Regulatory Compliance Failures Linked to Fragmented Network-Security Operations
INE Security Research Reveals How IT Team Silos Create Systematic Compliance Vulnerabilities
CARY, NC – October 21 – INE Security, a leading provider of cybersecurity training and certification, released analysis showing how fragmented network and security operations directly undermine regulatory compliance efforts. Based on research with nearly 1,000 IT professionals, the findings reveal that the widespread operational silos between networking and security teams create systematic vulnerabilities in the technical controls that compliance frameworks require.
"Compliance frameworks like ISO27001, PCI, and SOC2 all assume integration between networking and security, especially as you scale," said Jamie Kahgee, VP of Technology and Product at INE. "But our research shows that only 33% of professionals feel well-prepared to handle the intersection of these disciplines, while 57% collaborate with counterparts only half the time or less. This fragmentation directly impacts an organization's ability to implement and maintain the technical controls that auditors expect to see."
The research identifies a critical disconnect: while 75% of professionals recognize networking and cybersecurity as integrated disciplines, the majority operate in silos that create compliance blind spots across access control, change management, incident response, and monitoring—all areas that regulatory frameworks scrutinize heavily.
How Operational Fragmentation Creates Compliance Vulnerabilities
The research documented that nearly one in five professionals (18%) identified knowledge gaps as their primary challenge, while organizational misalignment affects nearly a quarter of respondents. These operational realities translate directly into compliance failures:
Access Control Requirements: Compliance frameworks universally require comprehensive access control implementation and documentation. However, when networking teams manage network access separately from security teams handling application access, organizations struggle to demonstrate the unified access control posture that auditors require. The research identified access control as one of six critical areas where networking and security operations must integrate—yet most organizations maintain separate processes.
Change Management Audit Trails: HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOC 2 all require documented change management processes with security review. The research found that 57% of professionals collaborate with counterparts in the opposite specialty only "sometimes" or "about half the time." This limited coordination means network configuration changes often bypass security review, while security policy updates get implemented without considering network architecture constraints. The result: incomplete audit trails and controls that don't function as documented.
Network Segmentation Controls: PCI-DSS mandates network segmentation for cardholder data environments. HIPAA requires ePHI isolation. SOC 2 demands logical access controls through network architecture. Yet the research found that when security teams specify segmentation requirements without understanding network topology, and network engineers implement configurations without grasping security intent, the resulting controls fail to satisfy compliance requirements.
Incident Response Coordination: Every major compliance framework requires documented, tested incident response procedures. The research revealed that only 37% of professionals collaborate with their counterparts "most of the time" or "always." This fragmentation becomes acutely problematic during incidents when rapid coordination between networking and security teams is essential—and when auditors review incident response documentation looking for evidence of effective cross-functional processes.
Monitoring and Logging Coverage: Organizations with high levels of security and IT complexity face breach costs averaging $1.2 million higher than those with streamlined, integrated environments. Much of this stems from monitoring gaps that occur when networking and security teams maintain separate systems. Compliance frameworks require comprehensive logging across infrastructure, but fragmented teams create coverage gaps, inconsistent retention policies, and incomplete log aggregation—all findings that trigger audit exceptions.
"The operational friction we documented isn't just an efficiency problem—it's a compliance risk," said Tracy Wallace, Director of Content Development at INE Security. "When teams struggle to communicate effectively, compliance controls that look good on paper fail in practice."
The Cross-Training Imperative for Compliance Readiness
The research demonstrates that cross-trained professionals eliminate compliance vulnerabilities by understanding how regulatory requirements translate into both network architecture and security controls. They implement changes that satisfy auditors because they grasp both security policy intent and network implementation reality.
Organizations face downtime costs averaging $5,600 per minute when teams cannot coordinate effectively during incidents—a figure that escalates dramatically when compliance violations compound the operational impact. Cross-training addresses this by ensuring professionals can respond to incidents with both speed and compliance awareness.
"We're seeing growing recognition that compliance isn't about checking boxes—it's about operational reality," Kahgee concluded. "Organizations that develop professionals who understand both networking and security domains don't just pass audits more easily. They achieve the security outcomes that compliance frameworks intend to create, which is genuine risk reduction."
Recommendations for Compliance and Risk Management Leaders
Based on the research findings, INE Security recommends that compliance officers and risk management teams:
Assess organizational fragmentation in the six critical convergence areas where compliance controls depend on networking-security integration
Prioritize cross-training initiatives that address documented collaboration gaps, particularly in change management and incident response
Establish integrated documentation practices that reflect actual cross-functional processes rather than theoretical separation
Recognize compliance readiness as an integration challenge requiring workforce development, not just policy creation
The complete research report, "Wired Together: The Case for Cross-Training in Networking and Cybersecurity," provides detailed analysis of operational fragmentation impacts and practical implementation guidance for building integrated capabilities.
About INE Security
INE Security is the premier provider of online networking and cybersecurity training and cybersecurity certifications. Harnessing a powerful hands-on lab platform, cutting-edge technology, a global video distribution network, and world-class instructors, INE Security is the top training choice for Fortune 500 companies worldwide for cybersecurity training in business and for IT professionals looking to advance their careers. INE Security’s suite of learning paths offers an incomparable depth of expertise across cybersecurity. The company is committed to delivering advanced technical training while also lowering the barriers worldwide for those looking to enter and excel in an IT career.
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