In the high-stakes world of business, where decisions can make or break empires, I’ve often found myself drawing parallels between corporate strategy and military operations. As someone deeply immersed in AI, AI security, and aligning technology with business objectives, I've seen firsthand how overlooking key elements – like cybersecurity – can lead to catastrophic failures.
In this article, I look at how business decisions, particularly risk-based ones, mirror the military decision-making process (MDMP), and why cybersecurity should be an integral player in the orchestra, not a solo act tucked away in the shadows.
Understanding the Military Decision-Making Process (MDMP)
The MDMP is the U.S. Army’s structured approach to planning and executing missions. It’s a seven-step process that begins with receiving the mission and ends with issuing orders, incorporating analysis, course of action development, wargaming, and rehearsals.
At its core, MDMP ensures that every decision is informed, collaborative, and holistic, factoring in intelligence, logistics, terrain, enemy capabilities, and friendly forces.
This isn’t about charging blindly into battle; it’s about synchronized effort. Imagine a general issuing the order: “Take the hill.” Sounds simple, right? But success hinges on a symphony of branches working in harmony:
- Infantry provides boots on the ground, advancing under fire
- Tanks and other armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) deliver heavy firepower and protection
- The Air Force offers aerial support, reconnaissance, and strikes
- Logistics and supplies ensure uninterrupted flow of ammunition, fuel, and medical aid
- Communications keep everyone connected, relaying real-time intel
- Intelligence anticipates enemy moves and identifies vulnerabilities
Each branch knows its role, understands how it interlinks with others, and appreciates that failure in one area – like running out of supplies – could doom the entire operation.
Would an army deploy without coordinating these elements? Absolutely not. They wouldn’t march into combat without fuel for tanks or radios for coordination. The mission’s success depends on this integrated approach, where risks are assessed collectively, and decisions are made with the full picture in mind.
Parallels to Business Decision-Making
Now, transpose this to the boardroom. Business leaders face their own “hills” to conquer, such as launching a new AI-driven product, expanding into emerging markets, or pivoting during a digital transformation.
Risk-based decisions here aren’t made in isolation; they require a similar MDMP-like rigor: analyzing market intelligence, developing strategies, simulating outcomes (think SWOT analysis or scenario planning), and executing with alignment across departments.
Yet, too often, businesses treat cybersecurity as an afterthought, siloed under the CIO or IT department. Why undertake a major initiative – like deploying an AI system for customer personalization – without factoring in security from the outset?
It’s akin to sending troops into battle without ammunition. In my experience, advising on AI security, I’ve witnessed companies rush AI implementations, only to face data breaches or adversarial attacks that erode trust and bottom lines.
Cybersecurity isn’t the sole decision-driver; it must contribute alongside finance, operations, marketing, and legal. But ignoring it is reckless. Just as a general wouldn’t exclude logistics from planning, business leaders shouldn’t sideline security.
Consider these interdependencies:
AI & innovation (infantry equivalent):- Drives the frontline advance, but vulnerable without safeguards against model poisoning or data leaks
- Operations & supply chain (logistics equivalent): Ensures smooth execution, yet cyber threats like ransomware can halt production lines
- Finance & risk management (intelligence equivalent): Quantifies costs and probabilities, incorporating cyber risks into ROI calculations
- Legal & compliance (communications equivalent): Maintains regulatory alignment, where breaches could lead to lawsuits or fines
Success in business, like in warfare, relies on each “branch” understanding its role and how it supports the others. A holistic approach aligns cybersecurity with business objectives, turning potential vulnerabilities into strategic advantages. For instance, robust AI security not only mitigates risks but enhances customer confidence, enabling bolder innovations.
Why Integrate Cybersecurity Holistically?
In the military, no general asks, “Do we really need supplies for this hill?” The answer is obvious: victory demands comprehensive resourcing. The same holds for business.
Tucking security under the CIO might seem efficient, but it creates blind spots. Major projects – whether cloud migrations or AI deployments – must involve cybersecurity experts early in the MDMP equivalent: the strategic planning phase.
From my vantage in AI strategy, I’ve seen how adversarial AI attacks (e.g., prompt injections or deepfakes) can undermine decisions if not anticipated. Risk-based decision-making means weighing cyber threats against opportunities, not letting fear paralyze progress. Cybersecurity contributes by identifying risks, but the full decision matrix includes revenue potential, competitive edge, and ethical alignment.
Would you launch a product without marketing? Scale operations without finance? Then why proceed without security? Integration fosters resilience, much like how military branches rehearse together to build trust and efficiency.
Key Takeaways for Leaders
- Adopt an MDMP mindset – Structure decisions collaboratively, simulating risks and outcomes.
- Elevate cybersecurity’s role – Make it a core contributor, not a checkbox.
- Foster interdepartmental synergy – Ensure teams understand interdependencies, just as military branches do.
- Apply to AI and beyond – In an era of AI proliferation, secure systems aren’t optional; they’re the ammunition for sustainable success.
Let’s learn from the battlefield: Integrated planning wins wars – and markets.
Article by: Dennis E. Leber, PhD, Cybersecurity Solutions Architect
