Don’t Risk It: Critical Cybersecurity Areas New Managers Must Not Overlook

In today's business environment, company reorganizations are common. Reorganization can be difficult for managers, especially new ones, whether due to mergers and acquisitions, changes in business strategy, or economic factors. In today's fast-paced business world, reorganizations are becoming more common as companies try to stay competitive and adapt to changing market conditions. On the other hand, reorganizing a company can be difficult and present many problems that must be solved for a smooth transition. During a company reorganization, new managers must remember the importance of IT controls, the right way to transfer knowledge, and training.

Common Pitfalls for New Managers

While reorganization can bring about new opportunities and exciting changes, it can also bring about several pitfalls that new managers should be aware of. As a new manager, you must prepare for success by knowing what to do and avoid. Although there are numerous things you should solely focus on, you'll also want to avoid some common pitfalls.

Changes can happen quickly during reorganizations, and it can be challenging to keep everyone informed. New managers must communicate regularly with their staff, peers, and superiors. Lack of communication can result in misinterpretations, lowered morale, and even a loss of trust.

Resistance to change is another stumbling block that new managers may need help with. Changes in reporting structures, job responsibilities, and workflows are common during reorganizations. Employees may resist these changes, mainly if they believe their roles or duties have been reduced. Not doing so can lower productivity, morale, and employee turnover.

During reorganizations, a lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities can also be a trap for new managers. Employees may become frustrated, and tasks may not be completed when roles and responsibilities must be clarified. New managers must ensure that their team members understand their new roles and responsibilities and how they fit into the larger organizational structure. Confusion can be reduced, and productivity increased by giving clear job descriptions, objectives, and goals.

In today's data-driven world, paying attention to the numbers is critical. Ignoring data can result in bad decisions and lost opportunities. Use data to make decisions and regularly review KPIs to identify areas for improvement. One of the new managers' most common mistakes is micromanaging their team. Staying on top of things and supporting your team members is crucial. Continually monitoring or criticizing their work will demotivate them. On the other hand, another mistake that new managers make is not delegating enough. Giving your team members tasks and responsibilities gives them more power and frees up your time so you can focus on more strategic projects.

During the reorganization of the company, one of the most important things for the new managers to think about is the importance of IT controls.

What Are IT Controls?

The policies, procedures, and technologies organizations use to manage their information technology resources are called IT controls. IT controls are necessary to ensure that a company's data and information systems are safe, private, and accurate. IT controls include access controls, data backups, network security, and how to deal with an incident. These steps aim to ensure that information systems are safe, reliable, and easy to get to when needed.

During a company reorganization, IT controls are essential for ensuring compliance. Following regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX is very important to avoid legal and financial penalties. These changes may increase the risk of security breaches and data loss if proper IT controls are not in place. Access controls, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems are all IT controls that can help stop unauthorized access to IT systems and data and help find and fix security problems quickly.

The Importance of IT Controls for New Managers

For new managers, figuring out how to deal with a company reorganization can be challenging, especially concerning IT controls. In a reorganization, IT controls are crucial to business continuity, risk management, and security. An in-depth knowledge of IT controls, and their function during restructuring is essential for a new manager. Knowledge transfer is an important area in which new managers must focus. Part of this process is figuring out what IT controls are already in place and how they are being used, as well as looking for gaps or areas where things could be better. New managers should talk to the IT team that was there before them to learn about IT controls and find ways to make things better. IT control training and resources are also required for new managers. Attending training sessions, conferences, and industry events and speaking with IT security experts and consultants can help you learn about best practices and emerging threats.

Ensuring Compliance 

New Engineering, Program, Product, DevSecOps, Incident, Change, and Release Managers help organizations' software development processes run smoothly. They need to know about software development, and IT controls like ITGCs and ITAM, which are important for keeping all systems in compliance and must be a top priority for organizations. As new managers, it is important to understand ITGCs to make sure that their software development process is safe, reliable, and meets regulatory requirements. This, in turn, reduces the risk of system failures, data breaches, and compliance issues.

IT Governance Controls (ITGCs)

IT Governance Controls (ITGCs) ensure that IT systems are secure, reliable, and compliant. ITGCs address access controls, change management, security, and compliance. As new managers, it is important to understand ITGCs so that the software development process is safe, reliable, and meets regulatory requirements. This, in turn, reduces the risk of system failures, data breaches, and compliance issues.

Types of Controls

Access Controls: These controls restrict IT systems and data access to authorized users.

Change Management: These steps ensure that changes to IT systems are done in a planned and written way.

Security Management: These controls protect the organization's IT systems from hackers, viruses, and other threats.

Compliance Management: These safeguards ensure the organization's IT systems abide by all relevant laws, rules, and industry standards.

IT Asset Management (ITAM)

Managing an organization's IT assets, including hardware, software, and digital assets, is known as IT asset management (ITAM). ITAM helps companies manage software licenses, track IT assets, and cut costs. Engineers and DevOps managers need to know about ITAM because it helps them run the software development process well.

ITAM Covers Various Areas, Including:

Asset Inventory Management: To do this, the company needs to list all of its IT hardware, software, and digital assets.

License Management: The organization must manage software licenses to follow licensing agreements and avoid legal trouble.

Procurement Management: This involves managing IT asset procurement to maximize value for the company.

Disposal Management: This includes managing IT asset disposal and data security.

Benefits of Learning ITGCs and ITAMs

By learning about ITGCs and ITAMs, new managers can gain several benefits, including:

Better Compliance: Managers can make sure that the software development process is in line with ITGCs and ITAMs. This makes sure that regulations and industry standards are met.

Reduced Risk: Managers can reduce the risk of system failures, data breaches, and noncompliance issues by implementing ITGCs and ITAMs.

Increased Security: ITGCs are a set of controls that ensure security, integrity, and availability. These controls can help organizations defend against hacking, phishing, and malware attacks. Data breaches and unauthorized access can be reduced by making sure sensitive data has strict access controls. On the other hand, putting controls in place for change management can help organizations find and fix security holes before they are used against them.

Cost Savings

ITAM best practices can optimize IT investments, reduce wasteful spending, and improve budgeting. Software asset management (SAM) can help organizations avoid over- and under-licensing, leading to wasteful spending and compliance issues. Similarly, ITAM can help businesses find underused or unnecessary assets and decide whether to get rid of them or use them for something else.

Improved Regulatory Compliance

Many organizations, particularly those in highly regulated industries such as finance and healthcare, are concerned about regulatory compliance. Noncompliance with regulations can result in significant fines, reputational damage, and legal liability. Organizations can achieve and maintain regulatory compliance by learning and implementing ITGCs and ITAM. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) both have rules that must be followed. Organizations can show that they are following these rules by putting in place ITGCs like audit trails and change management controls. ITAM can also help organizations comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulations.

Conclusion

Finally, company reorganizations can be a difficult time for any organization. On the other hand, it is critical to understand the significance of IT controls and their crucial role in ensuring the security, dependability, and compliance of IT systems during the restructuring process. During a company reorganization, new managers must place IT controls, knowledge transfer, and training on the same level of importance as their role-specific responsibilities. This reduces cybersecurity risks and ensures that IT systems are compliant, reliable, and efficient. Organizations can reduce the potential risks associated with company reorganization and provide a seamless transition to the new structure.

Author: Praveen Kumar Mannam is a thought leader in the IT sector with 15 years of experience transforming business operations, fostering innovation, and enhancing operational performance. He has a tremendous passion for mentoring high school and college students to cultivate innovative and entrepreneurial mindsets. In addition, he coaches non-profit startups, particularly those that are involved in the EdTech sector, to help the underprivileged.