Project: Strengthening Network Security with Firewall Rule Upgrades
Project Impact:
The project aimed to enhance the security posture of a globally leading multinational company by implementing an upgraded firewall rule set across over 3,000 devices and impacting 1,250+ users, including VDI and physical machines. Given the high-risk nature of this project, any disruptions could potentially affect critical business operations, making effective execution essential for success.
Main Challenges: Throughout the project, I encountered several challenges that tested my leadership and problem-solving skills:
Team Timelines and Performance: Consistently missed deadlines from engineers were an initial barrier. I approached this issue by maintaining positive engagement, encouraging them for their work, and adjusting our approach by publicly requesting their commitments via group chats. This created some tension but ultimately improved accountability.
Resistance from Business Technology Teams: The Business Technology teams displayed reluctance to approve changes, exhibiting resistance and even unprofessional behavior at times. To navigate this, I prioritized clear communication, documented the benefits of our changes, and held regular meetings to align goals. Over time, we built trust, leading to eventual buy-in.
Securing Operations Team Approval: The Operations team initially posed another challenge due to their own established processes conflicting with the new rules. I engaged their leadership, conducted workshops, and provided educational materials that helped them understand how the changes would benefit their workflows. This collaboration ensured that their support was secured.
Outcome and Lessons Learned:
Despite the project’s high risk, with over 3,000 devices affected and potential for significant disruption, we launched the first release, which did experience two substantial disruptions. However, we took crucial lessons from these early setbacks, improving our approach and achieving a successful final release. The results strengthened Citi’s security controls without causing any significant downtime, validating our strategies and demonstrating the resilience of our project management approach.
Key Takeaways:
The importance of proactive stakeholder management and transparent communication.
Using challenges as opportunities for continuous improvement.
Emphasizing teamwork and positive reinforcement during high-pressure project phases.
