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tability.ioWhat are Security Department OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
Writing good OKRs can be hard, especially if it's your first time doing it. You'll need to center the focus of your plans around outcomes instead of projects.
We understand that setting OKRs can be challenging, so we have prepared a set of examples tailored for Security Department. Take a peek at the templates below to find inspiration and kickstart your goal-setting process.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
Security Department OKRs examples
You will find in the next section many different Security Department Objectives and Key Results. We've included strategic initiatives in our templates to give you a better idea of the different between the key results (how we measure progress), and the initiatives (what we do to achieve the results).
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to enhance company security standards to safeguard against potential threats
ObjectiveEnhance company security standards to safeguard against potential threats
KRAchieve a 100% completion rate of all recommended security updates and patches
Conduct routine audits to ensure all devices and systems have the latest security patches- Provide ongoing training and awareness programs to educate employees on the importance of installing security updates
- Implement an automated system to regularly scan and identify available security updates
- Establish a policy for prompt installation and deployment of all identified security updates
- KRImplement a comprehensive training program on cybersecurity for all employees
- Create an online platform to provide ongoing access to cybersecurity resources and learning materials
- Schedule regular training sessions to ensure all employees receive cybersecurity education
- Assign qualified trainers to deliver interactive and engaging cybersecurity training sessions
- Develop a customized cybersecurity training curriculum tailored to different employee roles
- KRReduce the average response time to security incidents by 20%
- Streamline incident response workflows to remove unnecessary steps and improve efficiency
- Develop a clear escalation process and ensure all stakeholders are aware and trained
- Conduct regular simulations and exercises to enhance incident response readiness and identify areas for improvement
- Implement automated monitoring systems to identify and alert on security incidents promptly
- KRIncrease the frequency of security audits to at least once every quarter
- Assign specific personnel responsible for conducting security audits
- Develop a standardized reporting format for security audit findings and recommendations
- Implement regular communication channels to track and monitor security audit progress
- Review and update security audit checklist to ensure comprehensive coverage
OKRs to become a computer security expert
- ObjectiveBecome a computer security expert
- KRSuccessfully pass the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) exam with a score of 80% or higher
- KRDevelop and execute a comprehensive security project, receiving positive feedback from industry experts
- Collaborate with industry experts to gather insights and recommendations for improving security measures
- Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented security measures to ensure ongoing protection
- Develop and implement robust security protocols and controls across all systems and processes
- Conduct a thorough assessment of current security vulnerabilities and risks
- KRComplete at least two online courses on computer security, scoring above 90% in each
- Ensure mastery of course materials and aim to score above 90% in assessments
- Devote dedicated hours per week to studying and completing the online courses
- Research and identify two reputable online courses for computer security
- Enroll in the selected online courses on computer security
- KRImplement and manage effective security measures on personal computer resulting in zero malware incidents
- Install a reliable antivirus software program on the personal computer
- Enable automatic software updates for the operating system and all installed applications
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrustworthy sources
- Regularly update the antivirus software to ensure the latest protection against malware
OKRs to implement Crowdstrike enterprise endpoint security with new features
- ObjectiveImplement Crowdstrike enterprise endpoint security with new features
- KRSuccessfully integrate Crowdstrike into 75% of enterprise endpoints by week 8
- Install and configure Crowdstrike on identified endpoints
- Identify and categorize 75% of enterprise endpoints for Crowdstrike integration
- Conduct testing and troubleshooting post-integration
- KRIdentify and document necessary Crowdstrike features for enterprise integration by week 4
- Review Crowdstrike's offerings and identify essential features for enterprise integration
- Establish a deadline for completing this task in week 4
- Document the integration process with all essential features
- KRConduct user training on Crowdstrike's new features for all key staff by week 12
- Identify key staff for Crowdstrike's new features training
- Develop comprehensive user training plan
- Conduct training sessions by week 12
OKRs to enhance security posture and governance as CISO Manager
- ObjectiveEnhance security posture and governance as CISO Manager
- KRReduce 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
- KRConduct 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
- KRImplement 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
OKRs to enhance the effectiveness of the vulnerability management program
- ObjectiveEnhance the effectiveness of the vulnerability management program
- KRImplement updates to the vulnerability detection system by 25%
- Plan and develop necessary system updates and enhancements
- Execute implementation of updated system at 25% capacity
- Assess current vulnerability detection system for potential improvements
- KRConduct training sessions for 80% of the IT staff on improved vulnerability management practices
- Schedule and conduct the training sessions
- Create an advanced vulnerability management curriculum
- Identify IT staff that require vulnerability management training
- KRReduce the number of vulnerability incidents by 30%
- Regularly train staff about online threats
- Implement an updated, robust cybersecurity program
- Run weekly system vulnerability checks
How to write your own Security Department OKRs
1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI
You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Option 3. Use the free OKR generator
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
Security Department OKR best practices
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
The #1 role of OKRs is to help you and your team focus on what really matters. Business-as-usual activities will still be happening, but you do not need to track your entire roadmap in the 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.
Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Don't fall into the set-and-forget trap. It is important to adopt a weekly check-in process to get the full value of your OKRs and make your strategy agile – otherwise this is nothing more than a reporting exercise.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
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 above). 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.
How to track your Security Department OKRs
Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the benefits from the 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
We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.
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.
More Security Department OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.