By Mufassira Fathima, Content Writer, Allied Analytics LLP
Modern-day IT infrastructures and data centers are revolutionized by the advent of technology and cloud-based services. The emergence of the cloud, as a platform, has redefined how enterprises function as a business model. Moreover, the emergence of the IoT and BYOD trends is already creating ripples in the IT industry and the cyber world. With progress being made with such rapidity, it is imperative that the issue of cybersecurity be given much thought. Business enterprises and IT giants are leaving no stone unturned in employing the best solutions and services for risk & compliance, unified threat management (UTM), identity and access management (IAM), encryption, and intrusion prevention systems.
While IT giants like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM have been proactive in ensuring optimum protection of their networks and data through on-premise as well as cloud cybersecurity solutions, the SMEs (small & medium business enterprises) are swift to catch up. Cybersecurity has become as essential for the efficient management and handling of business operations as it has for ensuring network securities.
The entire cybersecurity market is expected to garner an impressive $198 billion by 2022. This will be projected by a CAGR of 15.5% during the given forecast period. Among all the end-users, it is estimated that SMEs are the fastest-growing user base, with an expected CAGR of 18.5% till 2022. The very statistic is enough to reinstate the fact that even small business organizations are reaching out for foolproof safety measures to secure their IT networks and infrastructures from foreign threats.
UTM through single console a must for SMEs
Threat management is as big a concern for small and medium businesses as it is for the large ones. While every enterprise is vulnerable to attacks and threats to its network from various sources, it has become imperative to enforce security measures throughout the functioning of the business to prevent data breach or inhibition of virus and malware. Unified threat management allows an integrated approach to cybersecurity as it allows the network administrator to govern a; the applications through a single console.
Advanced features of a UTM enable identity-based access control, prevention of intrusion, allowing load balancing, and application awareness. Swift replacing the traditional firewalls, the adoption of UTMs by SMEs has ensured that their cloud operations, as well as network appliances, are protected from spam, malware, intruders, and hackers through only a non-complex method. This will not only provide cybersecurity but also enhance the productivity of the firm’s operations, as its security threats can be taken care of effectively.
BYOD & authentication
Keeping in pace with the latest work cultures and lifestyle choices, the bring-your-own-device trend has taken business organizations’ by storm. Ushering in an era of transparency where employees can work and stay connected to their office through their own devices, the trend has made functioning and operations and easier. However, the problem of cybersecurity is still bound to creep with. A large number of people connected to the enterprise’s network through personal devices makes them susceptible intrusion and attacks from internal employees too. This has triggered even medium enterprises and small firms to come up with stringent user identification and authentication protocols to safeguard their networks. They have to achieve this without compromising the security of corporate data and the privacy of the end-user.
By employing controls that reach enterprise-strength security mode on a wide array of mobile computing devices, the personal privacy of the employee as well as enterprise data. Cybersecurity for SMEs has to be custom-made to fit the unique needs of the business and the personalized devices used for accessing work by employees. The security policies must authenticate user credentials and access to data available on the network and strike a balance between a transparent yet secure work culture.
Startups and firms that operate in the cloud and deal with critical volumes and quality of data, such as IT & telecom, finance, and retail are roping in the best software and network protection policies to secure their servers from cyber threats and intrusion. All these factors are responsible for propelling the growth of the cybersecurity market in the SME end-user segment.
A strict IT governance structure in place is of vital essence to an organization’s IT security. With the enabling of multi-factor authentication, strong firewalls, and careful assigning of access permissions, the issue of cybersecurity has attained paramount importance in every SME. Not only does IAM software allow for timely addressing of authorized user access and other intrusion-related issues, but also forms a larger part of an enterprise cost-cutting measure. The entire cybersecurity industry is set to grow by leaps and bounds, as the potency of cloud security and antivirus software in an IT infrastructure gains greater prominence among all types of business organizations.
About the Author
Mufassira is a content writer at Allied Analytics LLP. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management. She has an active interest in the beauty and cosmetic industry. Mufassira reads, researches, and writes actively on a diverse range of topics including current beauty trends.
