WEI Tech Exchange

As a business owner, you’ve finally stepped into the digital world by setting up an online store or deploying a remote workforce model. Here’s the deal: going digital means you are prioritizing end-user flexibility, but how far up is cybersecurity on your list? Just like locking up your brick-and-mortar store or office at night, safeguarding all digital assets and user information stored in the cloud is critically important.

In today’s digital-first world, data breaches and complex cyber threats are present everywhere, making headlines on a regular basis. Organizations are now faced with a challenge: improve their data protection strategies while embracing the agility of hybrid cloud environments. In this article, we delve into the current threat landscape, explore how security is adapting to the cloud era, and identify a vision for a more secure future.

Understanding Cybersecurity Challenges

Cyberattacks are no longer isolated incidents. They’ve become increasingly sophisticated and often motivated by financial gain. Because they occur frequently, organizations now grapple with these three significant challenges:

1. The Expanding Attack Surface: Cyber threats manifest in various forms, ranging from phishing emails to supply chain hacks, and it’s an ongoing battle to keep information safe. Picture this: at one of the largest tech companies’ security operations center, they prevent, detect, respond, and analyze an astounding 2.6 billion security events every day. If this level of threat activity affects an established company , just imagine the challenges faced by others, including government organizations and local municipalities.
2. Hybrid Cloud Challenges: Security must adapt as companies embrace hybrid cloud architectures. While the cloud offers flexibility and scalability, it also introduces risks. It is the responsibility of every individual within the company — not just the IT teams — to proactively implement measures for mitigating potential cyberattacks. Employee trainings on cyber awareness and implementing automated solutions within the SOC are just some of the many strategies enterprises are utilizing to better fortify their landscape inside and out.  
3. Closing The Experience Gap: There is a pressing demand for skilled professionals. Unfortunately, the scarcity of experienced staff poses a challenge for organizations in effectively countering cyber threats. Consequently, businesses must explore strategies to leverage their existing talent pool such as through academic partnerships and technical apprenticeships.

As organizations adopt cloud technologies, having scalable and adaptable defenses that can adapt is of utmost importance. In our exploration of the convergence between security and the edge-to-cloud continuum, let’s delve into how longtime WEI partner Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) defines the future of cybersecurity through their unique strategies.

Security As An Inherent Part Of Operations

For years, cybersecurity was often perceived as a necessary but unsexy piece to what IT offered an enterprise. Now, you would be hard-pressed to find a large enterprise where IT is not at the heart of business operations, efficiency, and reliability. More stakeholders are beginning to understand that cybersecurity must be part of a business strategy, because without a fortified security strategy and mindset, there is no business to have a strategy for. HPE has long understood this perspective. Let’s explore how they are turning this vision into reality to tackle contemporary cyber challenges:

1. Developing A Shared Responsibility Model. Historically, security operated in silos: network security, application security, and data security were separate domains. However, as companies transition from edge to cloud, the traditional siloed approach is no longer sufficient. Enterprises must shift toward a shared responsibility model, where everyone – IT teams, developers, and end-users – plays a role in safeguarding data. A shared responsibility model becomes a more holistic paradigm, and HPE advocates for collaboration and transparency to build a robust security posture. Their commitment lies in ensuring a secure edge-to-cloud experience for all stakeholders.
2. Addressing The Talent Conundrum. While hiring established cybersecurity talent remains a challenge due to high demand, relying solely on external hires isn’t the solution. Instead, companies should invest in their own talent pool. The HPE Cybersecurity Career Reboot program exemplifies this approach through continuous learning, offering upskilling opportunities, and nurturing internal talent.
   1. Upskilling And Reskilling: Encourage existing employees to acquire cybersecurity certifications through training programs and workshops.
   2. Cross-Functional Training: Foster collaboration and mutual understanding between developers and security professionals about security principles.
   3. Internship Programs: Nurturing young talent through university partnerships.
   4. Hackathons And Capture the Flag (CTF) Challenges: These hands-on events not only get the competitive juices flowing, but also help hone practical skills and promote a security-conscious culture.

Navigating modern challenges requires thinking outside the box. Organizations must carefully consider non-traditional approaches, acknowledge diverse skill sets, and develop untapped potential.

Building Security Resilience

Aside from integrating security approaches within business operations, the future demands a proactive stance.

As enterprises embark on edge-to-cloud transformations, the data security controls in HPE’s GreenLake Cloud Platform stand out. Powered with HPE’s Zero Trust approach, user identity, device health, and access requests undergo various levels of verification regardless of their origin. The platform also boasts over 2,200 security controls to maintain data integrity and streamline operations in real-time. This risk-based, compliance-driven strategy ensures that security becomes a fundamental part of any business’s journey.

Final Thoughts

The edge-to-cloud journey demands a security-first mindset, and HPE’s strategies and solutions pave the way in making security principles intrinsic to organizations.

If your business is ready to take that step, it is important to look for a security partner who prioritizes and empowers diverse organizations, adheres to cybersecurity best practices, and has earned recognition for their work. Following in HPE’s footsteps, WEI champions a future-ready digital landscape through university partnerships, technical apprenticeships, staff augmentation assistance, and a comprehensive suite of security offerings. Contact us, and our team of professionals are ready to support you in navigating modern security challenges.