Mistakes When Building a Cybersecurity Team and How to Avoid Them

Keeping up with the latest cyber threats has become a daily challenge for businesses in almost any industry, especially with the added complexity brought by AI-driven attackers and increasingly sophisticated attack methods. Well-prepared cybersecurity teams are key for companies to stay sharp and proactively detect, mitigate, and respond to cybersecurity challenges before they escalate. 

At the same time, finding and retaining skilled experts remains one of the biggest hiring challenges in the cybersecurity industry — with over 4 million jobs unfilled worldwide, according to the World Economic Forum. Furthermore, 70% of organizations acknowledge that the talent shortage exposes them to additional operational risks.

These numbers demonstrate not only the importance of recruiting qualified people for the role to strengthen and future-proof your teams but also investing in continuous upskilling as part of your cybersecurity talent acquisition strategy. Organizations failing to adapt to this reality risk leaving critical vulnerabilities unaddressed.

Let’s explore common cyber security mistakes leaders should avoid and share some practical insights on how to build and manage a resilient security team that adapts to evolving threats.

People & Hiring Mistakes

Underestimating the Need for Cybersecurity Expertise

Don’t assume you know everything in cyber. One of the most critical cybersecurity team mistakes is failing to recognize the need for specialized expertise. Many companies mistakenly believe that their IT team can handle security responsibilities in addition to their core IT functions. However, cybersecurity is a discipline of its own that requires advanced knowledge of risk management, incident response, and compliance requirements. 

General IT teams often lack deep expertise in identifying sophisticated cyber threats, responding to zero-day vulnerabilities, and implementing strategic security frameworks. This expertise gap leaves organizations exposed to attacks, financial losses, and regulatory penalties. As cybercriminals push the boundaries with AI, automation, and supply chain attacks, a dedicated cybersecurity team isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore but a must for any company looking to stay in the game long-term. 

If you’re in the process of evaluating your cybersecurity posture and figuring out the next steps, check out our recent article with expert insights on cybersecurity readiness.

How to avoid this mistake:

• View the cybersecurity function as an integral part of business growth rather than a compliance addition.
• Conduct a cyber risk assessment to determine the level of expertise required for your industry and business model.
• Develop a cybersecurity hiring strategy that includes specific job roles such as security analysts, penetration testers, compliance officers, and incident response specialists.
• Establish relationships with other teams, vendors, and external partners for effective cybersecurity leadership.

Hiring Based on Technical Skills Alone

Recruitment difficulties in cybersecurity often stem from focusing too much on technical skills while ignoring soft skills like communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Cybersecurity experts don’t exist in isolation and need to collaborate with IT, legal, compliance, and CxOs to align security measures with broader company goals or gain executive buy-in for essential security investments.

New leaders often fail by focusing too much on technical expertise while overlooking the broader security landscape, missing the opportunity to cultivate a proactive security culture that strengthens defenses across the entire organization. Companies that build a security-first mindset — where everyone understands their role in protecting data — see fewer human-related security incidents. 

How to avoid this mistake:

• Evaluate candidates based on both technical and soft skills, ensuring they can communicate risks effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Include real-world problem-solving exercises in the hiring process to assess candidates’ ability to handle incidents under pressure.
• Encourage ongoing leadership development for cybersecurity professionals to foster collaboration and strategic thinking.

Not Considering the Right Hiring Model

Many companies automatically assume they need to hire in-house cybersecurity experts without fully weighing the benefits of outsourcing. But depending on your business needs, an outsourced model can offer more flexibility, access to specialized talent, and potential cost savings.

There are two common outsourcing approaches:

• Dedicated cybersecurity teams: external professionals who work as part of your organization, handling security projects, compliance, and risk management just like an in-house team.
• Managed security service providers (MSSPs): a hands-off approach where an external company takes care of security monitoring, incident response, and compliance management, allowing your internal team to focus on other priorities.

Choosing the right model comes down to your security needs, risk exposure, and vendor capabilities, so it’s worth taking the time to evaluate what fits your business best. Discover more insights on how to assess and select the right cybersecurity vendor from Bilal Aldebe, Beetroot’s Account Executive for the Nordics, in this expert guide.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Invest in cybersecurity consulting services to bridge gaps while building an internal team.
• Assess the cost vs. expertise trade-off between an in-house team and a managed security service provider (MSSP).
• Consider a hybrid approach, where an internal team focuses on core security tasks while an outsourced partner handles advanced threat detection and compliance monitoring.
• Regularly evaluate your cybersecurity posture to determine whether outsourcing is still the right fit as your company scales.

Process & Strategy Cybersecurity Mistakes

Lack of Clear Roles and Responsibilities

A well-structured cybersecurity team depends on clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Without them, security efforts can become disorganized, leading to duplicated efforts, miscommunication, or critical vulnerabilities being overlooked. When responsibilities are unclear, teams may struggle to coordinate responses to security incidents, delaying action and increasing risk exposure.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Develop a clear team structure with designated responsibilities for risk management, incident response, vulnerability management, and compliance.
• Establish well-documented workflows and escalation paths for handling security threats.
• Regularly review and update role descriptions to adapt to evolving threats and technologies.

Not Setting Clear Goals

Cybersecurity leaders sometimes view security and business value delivery as separate priorities, but the reality is that integrating security from the start minimizes risks and strengthens overall operations. The first step in goal-setting should be understanding where the organization currently stands in terms of security maturity and key metrics.

Another common mistake is failing to establish clear, measurable goals for the cybersecurity team. Without a defined direction, security policies and processes tend to become reactive rather than proactive, addressing threats only after an incident occurs instead of working to prevent them.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Align security goals with business objectives, ensuring cybersecurity supports company growth.
• Define security metrics based on SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals to measure progress.
• Implement a security roadmap that evolves with business needs and technological advancements.

Failing to Invest in Training and Development

A cybersecurity team is only as strong as its ability to adapt. Security is not static — it demands an agile mindset where teams proactively adapt to new risks rather than simply responding to incidents as they arise. 

Cybercriminals constantly refine their techniques, leveraging AI-driven automation, deepfake phishing, and social engineering to breach defenses. Additionally, evolving regulatory requirements demand that cybersecurity professionals stay current with frameworks such as ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR, and SOC 2. Without ongoing training and development, security teams risk falling behind, using outdated defense strategies against modern attacks. 

How to avoid this mistake:

• Provide continuous cybersecurity training and encourage industry certifications such as CISSP, CISM, and CEH.
• Invest in cross-training initiatives to expand expertise in cloud security, penetration testing, and compliance.
• Leverage custom tech training workshops tailored to address specific security challenges.

To better understand the role of skill development in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity and some practical advice on team upskilling, check out our recent article.

Neglecting Cybersecurity Culture

A company’s cybersecurity culture directly impacts how well security policies are understood and followed across teams. When security is treated as a core responsibility rather than an afterthought, employees are more likely to adopt best practices and recognize their role in protecting the organization. Without a strong security culture, even the best technology and policies won’t be enough to prevent breaches.

 How to avoid this mistake:

• Foster a security-first mindset where employees understand their role in protecting company data.
• Cybersecurity should be built in, not bolted on, and integral to every feature, product, and business process from day one.
• Security teams should follow strategic principles that align security with business outcomes.
• Implement ongoing security awareness programs and phishing simulations to reinforce secure behaviors.
• Encourage leadership to model security best practices, making cybersecurity a business priority rather than an IT concern.

Not Delegating Tasks

New cybersecurity leaders often fall into the trap of trying to manage every security challenge themselves, which not only leads to burnout but also creates operational bottlenecks. Cybersecurity is a team effort, and failing to delegate appropriately can slow down response times, limit skill development within the team, and decrease overall effectiveness.

Leaders need to see delegation not as giving up control but as a way to boost efficiency and build trust within the team. When done right, delegation allows team members to apply their specialized expertise, while leadership can stay focused on strategic oversight, risk management, and long-term planning.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Identify team members’ strengths and assign responsibilities accordingly.
• Establish clear workflows and escalation paths for incident response.
• Provide training and mentorship to junior employees, preparing them for greater responsibilities.

Not Seeking Feedback

Having a culture of transparency and trust is fundamental for effective cybersecurity teams. When employees feel confident that leadership values their input, they are more likely to report security gaps early, leading to proactive risk mitigation rather than reactive damage control. 

Transparency in decision-making, clear communication about security policies, and a leadership approach that encourages constructive feedback all contribute to a strong security culture. Without a structured feedback system, cybersecurity leaders risk making decisions in isolation, overlooking and failing to address process inefficiencies before they escalate into major security incidents. Conversely, ignoring feedback discourages team members from reporting security concerns, creating a culture of silence where critical issues go unnoticed and unresolved.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Set up a continuous feedback loop where employees can report security concerns without fear of repercussions.
• Conduct quarterly security reviews with stakeholders to refine policies and improve team performance.
• Foster a culture of psychological safety, ensuring that cybersecurity professionals feel comfortable discussing security.
• Actively encourage open discussions, reward transparency, and model vulnerability by admitting mistakes and showing a willingness to learn from feedback.

Business & Operational Mistakes

Failing to Align Cybersecurity with Business Goals

Cybersecurity is a strategic business function that directly impacts long-term success. When security strategies are disconnected from broader company objectives, they can lead to inefficiencies, slow down innovation, and leave critical business risks unaddressed. Security should be embedded into business growth, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency, ensuring it strengthens, rather than restricts, business operations.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Ensure cybersecurity leaders are involved in business strategy discussions to align security efforts with company priorities.
• Implement risk-based security planning, focusing resources on the most critical threats to the business.
• Educate executives and stakeholders on how cybersecurity enhances business resilience and protects long-term value.

Underestimating Cybersecurity Budget Needs

A well-planned cybersecurity budget isn’t just an expense — it’s an investment in business continuity and risk reduction. Many companies struggle with cybersecurity budgeting, either underfunding critical security initiatives or misallocating resources to tools that don’t address their biggest risks. Underinvestment leaves organizations vulnerable, while spending without a clear strategy can create inefficiencies. 

How to avoid this mistake:

• Base cybersecurity budgets on risk assessments and business impact analysis, not just industry benchmarks.
• Prioritize cost-effective security investments that provide measurable protection, such as employee training, threat detection, and incident response planning.
• Regularly review and adjust the budget to keep up with evolving threats and compliance requirements.

Not Defining Key Cybersecurity Metrics

The road to cybersecurity success lies in continuous progress tracking, improving resilience, and making data-driven decisions. Without clear cybersecurity metrics, companies have no way to measure security effectiveness, track improvements, or justify investments. Vague reporting makes it harder to demonstrate ROI and leaves leadership in the dark about actual security performance.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Establish key security metrics, such as incident response times, vulnerability remediation rates, and security awareness training completion.
• Use risk-based reporting to highlight the impact of security efforts on business continuity and compliance.
• Ensure that cybersecurity KPIs are reviewed regularly and adjusted based on emerging threats and industry benchmarks.

Ongoing Security Management Mistakes

Treating Cybersecurity as a One-Time Project Instead of an Ongoing Process

Cybersecurity isn’t a one-and-done effort. It’s a continuous process that evolves alongside new threats, technologies, and business changes. Companies that take a set-it-and-forget-it approach often fall behind, leaving themselves vulnerable to new attack vectors.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Adopt a continuous improvement mindset, regularly updating security policies, tools, and training.
• Implement routine security assessments, penetration testing, and compliance audits.
• Stay informed on emerging cyber threats and adjust security strategies accordingly.

Not Planning for Incident Response

A cybersecurity breach is not a matter of if, but when. Yet many organizations lack a clear, well-tested incident response plan to minimize damage and speed up recovery. Without proper planning, breaches can cause longer downtime, higher costs, and greater reputational damage.

How to avoid this mistake:

• Develop and regularly update an incident response plan, detailing roles, escalation paths, and communication protocols.
• Conduct tabletop exercises and live simulations to test response effectiveness.
• Establish a post-incident review process to identify gaps and improve future responses.

To Sum Up: Addressing Cybersecurity Team Challenges

Building an effective cybersecurity team requires strategic hiring, well-defined security policies, and continuous investment in training and development. Without the right expertise, structured processes, and a security-aware culture, organizations risk falling behind in an increasingly threat-heavy environment.

A strong cybersecurity strategy goes beyond just hiring the right people. It means aligning security efforts with business objectives, ensuring adequate budget allocation, and tracking key security metrics to measure effectiveness. Organizations that fail to integrate cybersecurity into their long-term strategy often face operational inefficiencies, increased vulnerabilities, and compliance failures.

Beetroot helps businesses strengthen their security posture with tailored cybersecurity expertise — whether through strategic consulting, dedicated security teams, or customized training programs designed to bridge skill gaps. If you’re looking to build a resilient, future-ready security team, get in touch to see how we can help.