14 OKR examples for It Security Manager

What are It Security Manager OKRs?

The OKR acronym stands for Objectives and Key Results. It's a goal-setting framework that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s, and it became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s. OKRs helps teams has a shared language to set ambitious goals and track progress towards them.

Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.

We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for It Security Manager to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.

If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read more about the OKR meaning online.

Best practices for managing your It Security Manager OKRs

Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.

Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇

Tip #1: Limit the number of key results

Focus can only be achieve by limiting the number of competing priorities. It is crucial that you take the time to identify where you need to move the needle, and avoid adding business-as-usual activities to your OKRs.

We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.

Tability's audit dashboard will highlight opportunities to improve OKRs

Tip #2: Commit to the weekly check-ins

Having good goals is only half the effort. You'll get significant more value from your OKRs if you commit to a weekly check-in process.

Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.

Tability's check-ins will save you hours and increase transparency

Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row

Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples below). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.

Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.

Building your own It Security Manager OKRs with AI

While we have some examples below, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here. There are 2 options available to you.

Use our free OKRs generator
Use Tability, a complete platform to set and track OKRs and initiatives
including a GPT-4 powered goal generator

Best way to track your It Security Manager OKRs

Your quarterly OKRs should be tracked weekly in order to get all the benefits of the OKRs framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
It will highlight poorly set OKRs
It will surface execution risks
It improves transparency and accountability

Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.

Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.

It Security Manager OKRs templates

We've covered most of the things that you need to know about setting good OKRs and tracking them effectively. It's now time to give you a series of templates that you can use for inspiration!

You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for It Security Manager. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.

Hope you'll find this helpful!

OKRs to implement network DLP to limit disruption and data loss

Implement network DLP to limit disruption and data loss
Increase DLP coverage across all critical systems by 60%
Regularly review and update DLP protection strategy
Implement DLP solutions on identified systems
Identify all critical systems lacking DLP protection
Ensure 80% of employees are trained in DLP policy compliance by end of quarter
Identify employees needing DLP policy training
Monitor and record employees' training progress
Schedule mandatory DLP compliance training sessions
Reduce data security incidents by 40% with DLP integration
Implement DLP software across all company systems
Train employees on data loss prevention practices
Continually monitor and update DLP systems as needed

Track these OKRs

OKRs to implement and maintain SOCII compliance measures

Ensure ongoing SOCII compliance
Conduct regular testing and auditing to assess SOCII compliance status
Train and educate all relevant teams on SOCII compliance regulations and best practices
Monitor and promptly address any SOCII compliance gaps or violations identified
Establish a dedicated team to promptly address and resolve any identified SOCII compliance issues
Implement corrective measures to address identified SOCII compliance gaps promptly
Conduct regular audits to identify any SOCII compliance gaps or violations
Maintain a vigilant monitoring system to detect any new SOCII compliance violations
Implement and maintain necessary controls and processes to meet SOCII requirements
Conduct initial assessment of current controls and processes to identify gaps
Develop and document new controls and processes to fulfill SOCII requirements
Regularly monitor and evaluate controls and processes to ensure ongoing compliance
Train and educate employees on the importance and execution of SOCII controls

socii-compliance information-security-controls compliance-officer it-security-manager compliance-team it-security-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to improve website security through effective deployment of content security policy

Improve website security through effective deployment of content security policy
Reduce the number of security breaches and incidents related to content vulnerabilities
Develop and implement comprehensive content security policies and guidelines
Regularly update and patch content management systems and software to mitigate security risks
Provide ongoing training and awareness programs to educate employees about content vulnerabilities
Conduct regular security audits to identify and address content vulnerabilities
Increase overall security rating of the website as measured by independent security auditing tools
Implement SSL/TLS certificates to enable secure HTTPS communication for the website
Conduct penetration tests to identify and fix potential weak points in the website's security
Implement strong and unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular user access reviews
Regularly update and patch all software and plugins to address known vulnerabilities
Implement and activate content security policy across all website pages
Define and document the content security policy guidelines and restrictions
Conduct a thorough website audit to identify potential security vulnerabilities
Test and validate the implemented content security policy for effectiveness and accuracy
Modify website code to include the content security policy header on all pages
Enhance user experience by minimizing false positive alerts from the content security policy
Implement machine learning algorithms to optimize content security policy detection
Analyze log data to identify patterns and fine-tune alert triggers
Review and update content security policy rules for better accuracy
Collaborate with developers to eliminate false positives through code improvements

website-security content-security-policy security-manager web-developer it-security-team web-development-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to enhance IT infrastructure and optimize helpdesk processes for improved efficiency

Enhance IT infrastructure and optimize helpdesk processes for improved efficiency
Increase customer satisfaction rating by 15% by implementing enhanced self-service options
Monitor customer satisfaction rating to measure the impact of enhanced self-service options
Conduct customer research to gather feedback and identify desired self-service features
Implement new self-service features based on customer feedback and identified areas of improvement
Evaluate current self-service options and identify potential areas of improvement
Achieve at least 90% compliance with IT security protocols through regular audits and training
Conduct quarterly audits to assess compliance with IT security protocols
Address any identified non-compliance issues promptly and provide appropriate corrective actions
Provide continuous monitoring and feedback to ensure adherence to IT security protocols
Develop and implement regular training programs to educate employees on IT security protocols
Reduce average resolution time by 20% through streamlined helpdesk workflows
Analyze helpdesk data and identify bottlenecks to optimize and streamline workflows for faster resolution
Conduct regular training sessions for helpdesk staff to improve technical skills and efficiency
Implement automated ticket routing system to assign tickets to appropriate support agents
Develop standardized troubleshooting guides and knowledge base articles for common issues
Improve system availability by 10% through infrastructure upgrades and proactive maintenance
Develop and implement a proactive maintenance plan to prevent potential system failures
Implement necessary infrastructure upgrades based on the assessment findings
Monitor and analyze system performance regularly to identify any potential issues in advance
Conduct a thorough infrastructure assessment to identify potential areas for upgrade

customer-satisfaction it-security it-operations-manager helpdesk-support-staff it-infrastructure-team it-support-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to strengthen cybersecurity to reduce incidents by 50%

Improve cybersecurity to minimize incidents
Create and test updated incident response and disaster recovery procedures
Develop and document updated incident response and disaster recovery plans
Identify stakeholders and their roles in incident response and disaster recovery
Train employees on updated procedures and conduct mock drills
Evaluate effectiveness of updated procedures and make necessary adjustments
Increase the number of cybersecurity training sessions attended by employees
Regularly communicate the importance of cybersecurity to employees
Develop engaging cybersecurity training content
Offer incentives for attending cybersecurity training sessions
Implement mandatory cybersecurity training for all employees
Conduct two external security audits to identify vulnerabilities
Review and implement audit findings
Monitor security vulnerabilities and take appropriate actions
Share relevant security information
Hire third-party audit firms
Implement two-factor authentication for high-risk data access
Implement authentication for high-risk data
Choose two-factor authentication method
Train employees on new authentication method
Test and monitor authentication effectiveness

cybersecurity incidents security-analyst it-manager security-team it-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to improve Identity Access Management for large scale clients

Improve Identity Access Management for large scale clients
Reduce access credential errors by 20%
Introduce regular password update reminders for employees
Implement a comprehensive access credential training program
Upgrade access security software to reduce login errors
Implement two-factor authentication for 90% of big customers
Deploy system to selected clients
Develop and test two-factor authentication system
Identify 90% of biggest clients requiring two-factor authentication
Increase security incident response speed by 30%
Train staff in faster threat identification procedures
Implement automated threat detection and response tools
Streamline incident reporting and escalation processes

identity-access-management two-factor-authentication security-manager it-administrator security-team it-operations-team

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OKRs to enhance network security measures

Strengthen network security
Conduct regular vulnerability assessments and remediation
Implement two-factor authentication on all devices
Decrease number of successful network breaches by 50%
Train 100% of employees on cybersecurity best practices

network-security cyber-threats network-security-analyst security-operations-manager it-director

Track these OKRs

OKRs to enhance security posture and governance as CISO Manager

Enhance security posture and governance as CISO Manager
Reduce the number of security incidents by 20%
Enhance employee training on cybersecurity practices
Increase monitoring and intrusion detection efforts
Implement routine system updates and security patches
Conduct quarterly cybersecurity training for all employees
Schedule and announce training sessions to all employees
Identify relevant cybersecurity topics for training modules
Develop comprehensive yet straightforward training materials
Implement multi-factor authentication for 90% of systems
Identify which systems currently lack multi-factor authentication
Monitor and report regularly on progress until 90% completion
Instigate the addition of multi-factor authentication to necessary systems

security-posture multi-factor-authentication ciso-manager cybersecurity-trainer security-team it-department

Track these OKRs

OKRs to enhance security measures to mitigate OTP attacks

Enhance security measures to mitigate OTP attacks
Reduce unauthorized access attempts by 50% through enhanced account lockout mechanisms
Increase employee awareness and adherence to security protocols through regular training sessions
Conduct bi-weekly security training sessions for all employees
Offer incentives or rewards for employees who consistently demonstrate adherence to security protocols
Provide employees with updated written materials outlining security protocols
Utilize interactive training methods, such as quizzes or simulations, to engage employees
Improve OTP delivery and verification mechanisms to ensure prompt and secure delivery
Implement multi-factor authentication for all critical systems and user accounts
Select and implement a reliable and user-friendly multi-factor authentication solution
Regularly monitor and review multi-factor authentication logs and make necessary enhancements
Notify all users of the upcoming implementation and provide necessary training and guidelines
Conduct a thorough inventory of all critical systems and user accounts

security-protocols multi-factor-authentication cybersecurity-manager security-training-facilitator it-security-team hr-development-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to enhance application security knowledge and awareness among teams

Improve application security knowledge and awareness
Increase the frequency of security checklist reviews by 50%
Conduct at least one security training session per team
Provide secure coding guidelines and best practices to each team
Implement a mandatory security certification program for all teams

application-security knowledge it-security-manager training-coordinator development-team-lead

Track these OKRs

OKRs to successfully complete Micro-segmentation for Tier1 and Tier2 applications

Successfully complete Micro-segmentation for Tier1 and Tier2 applications
Implement micro-segmentation for at least 60% of prioritized applications
Develop a diagram detailing each application's segmentation
Execute approved micro-segmentation plan across identified apps
Identify top 60% of high-priority apps for micro-segmentation
Identify and prioritize all Tier1 and Tier2 applications by end of first month
Evaluate the importance and usage of listed applications
Compile a list of all Tier1 and Tier2 applications
Rank applications based on evaluation results
Develop an individualized micro-segmentation plan for 75% of identified applications
Identify key characteristics of each application for segmentation
Implement segmentation plans on 75% of selected applications
Create customized micro-segmentation strategy for each application

micro-segmentation tier1-and-tier2-applications micro-segmentation-strategist it-project-manager it-security-team application-analysis-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to enhance MFA capabilities and user access review process

Enhance MFA capabilities and user access review process
Conduct user access reviews for 100% of active accounts
Resolve any inappropriate access findings
Identify all active accounts in the system
Review access privileges for each account
Implement an advanced MFA system with at least 95% successful user authentication rate
Monitor and improve authentication success rate post-implementation
Identify a reliable advanced MFA system to install
Plan and execute staff training on the MFA system
Train all employees on new MFA capabilities and access review processes to boost compliance by 90%
Plan a comprehensive training on new MFA capabilities for all employees
Monitor and track compliance rates, aiming to achieve a 90% increase
Conduct the training, focusing on access review processes

multi-factor-authentication user-access-review information-security-officer compliance-manager it-security-team compliance-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to enhance cybersecurity maturity in the organization

Enhance cybersecurity maturity in the organization
Implement a cybersecurity awareness training program for 85% of the staff
Schedule training sessions with 85% of staff
Track and report staff training completion
Identify suitable cybersecurity training program for staff
Reduce the number of security incidents by 30%
Implement regular, mandatory cybersecurity training sessions
Update all systems and applications routinely
Enable stringent password protocols
Achieve ISO 27001 cybersecurity certification
Prepare and pass the ISO 27001 audit
Implement necessary controls and security measures
Conduct a comprehensive risk assessment of your information security system

cybersecurity-training iso-27001-certification information-security-manager training-coordinator it-team hr-team

Track these OKRs

OKRs to increase effectiveness of fraud detection systems

Increase effectiveness of fraud detection systems
Train staff on improved systems to ensure 100% compliance within the quarter
Schedule comprehensive training sessions on improved systems
Organize evaluation to confirm complete compliance
Monitor staff progress and address any issues
Reduce false positives rate by 10%
Implement machine learning algorithms to improve detection accuracy
Regularly review and adjust error thresholds
Refine selection criteria and verification policies
Increase detection algorithm accuracy by at least 15%
Revise existing detection algorithm for improved accuracy
Implement more rigorous algorithm testing methods
Gather comprehensive dataset for better training

fraud-detection training-staff training-manager fraud-detection-specialist compliance-team it-security-team

Track these OKRs

More It Security Manager OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

OKRs resources

Here are a list of resources to help you adopt the Objectives and Key Results framework.

To learn: Complete 2024 OKR cheat sheet
Blog posts: ODT Blog
Success metrics: KPIs examples