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---
technique: building-security-stakeholder-management
subdomain: security-leadership
title: "Building Security Stakeholder Management"
description: "Techniques and methodologies for building security stakeholder management"
tags:
  - stakeholder-management
  - executive-engagement
  - security-culture
  - influence
  - communication
metadata:
  mitre-attack: []
---

# Building Security Stakeholder Management

> Develop stakeholder engagement strategies that build security champions, secure executive sponsorship, and drive security culture across the organization.

## Overview

Security stakeholder management ensures that security initiatives have the organizational support, funding, and adoption needed for success. This technique covers stakeholder mapping, engagement strategies, communication frameworks, and security champion programs.

## Core Concepts

- **Stakeholder mapping**: Identify influence, interest, and attitude toward security
- **RACI matrix**: Define roles for security decisions and initiatives
- **Security champions**: Embed security advocates in engineering and business teams
- **Executive sponsorship**: Secure C-level support for security program priorities
- **Communication cadence**: Regular, audience-appropriate security updates

## Workflow

1. Map all stakeholders with influence over security outcomes
2. Assess each stakeholder's interest, influence, and current attitude
3. Categorize stakeholders using power-interest grid
4. Design engagement strategy per stakeholder category
5. Establish RACI matrix for key security decisions
6. Build security champion program with nomination and training
7. Create communication templates for each audience level
8. Implement regular engagement cadence (weekly, monthly, quarterly)
9. Track stakeholder sentiment and engagement metrics
10. Adjust strategy based on feedback and organizational changes

## Implementation

```python
from dataclasses import dataclass, field
from enum import Enum
from typing import Optional


class InfluenceLevel(Enum):
    LOW = 1
    MEDIUM = 2
    HIGH = 3


class InterestLevel(Enum):
    LOW = 1
    MEDIUM = 2
    HIGH = 3


class EngagementStrategy(Enum):
    MONITOR = "monitor"
    KEEP_INFORMED = "keep_informed"
    KEEP_SATISFIED = "keep_satisfied"
    MANAGE_CLOSELY = "manage_closely"


@dataclass
class Stakeholder:
    name: str
    role: str
    influence: InfluenceLevel
    interest: InterestLevel
    is_champion: bool = False

    @property
    def strategy(self) -> EngagementStrategy:
        if self.influence == InfluenceLevel.HIGH and self.interest == InterestLevel.HIGH:
            return EngagementStrategy.MANAGE_CLOSELY
        if self.influence == InfluenceLevel.HIGH:
            return EngagementStrategy.KEEP_SATISFIED
        if self.interest == InterestLevel.HIGH:
            return EngagementStrategy.KEEP_INFORMED
        return EngagementStrategy.MONITOR


class StakeholderManager:
    """Security stakeholder engagement management."""

    def __init__(self) -> None:
        self.stakeholders: list[Stakeholder] = []

    def add_stakeholder(self, stakeholder: Stakeholder) -> None:
        self.stakeholders.append(stakeholder)

    def by_strategy(self, strategy: EngagementStrategy) -> list[Stakeholder]:
        return [s for s in self.stakeholders if s.strategy == strategy]

    def champions(self) -> list[Stakeholder]:
        return [s for s in self.stakeholders if s.is_champion]

    def engagement_summary(self) -> dict:
        return {
            "total": len(self.stakeholders),
            "champions": len(self.champions()),
            "manage_closely": len(self.by_strategy(EngagementStrategy.MANAGE_CLOSELY)),
            "keep_satisfied": len(self.by_strategy(EngagementStrategy.KEEP_SATISFIED)),
            "keep_informed": len(self.by_strategy(EngagementStrategy.KEEP_INFORMED)),
            "monitor": len(self.by_strategy(EngagementStrategy.MONITOR)),
        }
```

## Best Practices

- Map stakeholders before launching any major security initiative
- Tailor communication to audience—executives want risk and cost, engineers want technical detail
- Invest in security champions—they multiply your influence across the organization
- Track engagement metrics—declining attendance signals waning support
- Build relationships before you need them—don't wait for incidents to engage stakeholders
- Rotate champions to prevent burnout and broaden security knowledge distribution

## Stakeholder Engagement Matrix

| Stakeholder | Communication Style | Frequency | Primary Concern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Board | Business risk, financial impact, peer benchmarks | Quarterly | Fiduciary, reputation |
| CEO/COO | Risk posture, incident impact, program ROI | Monthly | Operations, liability |
| CISO/CTO | Program metrics, technical risk, resource needs | Weekly | Execution, talent |
| Legal/Compliance | Regulatory posture, breach obligations | Monthly | Fines, litigation |
| Engineering leads | Secure design patterns, vulnerability SLAs | Biweekly | Speed, friction |
| Finance | Budget requests, ROI, cost of incident | Quarterly | Cost justification |
| Security champions | Threat intel, awareness content, feedback | Monthly | Tools, recognition |

## Related Techniques

- [Building Security Executive Dashboard](../building-security-executive-dashboard/SKILL.md)
- [Implementing Security Roadmap Planning](../implementing-security-roadmap-planning/SKILL.md)
