In this Brand Story episode, Theresa Lanowitz, recently joined Sean Martin to share valuable insights drawn from LevelBlue's comprehensive 2024 Futures Report, a global study involving over 1,050 executives from C-suite levels across industries. The report offers a unique lens into the critical alignment between innovation, cybersecurity, and resilience. By examining seven key industry verticals—healthcare, retail, finance, manufacturing, transportation, energy, and state/local/higher education — LevelBlue highlights actionable strategies for building a resilient business ecosystem.
Cyber Resilience: Beyond Technology
Lanowitz emphasizes that cyber resilience extends far beyond IT and cybersecurity; it represents the organization’s ability to withstand and recover from disruptions affecting its entire digital and operational footprint. For instance, industries like manufacturing illustrate how sensors and IoT devices on production lines are now vital to efficiency. A single cyber event disrupting these systems could halt production, leading to cascading impacts. Lanowitz underscores the importance of cross-functional collaboration—between cybersecurity, application development, and operations teams—to ensure systems are brought back online effectively and seamlessly.
Innovation vs. Security: A Delicate Balance
One of the most striking findings from the report is that 73% of organizations prioritize innovation over mitigating risk, and 85% are willing to accept security risks in the pursuit of innovation. This trend spans industries, with examples ranging from healthcare’s increased use of robotics in surgeries to transportation companies leveraging AI for optimizing fleet routes. Yet, Lanowitz points out a concerning disconnect: cybersecurity teams are often brought into projects late, treated as an afterthought rather than an integral part of the innovation process. This fragmented approach weakens resilience, leaving organizations vulnerable to threats.
The Case for Secure by Design
Lanowitz stresses the importance of adopting a “secure by design” approach, where security is integrated from the start. Treating security as a core architectural requirement prevents costly redesigns later and supports operational and performance goals. She draws a parallel between neglecting security during development and building a house without planning for heating or cooling systems—essential but often deprioritized elements.
Trusted Advisors and Cybersecurity as a Service
Lanowitz also highlights the growing reliance on cybersecurity-as-a-service (CSaaS) and trusted advisors to bridge gaps in skills and resources. From setting up Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to conducting tabletop exercises and securing IoT networks, organizations increasingly turn to external partners like LevelBlue to fast-track initiatives. By leveraging these advisors, businesses gain industry-specific expertise, enabling tailored and scalable solutions that align security with innovation.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As LevelBlue prepares for its 2025 research, Lanowitz notes an increased focus on software supply chain security and the convergence of IT and operational technology (OT). These areas, coupled with a deeper exploration of how cybersecurity and business functions must align, will shape the next wave of insights into resilience and innovation.
Theresa Lanowitz’s expertise and LevelBlue’s research underscore that building resilience requires more than just technical fixes—it demands an integrated approach where innovation, security, and business goals coexist seamlessly.
Learn more about LevelBlue: https://itspm.ag/levelblue266f6c
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalanowitz/
To learn more, download the complete findings of the 2024 LevelBlue Futures Report: Cyber Resilience in Retail here:
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Guest: Theresa Lanowitz, Chief Evangelist of AT&T Cybersecurity / LevelBlue [@LevelBlueCyber]
On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresalanowitz/
