Throughout the previous year, I’ve conversed with numerous professionals regarding their expectations surrounding network security. This inquiry typically elicits a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension. As we conclude another fruitful Cisco Live event, I am excited to reveal the profound insights derived from these exhaustive dialogues and how Cisco is actively meeting your security requirements.
While organizations navigate through application transformations and grapple with the intricacies of safeguarding increasingly intricate networks, they are also confronting a fresh wave of technological advancements.
Naturally, these advancements can be both beneficial and perilous. While they offer the potential for heightened security measures, they also embolden malicious actors, who can now exploit vulnerabilities with alarming speed and efficiency.
The prevalent message is two-fold: Organizations require assistance in fortifying their security measures and in streamlining their operational procedures. The integration of numerous security tools alone has become a source of complexity, diverting attention away from threats and stretching resources too thinly.
This notion was poignantly expressed in a recent discussion with a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who shared a sentiment widely observed in the industry. Confronted with the idea of incorporating yet another security solution, the CISO lamented, “I cannot expect my team to embrace the 212th tool in our arsenal!”
The CISO’s exasperation illustrates a crucial challenge for security leaders: they must maintain a balance between adopting essential security measures and acknowledging the practical limitations of their teams’ capabilities and the risk of an excessive array of tools.
In response to this complexity, organizations are yearning for a more simplified approach to security, one that emphasizes the consolidation of tools and the streamlining of security protocols without compromising the effectiveness of defensive mechanisms.
In the meantime, cybersecurity entities must deliver solutions that are not only robust and innovative but also manageable and user-friendly. This approach enables security teams to effectively combat future threats while preserving their operational efficiency today.
Merchants, specific products, and a shift towards the cloud
Many professionals encounter what is termed “the Ferrari problem” when acquiring a specialized security product. Similar to investing in an expensive sports car, you are procuring a costly, specialized product. While the product may excel at its specific task, security cannot operate in isolation—some degree of integration will inevitably be necessary.
Consequently, the acquisition of an expensive, specialized product opens the door to even costlier integrations (or, likened to the car scenario, pricy repairs).
This does not even factor in the disjointed security resulting from employing various vendor solutions or the overwhelming complexity of deploying a configuration or security policy across hundreds or thousands of remote offices.
Many security professionals avoid updating their tools for a reason. Given this intricate complexity, they fear that any alterations may disrupt the business or the client experience.
How Cisco is reshaping efficient, uncomplicated security for the cloud
It is common knowledge that Cisco erected the backbone of global switching and routing for our expansive customer base and partner network. Presently, we oversee 85% of the world’s internet traffic.
Now, we have taken a significant leap forward by introducing Cisco Security Cloud Control.
Cisco Security Cloud Control has been formulated to centralize management for the Cisco Security Cloud, commencing with a network security framework.
Security Cloud Control introduces an AI-native approach to proactively identify actionable insights and automate resolutions across hybrid environments. Its aim is to enable teams to maximize their Cisco Security investment—saving time and enjoying simpler, more streamlined protocols.
Constructing resilient security for intricate, ever-evolving cloud environments
Given the overwhelming array of tools and complexities to oversee, the only viable solution is a security system that seamlessly interconnects all components. We have responded to this demand by crafting a platform that seamlessly integrates Cisco Hypershield, multi-cloud defenses, cutting-edge firewalls, and microsegmentation technologies.
This platform is capable of aggregating information throughout the system and elucidating findings through reports. Moreover, via a natural language interface, it can expose risks to critical business assets such as PCI databases. Users can even seek insights and next steps directly from the system.
At its core, this platform pledges comprehensive visibility and complete detection across every aspect of the network, be it inbound/outbound at a cloud periphery, data center periphery, campus, or branch, down to every operation and connection within your applications and workloads.
The high level of visibility and management provided by Security Cloud Control helps leaders focus on delivering the outcomes their teams necessitate. From translating intent-based policies in one location and disseminating them across all network control points to condensing, diagnosing, and suggesting policies spanning various solutions, Cisco Security Cloud Control can assist with all these needs.
Furthermore, Security Cloud Control’s capacity to decipher the intricate language of cybersecurity presents an additional advantage: the ability to elucidate and articulate ongoing events and necessary actions to decision-makers. The simplicity and clarity of reports can keep organizational leadership well-informed and engaged in cybersecurity operations.
At the heart of this advancement lies AI technology, not merely a reactive assistant but a proactive agent that generates insights and segments across the network, revolutionizing engagement with the platform.
In summary, what we have constructed stands as a testament to the future of cybersecurity—an all-encompassing platform that not only anticipates and nullifies threats but also empowers organizations to develop a more sophisticated, responsive, and resilient strategy in safeguarding their digital assets.
It is more than just a formidable solution; it serves as a strategic enabler for any enterprise aspiring to secure its future in an unpredictable cyber realm, amidst network requisites that are destined to grow increasingly complex.
Security Cloud Control is expected to debut in September 2024 with support for Secure Firewall Threat Defense, Secure Firewall ASA, Multicloud Defense, and Cisco Hypershield.
We eagerly await your feedback. Feel free to Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with Cisco Security on social!
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