Safe on all fronts – building a robust cybersecurity program

Everyone knows that reliable infrastructure and highly available services are critical for business success in the digital age. To support dispersed workloads and mobile users worldwide, this infrastructure must be dynamic in nature and expansive in scope. However, the important issue of securing this modern infrastructure is not straightforward. Expanded attack surfaces, advanced threat vectors and stringent regulations mean that risk is omnipresent. While next-generation security tools can help alleviate some of this complexity, the benefits are often offset by operational and staffing constraints, which leave these resources unmanaged.

The truth of the matter is that security doesn’t scale as well as other enterprise operations. While the executive suite might say it’s fully supportive of organisational security, it may not have the budget or know-how to implement a strategic plan. Internal security teams are perennially short-staffed, and in many cases security solutions are not effectively managed, which can create cracks in the armour. Adding more personnel won’t always allow a team to keep up with security demands – not even Superman could sift through hundreds of thousands of security alerts every day. Most enterprises are inadequately equipped to prevent advanced attacks, and there’s no telling what lies in wait.

Against this backdrop, enterprises need to adopt a holistic approach to improving their security posture – one that incorporates people, processes and technologies.

One option is to adopt an internally driven approach. It is theoretically possible to create and sustain a mission-critical security program, but it is not easy and is probably getting harder as IT infrastructure becomes more dynamic and expansive. There is also the problem of total cost of ownership. While on paper it might seem to cost more to enlist the help of outside security vendors, these fees must be weighed against the costs of a serious security incident. In a world where a single breach can bring down an enterprise, it probably isn’t cost-effective to adopt a DIY approach to security.

Many organisations are partnering with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) to improve their overall security posture. MSSPs can augment an internal security team by providing additional manpower, domain-specific expertise and security tools. MSSPs deliver greater visibility, control and ability to scale while off-loading mundane tasks, enabling security teams to focus on strategic business initiatives. Partnering with a modern MSSP can help bridge the gap between infrastructure demands and security requirements in a rapidly expanding enterprise.

To learn more about the role an MSSP can play in helping to build a robust cybersecurity program at scale, register for the webinar sponsored by Tata Communications on August 28: Overcome the Challenges of Building Your Own Cybersecurity Program.