with overall business objectives. This strategic team will bolster the company’s defenses against future cyber threats, safeguarding its services, reputation, and financial stability.

References

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  • ISO/IEC 27001. (2013). Information technology — Security techniques — Information security management systems — Requirements. International Organization for Standardization.
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2018). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity. NIST.
  • Ramaswamy, V., & Srinivasan, R. (2019). Building Effective Cybersecurity Teams: An Organizational Perspective. International Journal of Cybersecurity, 4(1), 12-23.
  • The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP). (2021). OWASP Top Ten Web Application Security Risks. OWASP Foundation.
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