As you know by now, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a perfect time to reflect on how essential cyber security is in change management projects. At Change Logic, we know that successful transformations require more than strategic planning—they need a secure environment to ensure lasting success. When organisations change, from new technologies to process overhauls, cyber risks often increase, making prioritising security throughout motion critical.
Why Does Cyber Security Matter in Change Management Strategies on Projects?
Change is inherently disruptive. It is a time when employees adjust to new systems and processes, and organisations handle sensitive data across departments. Cyber attackers see these transition periods as opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities, making it more important than ever to integrate cyber security into every step of your change management initiatives.
Here are four key reasons why cyber security must be a cornerstone of your change management strategy:
1. Sensitive Data in Motion
During any change initiative, sensitive data moves through various systems and processes—whether it is customer information, intellectual property, or employee data. When systems and processes are in flux, the risk of exposure increases. Ensuring robust cyber security measures are in place from the start is essential to protecting this data as it moves through your organisation.
2. Human Factor: Increased Insider Threats
People are at the heart of change, but employees are often stressed and vulnerable during transformation periods. Whether it is accidental errors or potential insider threats from those feeling unsettled by the change, the human element can introduce significant risks. A proactive, security-focused culture that educates employees on cyber threats can mitigate these risks.
3. Building Organisational Resilience
Successful change management goes beyond delivering immediate results; it is about creating a resilient, future-ready organisation. Cyber security is a central pillar of your transformation efforts and builds long-term resilience. Ensuring your people are prepared, your data is secure, and your systems are resilient to evolving threats helps you emerge stronger post-transformation.
4. Businesses Without Effective Change Management Processes Are More Prone To Cybersecurity Risks
Organisations often face increased exposure to vulnerabilities when transitioning to new systems or infrastructures without adequate controls. In fact, poor configuration and change management can lead to significant data breaches and failures, compromising critical business operations. A strong change management process is essential for minimising these risks, especially in sectors like finance and healthcare, where breaches can have costly consequences, averaging R78 306 165 million per incident , according to an ISACA report.
We have touched on why cybersecurity should be a cornerstone of your change project, but we must discuss how this is possible. From our 22 years of successfully implementing change management projects and learning from mistakes, let’s dive deep into some fail-proof best practices.
Best Practices for Safeguarding Your Change Management Strategy:
- Conduct a detailed impact assessment: Identifying potential opportunities for a breach into the highlighted early-on in a change project so you understand where mitigating solutions need to be identified and implemented.
- Engage Cybersecurity Experts Early: Collaborate with your cyber security teams or external partners like Wolfpack to assess the risks at the outset of your change project. External resources are experts in their fields, allowing you to focus on your projects while they manage the cybersecurity risks.
- Implement Ongoing Training: Ensure employees are trained on new systems and identify potential cyber threats, especially during transition periods. External companies like Change Logic offer bespoke training created in our training studio. You can conduct a cybersecurity survey internally and use the findings and pitfalls to develop tailored training to mitigate the risk factors.
- Monitor and Adjust: Change is dynamic, and so are cyber threats. Continuous monitoring and adapting security measures during and after the change process are essential.
Customised Security Training for Seamless Change
At Change Logic, we understand that cyber security is not just a technical issue—it’s a people issue. That is why we offer more than just strategic guidance. Through our training studio, we create bespoke training programs designed specifically for your organisation’s needs. We believe that cyber awareness training is a critical element of any change management initiative.
This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, take proactive steps to secure your transformation efforts. Whether you’re embarking on a new change initiative or looking to strengthen existing processes, we can help.
Contact Change Logic today to discuss how we can create a bespoke cybersecurity training program tailored to your organisation’s needs and keep us in mind for the next change project.
At Change Logic, we’re committed to safely, securely, and successfully supporting your business through change.
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