Info-Tech Research Group: Shifting Security from Control to Service

Many CISOs struggle to justify security investments because they lack a clear narrative linking their technical safeguards to specific business goals. When controls are implemented without context, they are often bypassed or ignored, leading to a disconnect between security teams and the stakeholders they serve. Diana MacPherson, research director at Info-Tech, argues that security leaders must shift their focus from managing controls to telling a compelling service story that clarifies purpose, ownership, and measurable value.

To bridge this gap, the firm’s new blueprint, Build Security Services for Business Value, offers a three-phase framework designed to align security with organizational workflows. The process begins by mapping the security service context, moves to integrating those services into existing business capabilities, and concludes with a structured plan to communicate value to decision-makers. By translating technical requirements into a language that executives understand, security leaders can secure consistent funding and position their departments as essential business enablers rather than operational bottlenecks.