Convergence and consumerization is a double-edged security sword: Part 1
Convergence and consumerization is a double-edged security sword: Part 1
With the convergence of technologies and the increasing utilization of consumer-grade devices within the enterprise, CIOs are hard-pressed at making sure that the technology they use do not adversely affect the company’s security at the end of the day.
Indeed, the rising wave of technology convergence and the growing IT empowerment of workers are forcing enterprises to reassess their IT security strategies so that they can guard themselves against new technologies as much as they are looking to leverage them.
Convergence Changes the Game
The widespread adoption of IT to drive business processes is becoming central to enterprises’ aim of increasing productivity and profit. Technology advancements have emerged as a competitive differentiator and are helping to drive business innovation. Looking ahead, the dual concepts of business and IT will only become more singular, as firms look to blend technology into their business DNA.
As organizations become more technology-reliant, they will inevitable have to look at adopting multifaceted and defense-in-depth approaches in their security setup to cope with sophisticated attacks and a greater number of vulnerability points.
User Empowerment Raises the Threat
With the rapid emergence of Web and cloud technologies, as well as the proliferation of mobile devices in the enterprise space, firms must address new security issues associated with growing freedom on the user front and the loss of control on the enterprise side. Indeed, businesses are already playing catch-up with the latest consumer trends spilling over to the enterprise arena.
Another complication is that the different roles of the individual are converging across the professional, personal and public domains. The technological strides made in instant connectivity and mobile communications have made it easier for workers to combine social roles across various domains, be it working from home, while commuting or just doing recreational Web surfing in the office.
To get the right balance between empowering workers and giving them too much freedom, firms should adopt a more user-centric minded approach towards IT security. Beyond looking at security from an infrastructure or information angle, they must start minimizing security risks from the end-user front. Enterprises have to ensure that the power of control lies with the IT administrator, rather than individual workers themselves.
Indeed, the rising wave of technology convergence and the growing IT empowerment of workers are forcing enterprises to reassess their IT security strategies so that they can guard themselves against new technologies as much as they are looking to leverage them.
Convergence Changes the Game
The widespread adoption of IT to drive business processes is becoming central to enterprises’ aim of increasing productivity and profit. Technology advancements have emerged as a competitive differentiator and are helping to drive business innovation. Looking ahead, the dual concepts of business and IT will only become more singular, as firms look to blend technology into their business DNA.
As organizations become more technology-reliant, they will inevitable have to look at adopting multifaceted and defense-in-depth approaches in their security setup to cope with sophisticated attacks and a greater number of vulnerability points.
User Empowerment Raises the Threat
With the rapid emergence of Web and cloud technologies, as well as the proliferation of mobile devices in the enterprise space, firms must address new security issues associated with growing freedom on the user front and the loss of control on the enterprise side. Indeed, businesses are already playing catch-up with the latest consumer trends spilling over to the enterprise arena.
Another complication is that the different roles of the individual are converging across the professional, personal and public domains. The technological strides made in instant connectivity and mobile communications have made it easier for workers to combine social roles across various domains, be it working from home, while commuting or just doing recreational Web surfing in the office.
To get the right balance between empowering workers and giving them too much freedom, firms should adopt a more user-centric minded approach towards IT security. Beyond looking at security from an infrastructure or information angle, they must start minimizing security risks from the end-user front. Enterprises have to ensure that the power of control lies with the IT administrator, rather than individual workers themselves.
