Cybersecurity Technology sprawl: Cleaning up a techy mess

Cybersecurity Technology sprawl: Cleaning up a techy mess

Investing in malware prevention may sound like a smart investment, and indeed it is. A study states that global cybercrime damages are expected to double from $3 trillion in 2015 to $6 trillion in 2021. As a booming underground industry, cybercrime causes great concern among government entities and businesses of all sizes.

As a business owner, you may choose to beef up your cybersecurity portfolio by hiring the best managed IT services and security professionals until you end up with redundant point solutions. However, instead of having a comprehensive yet lean security capability, you’ll end up with technology sprawl.

When certain parts of your IT infrastructure do not work together seamlessly, cracks may begin to show, allowing cybercriminals to penetrate your systems. Unlike other assets, costly cybersecurity measures do not always mean mitigated risks.

So, how do you clean up this mess? Here are three important steps to help get you started.

1. Cybersecurity toolset: Waste not, want not

Take inventory of your cybersecurity tools. IT environments can be messy since updates and acquisitions over the years result in technologies entangling with one another. The tempting need to continually purchase the latest cybersecurity technology and malware prevention is oftentimes a waste of resources.

Redundant products are time-consuming and can be a handful, as integrated solutions multiply with third-party vendors. Some companies will remedy this by establishing their own in-house solutions, but accumulated technology assets could prove to be more difficult to upgrade or replace in the long run.

To prevent this, remove unnecessary products to reduce security vendors that require your attention and allow more room for solutions that have true business value.

2. Make the most of what you have

Some studies estimate that shelfware, or purchased products that were never used, comprises 30 percent of all security programs that were never utilized. That is why auditing your shelfware is essential, as it allows you to determine more sensible ways to strategize your cybersecurity technology purchases.

An audit of your cybersecurity portfolio lets you gauge if there is a genuine need to purchase new products or upgrade existing systems. Carefully weighing the need for promising tools, services, and systems help you achieve a security infrastructure that is more comprehensive and fully integrated. At the same time, you are able to keep the number of your integrated solutions at a minimum and maximize what you already have.

3. Utilize the cloud

No matter what size of business you have, it would be wise to use cloud services and have your own cloud systems or cloud hub. Cloud systems serve as a virtual window that allows a single sign-on and standardises a point of entry for all authorized users. This gives you and your IT manager a close watch on who is in your cybersecurity environment, thereby adding another layer of security.

Aside from being able to monitor who enters your systems, cloud hubs enable IT managers to implement security protocols across your deck of services with ease due to unified cloud solutions. Should there come a time that your cloud services sprawl, they would be much easier to manage.

4. Some things money can’t buy

As with many things in life, cybersecurity is not always about buying the latest security tools. What would be more helpful is to find the right people to help you build the right infrastructure, the right processes, and the right strategies. That way, you would also get the proper policies, protocols, time, and money to focus on other more important areas of your business.

With a clean, balanced, and optimal cybersecurity portfolio, you’ll be better equipped to protect your IT systems against cybercrimes. Contact Zentech IT Solutions to know your cybersecurity options today.

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