6.6 Dependency Group Assumptions

What it is

Organizations experiencing dependency group assumptions unconsciously seek omnipotent security solutions and transfer responsibility to external protective figures. This creates dangerous single points of failure where attackers can exploit the organization's blind trust in their chosen protective figures. When security responsibility is psychologically transferred to external entities, internal vigilance and critical thinking deteriorate, making organizations vulnerable to vendor impersonation attacks, fraudulent security solutions, and supply chain compromises.

Why it happens

Bion's Group Dynamics Theory (1961) identifies dependency (baD) as one of three unconscious basic assumptions groups adopt when work group functioning is threatened by anxiety. Groups regress to infantile psychological states where they collectively abandon adult responsibility, instead seeking an idealized parent figure who will handle all threats. This creates profound vulnerability because the group's security posture becomes entirely dependent on the perceived strength of the protective figure while losing capacity for independent threat assessment.

How it is assessed

A quick assessment asks these questions; each answer is scored from resilient to exposed.

Vendor Concentration Risk
What percentage of your annual cybersecurity budget goes to your top security vendor? Include all services, licenses, and support contracts from that single vendor.
Security Decision Authority Distribution
When your primary security tool alerts or fails, who makes the decision about how to respond? How often do security decisions require approval from senior leadership before action can be taken?
Vendor Performance Review Frequency
How frequently does your organization formally review and challenge the effectiveness of your main security vendors? Tell us about your most recent vendor performance audit and what changes resulted from it.
Internal vs External Incident Response
When a security incident occurs, what's your first response: engage internal team problem-solving or immediately contact external vendors/consultants? Give us a specific example from a recent incident.
Security Solution Evaluation Process
Describe your process for evaluating new security tools before purchase. How many solutions do you typically compare, and what evidence do you require beyond vendor demonstrations?
Key Personnel Dependency
If your CISO or primary security contact was unavailable for two weeks, how would security decisions be made? Who has the knowledge and authority to maintain security operations?
Backup Security Solutions
For your most critical security tool, what backup or alternative solution would you use if it failed completely? Tell us about the last time you tested these backup procedures.

Reading the result

Resilient

Distributed security approach with budget spread across multiple vendors, multiple staff authorized to make routine security decisions, quarterly vendor performance reviews, internal problem-solving capacity, tested backup solutions for critical security tools.

Partly exposed

Moderate dependency indicators including single vendor receiving 30-50% of security budget, most security decisions require senior approval but multiple people can approve, annual vendor reviews conducted but limited changes result.

Exposed

High dependency vulnerability with single vendor receiving >50% of security budget, only 1-2 people authorized to make security decisions, vendor reviews infrequent or superficial, immediate external consultation is standard response to any security issue.

What to change

Vendor Portfolio Diversification

Implement policy requiring no single vendor to exceed 40% of security budget

Create formal vendor diversification plan with timeline for redistribution of services across multiple providers. Establish competitive bidding requirements for contracts over specified thresholds. Document vendor concentration risk assessments quarterly.

Effort: medium | Time to put in place: 60-90 days

Distributed Decision Authority Matrix

Document authorization levels for different security decisions ensuring multiple personnel can approve routine responses

Create clear escalation procedures that don't create single points of failure. Implement deputy/backup authorization for all critical security roles. Develop decision trees for when external help is appropriate.

Effort: medium | Time to put in place: 45-60 days

Quarterly Vendor Performance Reviews

Establish standardized vendor assessment criteria including security effectiveness metrics and cost-benefit analysis

Require vendors to demonstrate measurable improvements in security posture. Document specific actions taken based on review findings. Create vendor scorecard system with improvement tracking.

Effort: low | Time to put in place: 30-45 days

Internal Security Response Protocols

Develop 'internal first' incident response procedures requiring 30-minute internal assessment before external consultation

Train staff in basic incident response to reduce external dependence. Create decision trees for when external help is appropriate. Document internal resolution capabilities and limits.

Effort: medium | Time to put in place: 45-60 days

Security Solution Evaluation Framework

Implement standardized evaluation requiring comparison of minimum 3 vendors with proof-of-concept testing

Create evaluation criteria focused on objective security improvements rather than vendor promises. Require documented justification for single-vendor selections. Include reference checks and POC testing in all evaluations.

Effort: low | Time to put in place: 30 days

Backup Security Operations Plan

Document alternative procedures for each critical security function if primary tools fail

Test backup solutions quarterly with documented results. Maintain current contact lists for alternative vendors. Ensure staff know backup procedures through regular drills.

Dependency Group Assumptions