Closing the Cyber Gap: Aligning Security with Business Priorities

Introduction

In many organizations, cybersecurity and business strategy have historically operated in silos. This disconnect has created friction, delayed innovation, and exposed enterprises to unnecessary risk. At Altum Strategy Group, we believe that closing this gap is not only possible—it is essential. By aligning security with business priorities, we help organizations transform cybersecurity from a perceived barrier into a powerful growth enabler.

Core Challenge

The traditional model casts security teams as gatekeepers—often labeled the “Department of No.” This perception stems from a lack of shared language and goals between business and security units. Business leaders focus on speed, innovation, and customer outcomes, while security teams prioritize risk mitigation and compliance. Without alignment, these priorities can clash.

We work to bridge this divide by reframing cybersecurity as a strategic partner. When integrated early and effectively, cybersecurity becomes a driver of business value, not a roadblock.

Strategic Alignment

Our approach begins with a mindset shift: security must be embedded into the business, not bolted on. We facilitate collaborative workshops that bring together business, IT, and security stakeholders to define shared objectives and success metrics. These sessions uncover friction points—such as delays in security approvals or vulnerability remediation—and identify opportunities for improvement.

One of our clients, for example, sought to accelerate the rollout of new digital features. However, their security processes were reactive and disconnected from development timelines. By aligning their KPIs—such as deployment velocity and risk reduction—with business goals, we helped them integrate automated security testing and remediation into their development pipeline. The result: faster releases, fewer vulnerabilities, and stronger cross-functional collaboration.

“It’s not just about deploying features quickly. It’s about embedding the right security controls so that speed doesn’t come at the cost of safety.”
— Andy Pojuner, Managing Director, Technology, Data and Intelligence, Altum Strategy Group

 Technology Integration

We implement infrastructure-as-code (IaC) templates with pre-approved security controls, enabling teams to deploy secure environments rapidly and consistently. By shifting security “left” in the development lifecycle, we reduce the cost and complexity of remediation. Automated testing and continuous monitoring ensure that security is not a bottleneck but a built-in capability.

This shift-left approach is especially powerful in agile and DevOps environments. It allows teams to identify and address risks early, before they become costly problems. It also fosters a culture of shared responsibility, where developers, product managers, and security professionals work together toward common goals.

 Our Cyber Alignment Framework

Our engagements typically include:

1. Collaborative Workshops – We facilitate sessions with business, security, and IT teams to align goals and expectations.
2. Shared Objective Setting – We define KPIs reflecting business outcomes and security performance.
3. Gap Analysis – We identify bottlenecks in current processes, such as approval delays or misaligned risk assessments.
4. Security Champion Programs – We embed trained security advocates within business units to promote awareness and accountability.
5. Pipeline Integration – We implement automated security testing and remediation in CI/CD pipelines.
6. Template Development – We create reusable IaC templates with embedded security controls.
7. Metrics Dashboards—We build dashboards that track business-aligned security metrics, such as time to market, risk exposure, and compliance status.

 Industry Perspective

The cybersecurity landscape is evolving. Increasingly, CISOs report directly to CEOs, reflecting the strategic importance of security. According to McKinsey, companies with business-aligned security functions are 2.5 times more likely to meet or exceed their growth targets. Organizations that adopt shift-left security practices reduce remediation costs by up to 60% and accelerate time-to-market by 19%.

Leading enterprises now measure security success not just by threats blocked, but by business outcomes enabled. This includes metrics like deployment velocity, customer satisfaction, and innovation throughput.

Case Study Data

Our work has delivered measurable results:

• Deployment Velocity: Time from business requirement to secure deployment decreased from 45 days to 12 days
• Security Integration: Early security engagement increased from 24% to 93% of initiatives
• Risk Reduction: Security risks decreased by 34% year-over-year
• Innovation Metrics: New digital features launched increased by 67% while maintaining compliance
• Compliance Efficiency: Time spent on compliance configuration reduced by 58% through automation

 Client Insights

We often find that organizations are passionate about their business goals but lack the mechanisms to integrate security into those goals. In many cases, security KPIs are either missing or misaligned. We help clients define meaningful indicators—such as automated remediation rates or secure deployment frequency—that reflect both protection and performance.

In one engagement, we worked with a client whose customers were actively testing their platform’s security through red team exercises. Rather than viewing this as a threat, we helped the client build a feedback loop that turned these tests into opportunities for improvement. This strengthened the platform and deepened trust with their customer base.

Conclusion

At Altum Strategy Group, we believe that cybersecurity should accelerate, not inhibit, business progress. By aligning security with business priorities, we help organizations move faster, innovate more confidently, and reduce risk meaningfully.

Our approach is collaborative, pragmatic, and results driven. We bring together the right people, processes, and technologies to close the cyber gap and unlock new value. In doing so, we transform security from a reactive function into a proactive force for growth.

In a digital economy where speed and trust are paramount, alignment is not optional but a competitive necessity.