In a virtualized environment, hardening virtual components (such as hypervisors, virtual machines, and management consoles) is most critical because vulnerabilities in these elements can compromise multiple virtual systems simultaneously. Proper hardening ensures the environment is secure against exploitation and privilege escalation.

The primary risk associated with the lack of a formal requirements validation process before software development starts is an increased likelihood of scope creep. Without a clear and validated set of requirements, the scope of the project can change unexpectedly during development, leading to delays, cost overruns, and the potential for the project to diverge from the original goals or business needs. This can significantly impact the project's success and outcomes.

Outsourcing system development most commonly results in the loss of in-house competencies because knowledge, technical skills, and experience are transferred to the external provider, reducing the organization's internal capability to independently develop, maintain, or enhance systems.

https://www.viima.com/blog/continuous-improvement-tools