New research reveals that nearly half of security professionals (48%) say they favour standalone security solutions for specific issues. The new research by Keeper Security also revealed that cybersecurity professionals, on average, have been left grappling with 32 different security solutions in their tech stacks, with some managing hundreds of different security tools. Moreover, one in 10 cybersecurity professionals admit the sheer number of individual tools in their stack makes them feel ‘not in control’ — indicating a clear need for platform consolidation.
Independent researchers on behalf of Keeper Security surveyed 218 cybersecurity professionals, including CISOs/CIOs, Senior Cybersecurity Managers and IT decision-makers, at Infosecurity Europe, held in London, between 4th and 6th June 2024.
The key factors for security professionals that influence the purchase of cybersecurity solutions include:
- Cost
- Ease of implementation
- Vendor reputation
- Effectiveness against specific threats
- Integration capabilities
While consolidating security platforms could save money, a surprising number of security professionals (over two-thirds) prioritise upfront cost. Integration capabilities, crucial for a holistic security posture, rank much lower (one fifth) in their buying decisions. This focus on short-term savings is concerning. Nearly half (48%) prefer isolated security solutions, with only 23% prioritising integration. This preference for standalone solutions might hinder long-term security effectiveness and potentially cost more in the long run.
Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder of Keeper Security said: “It is clear that cybersecurity threats are only becoming more sophisticated, forcing security teams to confront novel attack vectors. The challenge lies in the escalated costs and complexity of managing disparate solutions for each specific threat. Instead of perpetuating a reactive ‘whack-a-mole’ approach, security professionals must adopt a comprehensive strategy that integrates existing tools into a cohesive framework. This will enhance the efficacy of threat mitigation and empower enterprise leaders with greater control and visibility over their security posture.”
With an evolving threat landscape and widespread budget restraints amid the global economic downturn, organisations may find it unsustainable to continue prioritising solutions based on specific capabilities, over a holistic cybersecurity strategy. Prior research conducted by Keeper found that 92% of business leaders worldwide experienced an increase in cyberattacks year-over-year, with 95% of respondents acknowledging that threats have grown more sophisticated, partly due to advances in AI.
