Stronger Together: Why IT and Security Collaboration is Business Critical

As UK businesses accelerate their digital transformation, the move to cloud-based and hybrid work environments has introduced new layers of complexity in IT management and security. While these advancements offer increased flexibility and scalability, they also create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit gaps in an organisation’s security posture.

One of the most pressing issues is the disconnect between IT and security teams; two functions that should work hand in hand but are often siloed. The consequences of this divide are severe, with cyber threats escalating in both frequency and sophistication.

The growing threat to UK businesses

The UK’s cyber threat landscape is becoming increasingly volatile. In 2024, nearly half of UK businesses reported experiencing a cyber-attack, with the average cost to mid-sized businesses exceeding £10,830. Phishing remains one of the most prevalent attack methods, affecting 84% of organisations. The confronting figures highlight the need for a more unified security strategy, yet many organisations continue to treat IT and security as separate entities, leaving vulnerabilities unchecked.

Cybercriminals thrive on these divisions. In fact, ransomware is particularly on the rise, with nearly a third of businesses experiencing such attacks. These incidents not only cause financial losses but also disrupt operations, damage reputations, and erode customer trust. With cybercrime projected to cost the global economy trillions in the next few years, UK organisations must rethink their approach to cybersecurity, starting with better collaboration between IT and security teams.

The risk of a siloed approach

The traditional separation of IT and security teams creates several challenges. IT teams focus on maintaining infrastructure, ensuring business continuity, and enabling digital transformation. Meanwhile, security teams are tasked with protecting company data, monitoring threats, and ensuring compliance with regulations like UK GDPR. Without seamless collaboration, these teams may inadvertently work at cross-purposes, welcoming security risks rather than mitigating them.

For example, IT teams may deploy new cloud applications to improve efficiency, but if security teams are not involved early in the process, critical vulnerabilities may be overlooked. Similarly, security teams may enforce strict policies that hinder IT’s ability to implement necessary changes, leading to inefficiencies and frustration. When these teams operate in silos, response times to cyber threats slow down, making businesses more vulnerable to attacks.

The business case for IT-security collaboration

A unified approach to IT and security is no longer an option, it is a business necessity. Research shows that organisations with strong collaboration between these functions experience fewer security breaches and recover quicker from cyber incidents. In JumpCloud’s latest report, 91% of respondents stated that IT-security collaboration is critical to securing their organisation. However, many businesses still struggle to foster this collaboration effectively despite the benefits it can bring:

• Stronger security posture – a collaborative approach ensures that security is embedded in every stage of IT planning and operations, reducing the risk of breaches.
• Faster threat response – integrated teams can quickly detect and respond to cyber threats, minimising potential damage.
• Regulatory compliance – with increasing data protection regulations, a unified approach helps businesses stay compliant and avoid costly fines.
• Operational efficiency – when IT and security teams align, processes become more streamlined, reducing bottlenecks and enhancing overall productivity.

How to strengthen IT-security collaboration

So how can UK businesses break down silos and build stronger collaboration between IT and security teams? Here’s a few practical steps:

1. Establish shared goals – IT and security teams should align their objectives to support broader business priorities. By setting common KPIs, organisations can ensure both teams are working towards the same security and operational outcomes.
2. Improve communication – regular cross-functional meetings and shared reporting structures can improve information flow between IT and security teams. Creating a culture of transparency helps prevent misunderstandings and ensures security considerations are embedded in IT projects from the outset.
3. Implement joint training programmes – security is not just the responsibility of one team. Running integrated training programmes helps IT professionals understand security best practise while equipping security teams with a better grasp of IT operations.
4. Use a unified technology stack – investing in security solutions that integrate seamlessly with IT infrastructure can eliminate compatibility issues and streamline security monitoring. Centralised identity and access management (IAM) platforms, for example, provide both IT and security teams with better visibility and control over user access.
5. Gain executive buy-in – strong leadership support is crucial for fostering collaboration. Senior executives should champion cross-functional initiative and ensure IT and security teams have the resources they need to work together effectively.

The path ahead

As cyber threats continue to evolve, UK businesses cannot afford to treat IT and security as separate entities. A siloed approach leaves critical vulnerabilities open to exploitation, whereas a collaborative strategy strengthens defences, enhances resilience, and drives business success.

The key to a secure future lies not just in advanced technology but in ensuring that the teams responsible for managing and securing these systems work in unison. Organisations that embrace a unified IT-security model will be better equipped to navigate today’s complex threat landscape, safeguard their data, and maintain trust with customers and stakeholders alike.