Dependencies are the technical or business links that make one system rely on another to work correctly. In software, this can mean libraries, APIs, identity services, databases, workflows, or custom integrations. In business processes, it can mean approval chains, ownership rules, or reporting feeds that must stay aligned for operations to function.
Dependencies matter in cyber security because attackers often target the weakest link in a chain rather than the main application itself. A compromised plugin, trusted integration, or connected account can expose data, bypass controls, or spread access across systems. Defenders also need to understand dependencies to patch safely, segment networks, set least-privilege access, and test changes without breaking critical services. During migrations, mapping dependencies helps teams find hidden custom logic and reduce the risk of outages or security gaps when moving to a new platform.