How CISOs Should Structure Security Teams When IT Reports to InfoSec

The traditional separation between IT and security teams is becoming increasingly problematic in modern organisations. Many CISOs are discovering that bringing IT operations under InfoSec leadership creates better security outcomes, faster incident response, and more cohesive technology strategies. This organisational shift requires careful planning, but when done properly, it transforms how companies protect their digital assets.

This guide explores how to successfully restructure security teams when IT reports to InfoSec. You’ll learn practical strategies for managing the transition, building effective hierarchies, and avoiding common pitfalls that can undermine your security programme.

Why traditional IT-security separation creates dangerous gaps

When IT and security operate as separate departments, several critical problems emerge that weaken your organisation’s overall security posture. These issues stem from fundamental misalignments in priorities, communication, and operational visibility.

• Communication breakdowns – IT teams focus on system availability, performance, and user productivity, while security teams prioritise threat prevention and risk mitigation, often leading to teams working at cross-purposes
• Delayed incident response – Security teams must request IT support rather than directing immediate remediation actions, turning critical minutes into potential breach opportunities
• Conflicting priorities – IT measures success through uptime and user satisfaction while security focuses on threat prevention, creating ongoing tension when budget decisions pit these priorities against each other
• Reduced security visibility – Security teams operate with incomplete information about network architecture, system configurations, and data flows, missing crucial attack vectors and configuration weaknesses
• Rapid environment changes – The proliferation of cloud services and remote work creates constantly evolving IT landscapes that security teams struggle to monitor and control effectively

These gaps have become particularly dangerous in modern IT environments where new services, applications, and access points appear constantly. Security teams need real-time visibility and control over these changes to maintain effective protection, but traditional separation models prevent this level of integration and responsiveness.

How CISOs can successfully integrate IT under InfoSec leadership

Successfully bringing IT under InfoSec leadership requires a strategic approach that addresses both organisational change management and operational continuity. The transition must respect existing IT expertise while establishing clear security priorities.

• Build stakeholder buy-in – Work with executive leadership to articulate the business case, emphasising improved incident response times, better compliance posture, and reduced security risks with concrete examples
• Develop phased transition plans – Start by integrating security-critical IT functions such as network security, endpoint management, and identity systems while leaving routine services under existing management initially
• Establish clear communication frameworks – Provide regular updates to executive leadership, IT staff, and business units while creating feedback mechanisms for team members to raise issues and suggest improvements
• Address cultural resistance proactively – Position the integration as an opportunity for professional growth rather than a takeover, acknowledging the expertise and contributions of existing IT staff
• Invest in cross-training programmes – Help IT staff develop security expertise while ensuring security team members understand operational IT requirements, creating knowledge sharing and team cohesion
• Maintain operational continuity – Keep proven processes and procedures in place initially, focusing on changing reporting structures and decision-making authority before modifying established workflows

This comprehensive approach ensures that integration efforts succeed by managing both the technical and human aspects of organisational change. By respecting existing expertise while gradually introducing security-focused priorities, organisations can achieve seamless transitions that strengthen rather than disrupt their operations.

Building effective security team hierarchies with IT integration

Creating the right organisational structure is fundamental to successful IT-InfoSec integration. The hierarchy must balance security priorities with operational IT needs while providing clear career progression paths for all team members.

• Design hybrid reporting relationships – Create positions such as Security Infrastructure Manager or IT Security Operations Lead that bridge traditional departmental boundaries while giving security leadership clear authority
• Establish updated role definitions – Clarify responsibilities and expectations for integrated positions, updating traditional IT roles to include security considerations while expanding security roles to cover operational responsibilities
• Create clear career progression paths – Develop specialised tracks for security-focused infrastructure roles, incident response positions, and security architecture functions to retain valuable IT talent during transition
• Balance operational and security resources – Maintain dedicated resources for both functions, ensuring day-to-day IT operations receive adequate attention while security priorities guide overall strategy
• Implement matrix management structures – Allow team members to report to security leadership for strategic direction while maintaining dotted-line relationships with operational managers for complex organisations
• Build in structural flexibility – Plan for regular structure reviews to identify improvements and address emerging challenges as the integration matures and business requirements change

The most effective hierarchies recognise that successful integration requires more than simply moving IT under security leadership. They create new hybrid roles and career paths that leverage the strengths of both disciplines while ensuring clear accountability and decision-making authority throughout the organisation.

Managing IT operations while maintaining security priorities

Balancing daily IT service delivery with security initiatives requires careful resource allocation and priority-setting frameworks. The goal is maintaining operational excellence while strengthening security posture.

• Develop resource allocation frameworks – Dedicate specific percentages of team capacity to security and operational areas, or establish minimum service levels for operational functions while pursuing security improvements
• Implement priority-setting methodologies – Use risk-based approaches that weigh potential impact of security vulnerabilities against operational disruptions, documenting decision-making processes for consistency
• Create escalation procedures – Establish clear guidelines for handling competing demands between security initiatives and IT operations, including criteria for emergency situations that might override normal priorities
• Establish comprehensive service level agreements – Define expectations for both security and operational functions with measurable targets for incident response times, system availability, and security project completion
• Build operational efficiency through automation – Implement automated security monitoring, patch management, and configuration compliance to reduce manual workload while improving security outcomes
• Conduct regular review cycles – Perform monthly or quarterly assessments to identify needed adjustments, including feedback from business stakeholders who depend on both security and IT services

Success in this area requires recognising that security and operations are not competing priorities but complementary aspects of effective technology management. By creating systematic approaches to resource allocation and decision-making, organisations can achieve excellence in both areas while building the efficiency gains that make continued improvement possible.

Common integration mistakes that undermine security effectiveness

Several frequent pitfalls can derail IT-InfoSec integration efforts. Understanding these mistakes helps organisations avoid problems that could set back their security programmes.

• Over-centralisation – Attempting to bring every IT function under direct security control creates bottlenecks and reduces operational efficiency; successful integration requires selecting the right functions to centralise
• Neglecting IT operational expertise – Underestimating the complexity of IT service delivery and dismissing operational knowledge can lead to service disruptions that undermine support for integration
• Ignoring cultural resistance – Failing to address concerns about job security, role changes, and new reporting relationships creates ongoing dysfunction that reduces team effectiveness
• Insufficient cross-training – Skipping investment in mutual understanding between security and IT disciplines creates knowledge gaps that become problematic during staff turnover or emergencies
• Moving too quickly – Rushing the integration process without adequate planning overwhelms teams and creates more operational problems than benefits
• Failing to measure and adjust – Missing opportunities to improve the process by not regularly assessing team performance, stakeholder satisfaction, and security outcomes

These mistakes share a common thread: they occur when organisations focus solely on structural changes while ignoring the human, cultural, and operational complexities of integration. Prevention requires establishing clear success metrics, maintaining open communication channels, and remaining flexible enough to adjust approaches based on experience. Remember that integration is an ongoing process requiring continuous attention and refinement rather than a one-time organisational restructuring.

Successfully integrating IT operations under InfoSec leadership transforms how organisations approach cybersecurity and technology management. The benefits include faster incident response, better security visibility, and more cohesive technology strategies. However, success requires careful planning, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing attention to both security priorities and operational needs. When done properly, this integration creates stronger, more resilient organisations better equipped to handle modern cyber threats.

At Iceberg, we understand the complexities of building integrated security teams and can help you find the right talent to support your organisational transformation. Our expertise in both cybersecurity and eDiscovery recruitment means we can identify professionals who understand the nuances of modern security operations and IT integration.