A business process is a structured sequence of work steps that produces an outcome or decision. Examples include approving invoices, handling customer support, or reviewing access requests. In security terms, the process is just as important as the software, because attackers often target the workflow itself: they trick people into skipping checks, insert malicious approvals, or exploit weak handoffs between teams.
Business processes matter in cybersecurity because they define where data moves, who has authority, and what controls should apply. If an AI tool or other system is added without oversight, it can quietly change a process by producing content, making recommendations, or triggering actions. Defenders respond by mapping critical workflows, assigning accountability, and checking that sensitive steps still require human review, logging, and policy enforcement. Good process control helps reveal shadow IT, reduce fraud, and limit the damage when a workflow is abused.