Evolving security at Datadog: How we designed roles to support a growing organization

Success for security organizations, unlike other engineering teams that measure success through tangible outcomes, is defined by reducing risks and improving the company's security posture over time. As companies grow and adopt new technologies, such as AI and edge environments, their attack surfaces expand, requiring security to adapt accordingly. Datadog's approach involved integrating its SRE and security groups, emphasizing the creation of scalable, secure systems, maintaining connected specialized teams, and preparing for emerging technologies. Leadership at various levels plays a critical role in defining priorities, implementing security guardrails, and ensuring effective communication and alignment across teams. This includes embedding AI responsibly, setting clear ownership, and developing governance guidelines. Datadog measures success through metrics like detection signal accuracy, ensuring that systems remain resilient and responsive to new risks while supporting broader company goals.