Abstract

Organizations continually navigate the need to balance innovation with cybersecurity (World Economic Forum, 2026). Although prior information systems (IS) research acknowledges tension between digital innovation and cybersecurity (Heierhoff & Hoffmann, 2022; Nelson & Madnick, 2017), limited understanding remains regarding how these demands are managed within highly regulated environments where early-stage research and rapid prototyping are critical to organizational success. In defense contexts, as an example of such environments, this can be viewed as rapid innovation: the swift development, integration, and deployment of new systems and technology at scale to maximize warfighter capabilities (DIB, 2024). This TREO talk argues that these demands represent competing yet interdependent organizational priorities. Drawing on polarity-based thinking and related paradox literature, this research conceptualizes rapid innovation and cybersecurity as persistent organizational demands requiring ongoing management rather than discrete tradeoff decisions (Johnson, 2014; Smith & Lewis, 2011). Using an exploratory qualitative design, the study employs semi-structured interviews with engineering, cybersecurity, and program stakeholders within a highly regulated research organization to examine how these tensions shape decision-making, governance, and innovation practices. The research will produce a thematic analysis identifying recurring challenges, organizational behaviors, and practical strategies for sustaining both speed and assurance, with findings synthesized into a polarity map visualizing key tensions, tradeoffs, and management strategies. This work extends innovation and cybersecurity research and offers practical guidance for leaders seeking to sustain secure and timely innovation.

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