A good friend told me that an engaged information security professional is one who leads with the KNOW instead of the NO. This comment struck me and has resonated well for the last several years. It has encouraged me to better understand the desires of the business areas in an attempt to avoid the perception of being the "no police”. 

We are each able to recognize the value in sprinkling in the information security concepts early and often into software development projects. This approach saves each of the stakeholders a great deal of time and frustration. Especially when compared to the very opposite approach that often causes the information security team to learn at the very last minute of a new high profile project that is about to launch without the proper level of information security engagement.

There are certainly projects and initiatives that may very well still warrant a “no” from an information security perspective. Before we go there by default, I respectfully invite us all to KNOW before we NO. I truly believe that each of us can all improve the level of engagement with our respective business areas by considering this approach. In what areas can you KNOW before you NO next week?

Please leave what works in our comments section below.

Russell Eubanks

ISC Handler

@russelleubanks