In today’s evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity is no longer confined to IT departments; it’s a cross-functional, enterprisewide priority. For U.S. organizations, building a cybersecurity team that blends technical depth with strategic business insight is essential to protecting assets, maintaining compliance, and enabling growth.
Building an effective team requires balancing deep technical knowledge with strategic business acumen, bridging the gap between operational needs and risk management.
Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company or a scaling startup, assembling a multifunctional cybersecurity team is key to putting a Secure by Design approach into practice. The following article will address some FAQs related to building a multifunctional cybersecurity team.
Do You Still Need a Team If You Have AI Tools?
With the rise of AI-powered threat detection and response platforms, some U.S. businesses may consider reducing headcount. But AI is not a substitute for skilled professionals.
- AI increases your digital footprint, and your threat surface.
- Human oversight is critical for responsible AI implementation.
- According to IBM’s 2025 Cost of a Data Breach report, over half of breached organizations suffer from cybersecurity staffing shortages.
The bottom line: AI can enhance your defenses, but it cannot replace the knowledge and experience of a well-rounded team.
What Are the Core Roles in a U.S. Cybersecurity Team?
- Technical Specialists
These are your frontline defenders and system guardians. Their knowledge grows with your threat surface. Technical specialists are responsible for various workstreams.
- Incident Responders: Contain and remediate active threats under pressure.
- Investigators: Conduct forensic analysis to uncover root causes and inform future defenses.
- Toolset Managers: Maintain and optimize security information and event management (SIEM), endpoint detection and response (EDR), firewalls, and other tools.
- Domain Specialists: Focus on SAP, cloud, or database environments to protect high-value assets.
These specialists often need support translating their work to non-technical stakeholders— enter the next category.
- Strategic Translators
Cybersecurity must align with business goals. These roles bridge the gap between technical execution and strategic planning:
- Project/Product Managers: Coordinate cross-functional security initiatives and incident response protocols.
- Technical Communicators: Translate complex cyber requirements into business-friendly documentation.
- Training Coordinators: Own employee education programs, including phishing simulations and compliance training.
As your organization grows, this group expands to include more specialized PMs and management layers.
- The CISO as a Strategic Advocate
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) plays a pivotal role in aligning cybersecurity with business strategy.
- Quantifies technical risks in business terms.
- Aligns security metrics with key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Advocates for cybersecurity investments at the executive level.
For smaller U.S. businesses, a virtual CISO (vCISO) offers strategic guidance without the cost of a full-time hire, often more effective than assigning cyber responsibilities to a CIO or CTO.
How Can External Partnerships Be Leveraged for Flexibility?
Not every business can afford a full in-house team. Third-party partnerships offer scalability and experience:
- Cybersecurity Consultants: Support audits, penetration testing, and compliance (such as HIPAA, CCPA, etc.).
- Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs): Handle monitoring and incident response.
- Independent Auditors: Provide unbiased assessments and uncover blind spots.
Why Is Continuous Education a Non-Negotiable?
Cyberthreats evolve daily. Your team must evolve, too. Adaptability is the ultimate cyber skill. It is imperative that multifunctional teams feel empowered to expand their learning and knowledge. Consider the following to assist with educational growth:
- Encourage certifications like CISSP and OSCP.
- Conduct red team exercises and penetration tests.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration to build resilience and versatility.
How Forvis Mazars Can Help
A multifunctional cybersecurity team thrives on diversity of skills, perspectives, and responsibilities. By combining technical depth with strategic insight, U.S. businesses can foster a proactive security culture that scales with growth. Whether you're expanding your in-house capabilities or exploring third-party partnerships, Forvis Mazars can help you design a cybersecurity strategy that fits your U.S. business needs. Visit https://www.forvismazars.us/services/consulting/it-risk-compliance or contact us to schedule a cybersecurity team assessment today. Also, be sure to check out our upcoming 2025 Cybersecurity Virtual Symposium | Forvis Mazars, October 14–15, where industry leaders and professionals will tackle 2025 cybersecurity challenges and trends.
