The PM’s Role in Cyber Resilience And How to Deliver Security Without Being a Security Expert

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Hello Fellow,

Last week, we unpacked real UK breaches. This week, we shift focus to what project managers can do even without being security experts.

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to help prevent a breach.
You just need to know what’s missing and raise the flag early.

Breaches rarely start with technology, they start with blind spots, and project managers are the first line of defence.

In Today’s Issue:

• How PMs drive cyber resilience even without deep technical skills

• Key moments where risk slips through the cracks

• Warning signs every PM should watch for

• A free checklist to help guide your next secure delivery

You are leading a digital delivery.
Vendors, timelines, integrations, go-live.

Now imagine:

• A team member leaves suddenly and takes system access knowledge with them

• Sensitive client files are shared over email “just for speed”

• A handover happens but no one checks if the vendor has their own security processes

That’s how breaches happen not from one mistake, but from many small blind spots.

Cyber resilience is everyone’s job. But you are the one who sees the full picture.

What PMs Can Do Without Being a Cyber Pro

1. Bake Security into the Timeline

Start early:

• “Who’s responsible for checking that security is built into the design?”
  (Not just functionality but whether it’s safe to go live.)

• “When are we pressure-testing the plan not just for success, but for failure?”
  (Downtime, missed patches, accidental access simulate real-world risks.)

• “If things go wrong during rollout, how do we hit undo and who makes the call?”
  (Rollback isn't just a button it’s a decision that needs a clear owner.)

Treat security as a mindset rather than a line item.

2. Translate Risk into Action

Turn security risks into clear, manageable steps that fit your delivery plan.

• Security talks in vulnerabilities; execs focus on delivery goals.

• You bridge these views by turning risks into clear tasks.

• Assign owners to each risk-related task.

• Set deadlines and milestones to track progress.

• Keep risk communication ongoing throughout the project.

3. Spot the Silence
Recognize when important security topics are being ignored and step in.

• Notice when no one discusses user access, data handling, or vendor security.

• Silence often hides overlooked risks.

• Speak up and ask clear questions early.

• Confirm who owns and manages these areas.

• Don’t assume anything is covered without verification.

Warning Signs PMs Should Never Ignore

• Security is “out of scope” but still impacts core delivery

• Handoffs happen without shared ownership of risk

• No one can identify who owns recovery or breach response

• Vendor tools are integrated before security review

• Test environments use real customer data without controls

The Cyber PM Resilience Self-Check (Free PDF)
Use this 1-page toolkit to:
• Spot gaps in planning, security, or ownership
• Prompt risk-aware conversations with stakeholders
• Build confidence in your project’s resilience
👉 Download here

Weekly Action
This week, pick one of your active projects and ask:
• “What’s our plan if something goes wrong?”
• “Who’s responsible for security sign-off?”
• “Do our assumptions match our actual coverage?”
If the answers aren’t clear, start the conversation.

Final Thought
“Cyber risks don’t crash delivery plans, blind spots do.”
Your power as a PM isn’t in knowing every threat.
It’s in seeing what others miss, and making it part of the plan.

PS: Working on a project where security feels like a moving target? Share this with a fellow PM who needs a clearer path.
Got ideas or questions? Just hit reply I am here to help shape the next issue.