Werner Vogels, CTO of Amazon, said, “Security is not a barrier to innovation; it’s an enabler – when done right. But when done wrong, it can be the biggest roadblock.”
For too long, we’ve framed cybersecurity and innovation as competing priorities – strengthen your security posture or accelerate your digital transformation, but never both. This supposed tension has forced technology leaders into an impossible balancing act, making tradeoffs that ultimately compromise both objectives.
But here’s where things get interesting – our latest research shows that the most successful technology leaders aren’t just dismissing this false dilemma; they’re redefining the very relationship between security and innovation.
Breaking the either/or myth: Data-driven insights on security and innovation
Our team surveyed nearly 1,400 technology leaders for our Future Forward report, uncovering insights that challenge conventional thinking. A striking 41% of CIOs cite cybersecurity as their top concern – the very issue that keeps them up at night. Yet, rather than slowing down, these leaders are accelerating investments in security (77%), cloud infrastructure (68%), and AI capabilities (67%) – proving that security and innovation aren’t at odds but can drive each other forward.
This isn’t a contradiction – it’s a strategic shift. The research clearly shows that top organisations no longer see security as a roadblock to innovation but as a foundation that drives faster, more confident progress.
Among top-performing companies, security has evolved from being perceived as a brake pedal to becoming more like an advanced navigation system – the critical infrastructure that allows them to move quickly through complex terrain with greater confidence.
Turning protection into propulsion
Our research identified a distinct group of organisations we call “Front Runners” – companies that represent about 24% of our sample. These businesses aren’t just performing better – they’re approaching the security-innovation relationship in a fundamentally different way.
Front Runners integrate security thinking into each phase of development rather than treating it as a final checkpoint. They design their processes so security expertise informs innovation from concept through deployment. More importantly, they frame security as a competitive differentiator rather than a cost centre or compliance requirement.
The most effective organisations have restructured their teams and processes to eliminate the traditional silos between security and development. They’ve created collaborative environments where security experts and innovation specialists work together toward shared business objectives, not competing technical priorities.
The missing ingredient: Why even great tech fails without human alignment
The most revealing aspect of our research isn’t about technology investments but about organisational alignment. Only 37% of organisations reported their risk strategy being very aligned with cybersecurity, and less than 30% said their technology deployment is well-aligned with worker adoption.
This underscores a key insight: security excellence isn’t just about technology – it’s about people and processes. Organisations that view cybersecurity as purely a technical issue overlook the bigger picture. Even the most advanced security systems fall short when they aren’t aligned with real-world workflows.
We see this time and again in our client engagements. Companies pour resources into cutting-edge security solutions, only to find employees bypassing them because they hinder productivity. The most successful organisations sidestep this pitfall by designing security measures that integrate seamlessly with how people work.
Breaking the security-innovation stalemate
So, what does this mean for your organisation? If your cybersecurity and innovation teams still operate as separate entities with different priorities, you’re not alone – but you’re also at risk of falling behind.
Our research highlights key strategies that set leading organisations apart:
Integrated teams: Top performers view security as an enabler, fostering collaboration through teams with shared goals and accountability.
Security by design: Instead of retrofitting security, they embed it from the start, ensuring protection is built into every stage of development.
People-centered security: Recognising that technology alone isn’t enough, they design systems that align with real workflows, making secure behaviour the easiest choice.
Strategic advantage: They elevate cybersecurity beyond compliance, leveraging it as a competitive differentiator – especially in regulated industries.
Cultural alignment: Security isn’t just an IT responsibility; they cultivate an organisation-wide mindset where everyone plays a role in maintaining security.
From checkpoints to accelerators: Redefining security’s core purpose
Our research delivers a clear message: the old narrative that pits security against innovation isn’t just outdated – it’s a risk. Organisations that cling to this mindset will fall behind those that have embraced security as a catalyst for innovation rather than a constraint.
Top organisations have redefined their approach to technology by integrating security as both a business enabler and a competitive advantage. They’re not just safeguarding their operations – they’re driving innovation, building agile platforms that evolve rapidly while maintaining trust.
The real question for technology leaders isn’t, “How do we balance security and innovation?” but rather, “How can we leverage security to drive innovation forward?” Those who get this right aren’t making compromises – they’re building a lasting competitive edge.
For a deeper dive into the top challenges for technology leaders, take a look at the complete Future Forward: CIO 2025 Outlook report here.
