When I think about my career so far, three major disciplines have shaped my day-to-day work more than anything else: Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Project Management. These areas aren’t just checkboxes on a resume—they’re deeply interconnected, and understanding how they overlap is key to delivering meaningful results in today’s tech landscape.
IT: The Foundation
Information Technology is the bedrock. Whether it’s managing systems, deploying infrastructure, or supporting end users, IT is the operational engine that keeps everything moving. It’s the part that often gets taken for granted when it’s running smoothly—but anyone in the field knows just how much behind-the-scenes effort goes into making things “just work.”
Cybersecurity: The Shield
Overlaying IT is cybersecurity—something that used to be an afterthought but is now absolutely critical. The risks have grown as we’ve become more reliant on digital systems. From phishing emails to zero-day exploits, the threats are always evolving. Cybersecurity brings a risk-focused mindset to IT operations. It’s no longer just about whether something works; it’s about whether it’s secure, compliant, and resilient.
Project Management: The Glue
Then there’s project management, which often gets overlooked in technical spaces. However, if cybersecurity brings the shield, project management brings the strategy. It ensures that work is delivered on time, within scope, and with clear team communication. Without solid project management, even the best ideas and intentions can create confusion or missed opportunities.
Where They Meet
In my experience, these three fields don’t operate in silos—they meet in almost every initiative I work on. A simple system upgrade? That’s IT, with cybersecurity considerations, running under the guidance of a project plan. A new GRC rollout? That’s cybersecurity first, with heavy IT involvement and project timelines that can make or break adoption.
I spend most of my time at this intersection, and I’ve learned the most. Balancing technical depth with security context and delivery discipline is challenging, but it also makes the work rewarding.
Why It Matters
As the tech landscape becomes more complex, the lines between these disciplines will continue to blur. The professionals who can move between them can troubleshoot a system issue, evaluate risk, and manage a project meeting and will be the ones who bring real value to their teams.
