1. Align on business outcomes with joint KPIs (e.g., uptime + security incidents). 2. Involve cybersecurity from the design phase—shift security left. 3. Mix IT and security in project squads for real-time alignment. 4. Prioritize based on business impact, not just tech preferences.

Conflicts often arise from disconnected tools. When IT & cybersecurity are treated as two separate empires, conflicts are inevitable. Instead of setting goals in silos, bring both teams together to define what success looks like. When there’s tension, elevate discussion above personal, departmental goals - What’s best for overall business? Every quarter, IT plans releases, upgrades, migrations. Cybersecurity plans audits, updates to policies, & patch management cycles. If these roadmaps aren’t shared & reviewed together, surprises will pop up. Alignment improves drastically when both teams can see big picture: timelines, dependencies, regulatory deadlines, & business events. Roadmap reviews should be standing practice, not an afterthought.

I believe it's very important that the security team be included in projects from the initial project planning and as part of the project objective, rather than when the project is already in the testing phase. This avoids many setbacks and lost time and money.

When IT and cybersecurity priorities conflict, it's often because both teams are optimizing for different risks - IT for performance and uptime, security for threat reduction and compliance. If not addressed, this misalignment can lead to delays, frustration, or worse—vulnerable systems. To resolve this, I focus on shared outcomes, transparent trade-offs, and joint planning. I start by aligning both teams around a common goal: secure, reliable, and user-friendly systems. Then, I facilitate conversations to clarify trade-offs, like balancing speed with security hardening. Finally, I involve both teams early in planning so we co-create solutions that meet critical needs without compromising delivery.

To truly align IT and cybersecurity priorities, we need to move beyond reactive fixes and siloed thinking. That means embedding cybersecurity at the very inception—not tacked on as an afterthought. Shared KPIs that blend operational uptime with incident containment rates become a new language of accountability. Cross-functional teams, not departmental turf wars, drive faster decisions and clearer outcomes. Transparency isn’t a quarterly update, it’s a regular rhythm of roadmap reviews that keep everyone in sync and avoid costly surprises.

When IT and cybersecurity priorities clash, it can slow down progress and create risks. From my experience coaching teams, alignment starts with clear communication and shared goals. Both sides need to understand each other’s challenges—IT focuses on system performance and uptime, while cybersecurity prioritizes protection and risk reduction. Bringing them together early in project planning helps balance speed and safety. Using frameworks like risk assessments and regular cross-team meetings ensures everyone stays on the same page. When aligned, IT and cybersecurity become partners driving success, not obstacles.

As a QA, I focus on promoting early collaboration between IT, cybersecurity, and QA teams. Aligning on shared goals like risk reduction and system reliability helps balance priorities and avoid rework later!

To align conflicting IT and cybersecurity priorities, foster collaboration through clear communication and shared goals. Map IT’s focus on system performance and innovation to cybersecurity’s need for risk reduction. Create a joint roadmap integrating security into IT projects early, using frameworks like NIST or DevSecOps. Prioritize critical assets, set unified KPIs (e.g., uptime and threat mitigation), and hold regular cross-team workshops to resolve conflicts. Encourage leadership to champion a culture of shared responsibility, ensuring both teams align on business objectives without compromising security or functionality.