It’s no secret that the cybersecurity platform dialog is high of thoughts for a lot of proper now. But a platform method to cybersecurity has existed for many years, and there’s lengthy been a debate throughout industries about selecting best-of-breed merchandise versus utilizing a unified platform.
Nonetheless, as organizations develop extra complicated and the risk panorama adjustments, utilizing an array of level merchandise to handle danger ends in expertise overlap and undesirable blind spots. This outdated method to security additionally exacerbates the continuing cybersecurity expertise scarcity, creating extra work for security and IT groups, most of that are already overworked and understaffed.
The truth is that these distinctive challenges will solely intensify as new threats emerge and companies proceed to evolve. That’s why enterprises should select a consolidated, platform-centric method to successfully shield their digital belongings. Simplifying security is crucial for organizations of all sizes throughout all industries, and the primary place to start out is for groups to streamline the merchandise they use and consolidate distributors the place attainable.
Is there nonetheless a task for level merchandise?
As organizations more and more embrace a platform method to cybersecurity, it raises the query of why we nonetheless have level merchandise and whether or not they’re useful to a danger administration technique.
The reply lies within the ever-changing nature of cybersecurity and infrastructure. As a result of the risk panorama is continually evolving, the business will at all times have to create recent defenses, which ends up in new level merchandise. As infrastructure regularly evolves to fulfill the shifting wants of each enterprise—equivalent to supporting a hybrid workforce or transferring further purposes to the cloud—new level merchandise will nonetheless be mandatory to handle novel dangers and alternatives. As sure level merchandise develop into steady or commoditized over time, they will and will simply develop into a part of a useful cybersecurity platform.
A cybersecurity platform requires true interoperability
Whereas it’s wise to mix a number of generally used elements right into a single platform to simplify operations and combine vital capabilities, there should be deep interoperability between these parts for the merchandise to operate as a real platform. At a minimal, every part should run on a standard working system. It’s not ample to easily bundle applied sciences which might be designed to function as standalone options. With out a widespread operational basis, true interoperability can’t be achieved.
There may be one other associated state of affairs that happens steadily that ought to elevate issues amongst organizations trying to make the shift to a cybersecurity platform. Within the rush to push a platform to market, many corporations will purchase level merchandise from different, smaller distributors. As an alternative of taking the time to totally combine the capabilities and operations of the acquired merchandise right into a unified answer, they bolt these acquisitions onto different choices, name it a “platform,” after which take it to market. At greatest, that is false promoting. At worst, unsuspecting security and IT groups find yourself investing numerous sources in a “platform” that doesn’t ship what it claims, which leaves their enterprise open to pointless danger and certain doesn’t create any efficiencies for his or her every day operations.
Embark in your platform journey
Each firm want to cut back operational prices whereas enhancing its security posture. A cybersecurity platform method can obtain this by actually integrating level merchandise, decreasing overhead, and enabling native automation throughout a number of applied sciences. Some corporations will select to completely deploy useful platforms, whereas others might elect to make use of platform suites or dual-source sure choices.
The platform journey will look completely different for each group based mostly on distinctive wants, however the purpose stays the identical: to maneuver away from completely utilizing level merchandise.
Crucial elements of a powerful cybersecurity platform
When evaluating cybersecurity platform choices, do not forget that not all platforms are the identical. Many vendor options which might be labeled as platforms are composed of distinct merchandise that run on completely different working programs, have diverse information buildings, and use disparate administration consoles.
It’s important to look underneath the hood of the cybersecurity platforms you’re contemplating. A real cybersecurity platform ought to be backed by a single working system, have a unified agent, use a single administration console, depend on one information lake, use open APIs, and combine simply with third-party merchandise.
And don’t simply take the seller’s phrase for it in relation to their capabilities and the completeness of their platform providing. Through the analysis course of, ask to talk with present clients and search steerage from business analysts.
Select the appropriate cybersecurity platform to your group
Whether or not you’re already utilizing a cybersecurity platform or are simply starting your journey into the platform period, select your distributors properly. Are the working system and useful elements of the platform you’re contemplating actually built-in, or will you be shifting the complexity of your current level product assortment to a unique type issue? The trail you choose will considerably affect your group’s total security and every day operations, each in the present day and sooner or later.
