IT modernization is confounded by shoestring budgets, system incompatibilities, and the inability to take critical systems offline for long enough to transition to more modern and secure technology. Despite all appearances, however, modernization is not actually governed by dollars and hardware. Cybersecurity modernization is a state of mind. It is a battle that CIOs and CISOs must wage against the ignorance and disinterest of key decision-makers.

In this brief, entitled "Dispelling the Fear of IT Modernization: A Realistic Approach to Justifying Legacy Modernization, Acquiring Trained Personnel, and Improving Organizational Communication," the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology takes a fresh look at the topic of IT modernization and offers actionable insights for commercial and public sector leaders, including:

  • The Benefits of System Modernization (Automatic Cybersecurity and Maintenance, Optimized System Efficiency, etc.)
  • The Risks of Minimal Compliance
  • Suggested Modernization Solutions (Identity Access Management, Cyber Workforce Education, Improved Internal Communication, Simplified Networks, Zero Trust Security Models, Layered Endpoint Security, Security by Design, etc.)
  • The role of the C-Suite in Modernization

This paper was authored by James Scott, Sr. Fellow, ICIT.

ICIT would like to thank the following Fellows who contributed to this brief:

  • Mike Ainsworth, ICIT Fellow & Director, Sales Engineering, McAfee
  • Juan Espinosa, ICIT Fellow & Senior Project Manager, Parsons
  • Travis Farral, ICIT Fellow & Director of Security Strategy, Anomali
  • Tim Hill, ICIT Fellow & Director, Product Management, Centrify
  • John Kupcisnki, ICIT Fellow & Director, Cybersecurity, KPMG
  • Don Maclean, ICIT Fellow & Chief Cybersecurity Technologist, DLT Solutions
  • Tom Pace, ICIT Fellow & Sr. Director, Worldwide Consulting, Cylance
  • Rob Roy, ICIT Fellow & Public Sector CTO, Micro Focus Government Solutions

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