Just a few years ago, if you had asked any random person on the street about “information security,” “data privacy,” or “vendor risk management,” they would most likely have given you a blank stare. Best case scenario, they would maybe have mentioned something about updating your password and not clicking on any phishing links. The average layperson was not as well versed in InfoSec and data privacy as they should have been.

As data privacy has expanded outside of the InfoSec department, however, and as security has become a corporate goal instead of just a small departmental one, more and more people are aware of and engaged in data security strategy. This is especially apparent in SaaS organizations where InfoSec, vendor risk management, and cloud security have exploded in the last few years.

Tips for building transparency

Transparency is key to getting more people to understand why security is so essential, how security can impact a larger corporate strategy, and what an InfoSec team does. Here are a few ways your team can build transparency into your security strategy:

Education

Often, other departments are ignorant of data privacy initiatives and security operations simply because they don't understand the approach or process of the team. InfoSec teams can take matters into their own hands by educating other departments, especially sales and procurement, on the importance of vendor risk management and incorporating InfoSec processes into more significant strategic initiatives.

Access

Another reason other departments aren't aware of security operations is that they don't have access to an organization's actual security posture or controls. Your team can open this access to key stakeholders and allow people (even those outside your organization) to view your security posture to understand better how your organization approaches data security, privacy, and compliance.

A top-down approach

In most organizations, other departments only know a security initiative is vital if they get a notification or update from the CIO. InfoSec teams do have the ability to make security and data privacy a company-wide initiative (not just a departmental one) by working with c-level executives to ensure security is a corporate focus. Taking a top-down approach ensures that every level of your organization, and every department, takes security and data privacy into account when making internal, partnership, or technology decisions.

Building a transparent security strategy with Whistic

InfoSec, data privacy, and vendor risk management initiatives shouldn't be constrained to the IT department. With the Whistic platform, your team can manage access and visibility into all aspects of your vendor risk management strategy, from questionnaires and assessments to vendor audits and security controls.

Whistic makes it easy to build a company-wide vendor security strategy by giving all stakeholders insight into your security posture—and the information they need to know why these security initiatives are essential. You can learn more about Whistic here and get your personalized consultation today.