Adding Too Many Security Tools is a Big Mistake

It seems like there’s a new cyberattack making headlines every day – and a new “must-have” security solution to counteract that threat. With such a flood of tools, it can be easy to waste money and time on supposed solutions that don’t actually solve any of the potential security problems that threaten your business. Plus, a wealth of solutions can also be a wealth of opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit. Instead, concentrating on purchasing the right solutions is the smart decision to increase your company’s security without increasing your IT staff’s stress or your budget.

With the constant shifts in security technology and a volatile threat landscape, companies have to constantly ask themselves whether or not they have the security solutions that they need to maintain a high cyber resilience in order to really keep their business safe from cybercrime. That can lead to throwing money at the problem by buying additional security tools to prevent disasters like a data breach. But while it may seem like a good idea, adding more security tools does not add additional protection against cyberattack threats. Experts estimate that many enterprises maintain 19 different security tools, with only 22% of such tools serving as vital to primary security objectives. Almost half of the security tools that are available to IT teams are just clutter. Only about 47% of existing IT security tools are actually used daily.

The fact that companies are buying solutions that they don’t need while still facing increasing threats from devastating cyberattacks like ransomware is a source of frustration for IT decision-makers. Constantly researching, training, and facilitating integration on the next big thing also sucks up the time that security professionals need for doing their actual job.  More than 70% of security decision-makers believe the increasing amount of time they spend managing tools inhibits their ability to effectively defend against threats. IT decision-makers also understand that buying too many new tools is a waste of money. In this study of more than 1,000 security professionals,  85% of them were concerned that their companies are adding technologies faster than they can productively use them, with 71% admitting most existing tools are underutilized.

How Can You Be Sure That You Really Need a New Security Solution

New technology is always popping up with appealing features and innovations that may make you think that it’s something your company needs right away. Checking to see if it meets these criteria can help you save time, money, and headaches.

Is it a compliance requirement now or in the immediate future? 

Compliance standards are constantly in flux, so you may truly need a new solution to keep up. It also pays to have a look at what may be in the pipeline for compliance rules in your industry to make sure that you’re ready.

Does it actually add security?

Take the time to study not just what the solution does and how it performs, but how those features will benefit your organization specifically. A solution may be wonderful, but it still might not be right for you if it doesn’t protect your organization from the real threats it faces daily.

Will it suck up too many resources?

Compatibility and ease of integration have to be high on your shopping list. If spending a lot of money on a new solution also means spending a lot of money on payroll hours to deploy it, integrate it, fix flaws, apply patches and train your techs to use it without a major improvement in security, it’s probably not a good idea.

Is it more trouble than it’s worth? 

If you’re even asking this question, you probably already know the answer. If it truly seems to be a mystery, really look at the concrete positives and negatives of using this new tool for your security, your business, and your staff. Make an old-fashioned list of positives and negatives for each category and follow the conclusion that the results show you no matter how tempting it is to buy a new tool.

What does my staff think about it? 

Executives and business owners can have very different perspectives from the people who are in the trenches every day. Consult your team about a new solution and get their take on it. They may notice functions or aspects of it that you won’t – and they’ll be more likely to make use of a tool that they’re actually excited about.

Choosing the right security solution for your business can take time, and it’s certainly not something you want to rush into. Take your time and do your research to find the best option for your needs. If you’re not sure where to start, or if you need help navigating the sometimes confusing world of security tools, give us a call. We will be happy to help you find the solution you need.

Source: Id Agent