Being on the leading edge of IT can give a company a certain distinction and glamour, but is it really a sound business strategy? When it comes to information security technology, sometimes, it may be better to be a "fast follower," writes Derek Slater at CSO magazine.

Defining a leading-edge security strategy as one that applies approaches and tools that are relatively untested, Slater notes that this strategy has the potential to deliver a competitive edge in your market. It can improve the capacity to collaborate with vendors on molding products and services to your needs, and it can make your work more creative and interesting.

On the flip side is the reality that a leading-edge strategy is risky and sometimes results in wasted time and money. "You and your ideas are an easy target for criticism, and that criticism won't always be unwarranted," he writes. "So leading-edgers tend to get either the glory or the pink slip."

While it isn't as thrilling, taking a "fast follower" approach is perfectly legitimate and results in less failure, writes Slater, who establishes the editorial strategies for CSO. The way to figure out which approach is best for you, you have to consider your level of confidence in your own ideas and whether your appetite for risk aligns with your company's.

For more:
- see Derek Slater's post at CSO

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