In the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, organizations worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, are encountering unprecedented challenges in protecting their digital assets. This complex and escalating cyber threat landscape underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and dynamic security strategies. To address these emerging issues, Info-Tech Research Group has published its “Security Priorities 2024” report. This extensive report brings to light the critical security measures that organizations need to focus on in 2024 and beyond. The central theme of the report revolves around the necessity for organizations to evolve their security strategies to counter the continuous changes in cyber threats. Info-Tech Research Group emphasizes a strategic approach that includes clear oversight and effective implementation of security initiatives. The goal is to improve organizational resilience against a wide array of cyber threats. The report’s insights and recommendations are geared towards equipping cybersecurity leaders with the knowledge to prepare for an evolving threat landscape.
Evolving Security Strategies
A significant aspect highlighted in the report is the complexity added by the rapid adoption of AI technologies across both public and private sectors. Robert Dang, principal advisory director at Info-Tech Research Group, APAC, notes that CISOs and security leaders must balance enabling new AI technologies with managing the accompanying risks. Failing to adopt AI could cause organizations to lag behind peers and exacerbate existing challenges, including workforce development and operationalizing zero trust security frameworks. One of the report’s critical findings is the shift from traditional, reactive security postures to proactive, predictive security strategies. This shift is necessary to keep pace with the dynamic nature of cyber threats. The annual report stresses the importance of fostering a security-centric culture within organizations. Enhancing collaboration between security teams and other business units and developing agile security frameworks that can adapt to new threats and evolving business needs are essential steps.
The emergence of advanced technologies offers opportunities for unique approaches to managing security challenges. These opportunities include addressing the talent shortage through upskilling, laying a foundation for implementing AI technologies, and evaluating an organization’s security risk management practices relative to their integration with enterprise operations. The comprehensive research behind Info-Tech’s latest report includes insights from the firm’s Future of IT survey and in-depth interviews with IT and security professionals across industries and regions. This diverse approach ensures that the report incorporates the experiences of leaders from both small and large organizations, covering a broad spectrum of security budgets. The research reflects the realities of managing cybersecurity across different organizational contexts, from multinational corporations to agile startups.
Addressing the Talent Shortage
Ahmad Jowhar, research analyst and lead author of the report, points out that the emergence of advanced technologies offers several paths to managing security challenges, one of which is addressing the pervasive talent shortage through upskilling current employees. Upskilling is not merely about increasing headcount; it is about enhancing the capabilities of the existing workforce to manage, predict, and mitigate cyber threats effectively. This also includes laying a foundation for implementing AI technologies, which can serve as force multipliers by automating routine tasks and allowing skilled professionals to concentrate on more complex issues.
A significant finding from the report is the necessity to develop processes and programs that attract, retain, and enhance cybersecurity talent. This includes fostering an internal culture that values continuous learning and professional development. Organizations need to align their security priorities with their overall business objectives, making cybersecurity a core component of their strategic plans. Dive into the detailed research results from the Future of IT survey, which offer valuable insights into the talent challenges and opportunities faced by varying organizations. Understanding the diverse experiences from both small and large enterprises helps tailor strategies to efficiently build and optimize security workforces.
Securing the AI Revolution
With many organizations leveraging AI, adopting a robust framework to ensure its effective and safe utilization has never been more imperative. Establishing AI governance is crucial for mitigating risks and maintaining ethical standards. The Info-Tech report highlights a concerning statistic: over 40% of organizations survive without formal AI governance, presenting notable risks. Security leaders should swiftly prioritize identifying AI goals, addressing security gaps, and formalizing an AI governance framework that includes clear accountability and risk management strategies, ensuring a balanced approach to adopting these transformative technologies.
The widespread adoption of AI inevitably increases reliance on third-party vendor platforms, amplifying risk factors associated with these interactions. Such increased dependency requires vigilant third-party risk management to prevent vulnerability exploitation. Security leaders are urged to develop comprehensive vendor risk management policies and ensure these practices are both understood and communicated to executives. By fostering a security-centric corporate culture and maintaining robust AI governance frameworks, organizations can better secure their innovative initiatives while effectively managing third-party risks.
Operationalizing Zero Trust Strategy
As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, adopting a zero trust framework has become essential in enhancing security posture. Unlike traditional security models, zero trust assumes that threats could arise from both outside and within the network. Consequently, all users and devices require continuous verification. A zero trust model reduces attackers’ ability to move laterally within a network, enforces least privilege access, and minimizes the attack surface. For optimal implementation, security leaders should adopt an iterative and scalable approach while developing a zero trust roadmap, starting with critical assets and consistently improving the strategy over time to adapt to evolving threats.
Automated and AI-based threats are on the rise, increasing the need for automated security processes. Organizations should refine these processes to proactively defend against sophisticated attacks and maintain technological superiority. The Info-Tech report advises security leaders to carefully assess which security processes can be automated effectively without introducing new risks. Developing a detailed automation roadmap aligned with strategic objectives is essential for obtaining executive support. Prioritizing automation helps reinforce defensive infrastructures, ensuring that organizations can effectively combat cyber threats while maintaining optimal operational functionality.
Embedding Security Risk Management
Organizations worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, are facing unprecedented challenges in safeguarding their digital assets due to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. This complex and growing cyber threat landscape highlights the urgent need for holistic and proactive security strategies. To tackle these emerging issues, Info-Tech Research Group has released its “Security Priorities 2024” report. This comprehensive report sheds light on the critical security measures that organizations need to prioritize in 2024 and beyond. The core message of the report emphasizes the necessity for organizations to evolve their security strategies in response to the ever-changing cyber threat environment. Info-Tech Research Group stresses a strategic approach that includes clear oversight and effective execution of security initiatives. The objective is to bolster organizational resilience against a diverse array of cyber threats. The report’s insights and recommendations are designed to equip cybersecurity leaders with the knowledge needed to prepare for and adapt to an evolving threat landscape.
