CIR PM Cyber Security Team Structure

Organisational Structure

When an organization decides to establish a BCM or a cyber security program, the organization needs to develop a structure consisting of the different teams involved to facilitate the development of the plan.

Figure 5-4 shows an actual cyber security team structure. Figure 5-5 to 5-7 are examples of Cyber Security team structures.

Cyber Security Team Structure

Figure 5-4: Cyber Security Team Structure (Rehmen, 2016)

Figure 5-5: Cyber Organisation Structure for Singapore Armed Forces (Bhunia, 2017)

Figure 5-6: Cyber Organisation Structure from Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IITR, 2013)

Figure 5-7: Cyber Security Team Structure

Figures 5-4 to 5-6 show the respective structure that the organizations have developed to tackle cyber security. The organization chart is synthesized and combined as one entity, shown in Figure 5-7.

The view is that cyber security should be seen as one part of the overall security management within the organization. Previously, it was misunderstood that only the IT department is responsible for cyber security issues. However, since the IT team is part of the BCM team structure, the IT department can use this forum to collaborate with the other departments to tackle the cyber security issue.

By combining the structures, the actions performed by the cyber security team become clearer. The crucial link between cyber security and business continuity is established as the constitution of the respective team is identified.

This structure makes the entire organisation more aware of cyber security threats. From here, the team members can collectively develop a comprehensive cybersecurity program.

Roles and Responsibilities of CXOs

1. Chief Security Officer (CSO)

The CSO is responsible for the organization’s security management (physical and cyber). CSO ensures that the security management program within the organization is developed and constantly updated to remain relevant.

CSO communicates with senior management about the organisation's security issues and challenges.

2. Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

The CISO is responsible for IT (cyber) security management. This (Ogden, 2014) covers the management of network security, information security, and cyber security attacks.

• Develops the organization’s cyber security program.
• Needs to earn respect and be assertive to ensure authority is gained for smooth development of cyber security program.

3. Security Project Management Office

The (Cyber) Security Project Management Office ensures that best practices and standards (Toivonen, 2015) are executed for projects to be completed on time and within budget.

The planning, management, and execution (County of Placer, 2017) of the organization’s IT project portfolio are overseen by the PMO.

Roles and Responsibilities of Teams

1. Information Technology Security Team

The Information Technology Security Team manages the technological components of the organization, such as the network, software, websites, and systems. Ensures that both physical and electronic data are protected.

2. Information Security Team

The Information Security Team develops security policies to ensure that the technological aspects of the organization are protected. The main focus is on the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA) of the data for the organization. Involves data found in both physical and electronic forms.

3. Cyber Security Team

The Cyber Security Team is responsible for developing the mitigation measures to protect the organization from cyber security attacks and response measures for the effective recovery of technological infrastructures should the organization fall into a cyber security attack.

Related Topics for CIR Project Management

Do You Want to Continue BCM Training onsite or online?

Goh, M. H. (2017). A Manager's Guide to Business Continuity Management for Cyber Security Incidents, 2nd Edition. GMH Pte Ltd.

Reference: Chapter 5 Project Management 5.7.2 Cyber Security Team Structure

Note:  This version was the draft 2nd Edition being updated in 2022. The numeric in the square bracket [X-X] cross-refers to the actual chapter and section in the 1st Edition.