Digital transformation and cybersecurity are two sides of the same coin – inseparable elements of sustainable business growth. When organisations prioritise innovation without equal emphasis on protection, they create foundations that cannot support their ambitions
This balanced approach is increasingly recognised by today’s project based firms, with 81% showing concern about cybersecurity risks/breaches.
This growing awareness is of little surprise; just over one third (36%) have experienced a threat or attack in the last 18 months, up 3% from 2024. While many digital initiatives promise competitive advantages, they simultaneously expose new attack vectors and vulnerabilities. This is particularly true for organisations managing sensitive project data, intellectual property and client information.
The challenging truth is that there’s no simple fix, either. As the threat landscape becomes more sophisticated, firms are recognising that security isn’t merely a proactive measure, but a bedrock for sustainable transformation. No wonder 79% are planning to invest more in 2025 to protect computer systems, networks, programs, and data from unauthorised or criminal access, change, or destruction.
Balancing speed and security
The need for innovation shows no signs of slowing. More and more organisations are exploring AI tools or undergoing cloud migrations, all while advanced data analytics are driving new efficiencies. In fact, four in five (79%) project-based firms will invest more in emerging technologies this year, while over half (52%) expect to be at an ‘advanced’ stage of digital transformation within three years. It’s an incredibly exciting time, but this level of pace demands urgent enhanced cybersecurity capabilities. When security considerations trail behind innovation rather than developing alongside it, organisations inadvertently create a growing protection gap that becomes increasingly difficult to address retrospectively.
For project-based firms in particular, a lag in cybersecurity carries heightened risk. The nature of project work itself, often involving multiple stakeholders, temporary access requirements, and tight delivery timelines, creates additional complexity in maintaining consistent security practices. With such sensitive data and information handled daily, they become targeted by scammers and hackers seeking to gain access to assets.
To balance speed with security, firms must shift their approach. Rather than viewing security measures as innovation barriers, they must be reframed as the true enablers of sustainable transformation. Properly implemented security frameworks accelerate digital initiatives by providing clear guidelines for safe innovation, reducing the need for costly security retrofits, and building the organisational confidence needed to adopt new technologies boldly.
In practical terms, this begins with the design and structure of the organisation’s technology. Security decisions must influence technology selections, implementation approaches and integration strategies from the very outset. It’s easy to be drawn in by what’s new and shiny, but this cannot be to the detriment of safety. Vendors with robust security credentials are non-negotiable, while zero-trust frameworks that limit access based on strict verification must be implemented.
A cyber-first culture is vital, too, and must be systematically fostered throughout the organisation. This means establishing security awareness as a cornerstone value, not just an IT concern. Cross-functional teams should include security expertise from inception, ensuring potential vulnerabilities are identified and addressed in the design phase. Security requirements could even be built into project objectives and success metrics, receiving the appropriate resources and attention right through the development lifecycle.
Creating resilience through integration
As digital dependencies grow, business continuity becomes increasingly tied to secure operations. Resilience begins with comprehensive visibility across the entire technology ecosystem through continuous monitoring. This enables organisations to identify vulnerabilities in real-time, understand dependencies and data flows, and implement targeted protection for critical assets. After all, security must be framed not as a specialised technical function but as a shared responsibility that enables confident innovation.
As data breaches continue making headlines, organisations able to demonstrate robust security practices gain significant competitive advantage. Recent data suggests that the average cost of a data breach for UK businesses has risen to £4.2m, highlighting the critical importance of proactive security measures. Clients increasingly view security capabilities as differentiating factors when selecting partners for sensitive projects, meaning security investments directly support business development objectives.
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