Never
in the history of business has technology evolved as rapidly as it is now. The
speed of conducting business in the digital era has spurred enterprises to
adopt hybrid cloud-based systems, micro-segmentation and virtual platforms as
crucial elements of enterprise-level digital transformations. But
transformations like these require significant resources – not just capital and
manpower but also dedicated security staff who can secure valuable IP and
customer data during and after the digital transformation. When these resources
aren’t available or are misused, digital transformations inevitably fail.
Sometimes, that failure takes the form of human-introduced errors that weaken an enterprise’s security posture and leave it vulnerable to data breaches. These errors can be traced back to an ongoing staffing shortage within the technology industry. Network security and IT positions have proven particularly difficult to staff, resulting in a lack of dedicated security resources and an overburdening of already overworked teams. According to a Gartner study, 99 percent of all security breaches through 2023 will be caused by firewall misconfigurations due to mistakes made using outdated manual techniques to manage change processes.
A
New Approach to Network Security Policy Management Automation
Modern
enterprises need modern solutions that never force them to choose between
innovation, speed and security. Automation can be that solution – if deployed
with major business and security goals in mind. Network security process
automation can save money by eliminating the error-prone manual processes that
lead to data breaches and by reducing the need for overworked staff to manage
late night change windows. Unburdening staff will also create additional
business benefits, like increased efficiency and compliance, by streamlining
operations and ensuring policies are consistently implemented.
Given
the length and complexity of digital transformations, cost-saving measures like
automation will be especially valuable for companies to redeploy security and IT
staff from managing repetitive process to more strategic initiatives. A
contextually aware network security policy management tool can supplement
existing staff by automating rapid rule implementation and enabling
auto-detection of infrastructure changes to recalibrate global policy changes.
Enterprises with dedicated security and IT staff will further benefit from a
contextually aware tool because it will provide greater real-time visibility
and control over their entire network environment.
Keeping
Digital Transformation in the Fast Lane
Automation
doesn’t require taking hands off the wheel, it can actually improve a company’s
grip over security operations. Too many automation tools take network security
professionals out of the driver’s seat by withholding granular control over
automated processes. For digital transformations to be successful, enterprises
need fully tailored, customizable and adaptive solutions that allow leaders to
make strategic business decisions about what to automate and when. A
contextually aware network security policy management tool can help realize the
full benefits of automation without sacrificing control during critical periods
of transition.
It’s
time to do away with the “set it and forget it” approach to automation and move
beyond zero-touch implementation by using adaptive network security policy
management tools. Such tools provide enterprises with a unique, flexible means
of navigating the complexities of full-scale digital transformations and advancing
their business operations. In this digital age, when a company’s fate can rest
on a single data breach, it’s more important than ever to have the right
resources in place to secure networks during times of growth and change.
Jeff Styles, FireMon, VP of Global Field Engineering
