Marketers control the MarTech stack, but security risks are growing
Marketing teams now make 60% of MarTech purchasing decisions. That’s a big shift. It means marketers have more freedom to pick the tools they want, move fast, and build experiences that drive engagement. The problem? This level of control comes with serious security risks. Many marketing teams don’t fully account for them.
Adoption of new technology is accelerating, 69% of marketers already use AI. But in the rush to innovate, security often gets overlooked. More than half of software buyers, 54%, skip IT’s vetting process, and just 1% put security compliance at the top of their criteria. That’s a major gap. When security is neglected, it creates vulnerabilities that can be exploited.
C-suite leaders need to recognize the balance here. Innovation is vital, but the cost of a breach is far greater than the time it takes to integrate security into purchasing decisions. Marketing and IT must work together to ensure agility doesn’t come at the expense of protection. Moving fast is great—until security failures force you to halt progress.
Marketing and IT see security differently, and that’s a problem
Marketing and IT don’t see eye to eye when it comes to website security. Marketing leaders are confident, 60% believe their websites are secure. IT professionals, however, disagree. Only 40% share that confidence. That’s a major disconnect.
The issue comes down to awareness of risk. IT teams see vulnerabilities that marketers often miss. Open-source CMS platforms and third-party plugins create security gaps, yet many don’t address them. The numbers back this up—57% of companies report CMS security flaws, and for those using open-source solutions, that rises to 79%.
Customers expect their data to be protected. If vulnerabilities go unchecked, trust erodes. That’s bad for business. C-suite leaders need to close this perception gap between marketing and IT. Websites can’t be both “secure” and full of risks. Marketing must take security seriously, not assume it’s covered.
Strong security enables personalization and builds customer trust
Personalization is one of the most powerful tools in marketing. Companies that do it well see results, McKinsey research shows that organizations excelling in personalization achieve 40% higher revenue growth than their competitors. But personalization only works if customers trust a company with their data. Without strong security, that trust disappears.
Regulations like GDPR and the UK’s proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill make data protection a legal requirement, but security means maintaining credibility in a world where customers expect transparency and accountability. If they don’t feel their data is safe, they won’t share it. That limits personalization and weakens marketing effectiveness.
C-suite leaders need to treat security as a foundation for growth. A strong security posture protects customer data, ensures compliance, and enables the advanced personalization strategies that drive engagement and revenue. Security isn’t a barrier—it’s the key to maintaining customer relationships and sustaining long-term marketing success.
Choosing between PaaS and SaaS
Selecting the right technology model is critical for both marketing performance and security. Marketers favor Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) because it’s easy to deploy and scales quickly. But ease of use comes with trade-offs. SaaS platforms operate in multi-tenant environments, meaning multiple companies share the same infrastructure. That raises concerns about security, compliance, and control, especially in industries subject to strict regulations.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) offers an alternative. Unlike SaaS, PaaS provides a single-tenant environment, allowing businesses to maintain full control over their infrastructure, security policies, and compliance requirements. This approach is particularly valuable for companies handling sensitive customer data or operating in highly regulated markets.
C-suite leaders need to assess their organization’s security and compliance needs before deciding between SaaS and PaaS. SaaS delivers speed, but may lack the security controls required for long-term risk management. PaaS offers greater oversight, but requires more investment in infrastructure. The right choice depends on how much control a business is willing to sacrifice for convenience.
Secure CMS solutions bridge the gap between marketing and IT
Choosing the right Content Management System (CMS) is a major factor in website security. Many traditional CMS platforms come with vulnerabilities—especially open-source solutions that rely on third-party plugins. Security flaws in these systems expose businesses to data breaches and unauthorized access, which can compromise both customer trust and regulatory compliance.
Modern CMS solutions address these risks by integrating security features directly into their infrastructure. Cloud-native environments offer automated security monitoring, while compliance with industry standards like ISO 27001 ensures consistent data protection. Low-code and no-code interfaces allow marketing teams to build and manage digital content without increasing security risks. Features such as decoupled environments further reduce attack surfaces, and robust access controls ensure that only authorized changes are made.
For C-suite leaders, secure CMS platforms are more than just an operational upgrade. They provide a scalable foundation that aligns IT’s security priorities with marketing’s need for flexibility. Investing in modern CMS solutions reduces administrative overhead, increases efficiency, and ensures compliance—all while enabling marketers to launch personalized digital experiences without creating security blind spots.
Security-first thinking gives marketers control and drives innovation
Marketing depends on technology, and technology depends on security. As regulatory scrutiny increases and cyber threats evolve, embedding security into every part of the MarTech stack is no longer optional. Data breaches erode customer trust, damage brand reputation, and result in costly legal consequences.
A security-first approach ensures that marketing teams can continue to innovate without exposing the business to unnecessary risks. By integrating security into decision-making, marketers protect both customer data and their ability to deliver personalized, high-impact digital experiences. This also strengthens collaboration between marketing and IT, ensuring security measures support business objectives instead of slowing them down.
“Companies that prioritize security can move faster, maintain customer confidence, and scale their digital operations without disruption.”
Key highlights
- Marketers control MarTech but are missing critical security risks: With marketers driving 60% of MarTech purchases, security is often overlooked. Leaders must integrate IT oversight to balance innovation with risk management and prevent security breaches.
- Marketing and IT have conflicting views on website security: While 60% of marketers think their sites are secure, only 40% of IT professionals agree. Executives should bridge this gap by ensuring collaboration between both teams to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
- Strong security is the foundation for personalization and trust: Personalization can drive 40% higher revenue growth, but weak security erodes customer trust. Leaders should treat security as a business enabler, ensuring compliance to sustain competitive advantage.
- Choosing between PaaS and SaaS impacts security and compliance: SaaS is agile but may lack strong security controls, while PaaS offers greater oversight for regulated industries. Decision-makers should evaluate their organization’s risk tolerance when selecting a model.
- A secure CMS aligns IT’s security needs with marketing’s flexibility: Modern CMS solutions provide automated monitoring, regulatory compliance, and low-risk content management. Leaders should invest in secure CMS platforms to streamline marketing while reducing security blind spots.
- Security-first thinking gives marketers control while driving growth: Without strong security, customer trust, operational stability, and competitive edge weaken. Executives must embed security into marketing strategies to scale digital initiatives safely and sustain long-term success.
