Microsegmentation Enhances Cybersecurity Response and Lowers Insurance Costs
In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity is a top priority for organizations across the globe. Akamai Technologies recently published a comprehensive report titled The Segmentation Impact Study, revealing the critical role of microsegmentation in enhancing enterprise cybersecurity and resilience. The study surveyed 1,200 security and technology leaders and highlighted that companies adopting microsegmentation not only reduce response times to cyber threats, like ransomware but also secure better terms on their cyber insurance policies.
Microsegmentation is a cybersecurity technique that divides a network into smaller, isolated segments to contain potential breaches. This approach significantly limits the lateral movement of cybercriminals within the network, providing a more robust defense against attacks. While 90% of surveyed organizations have some form of segmentation in place, only 35% have fully implemented microsegmentation. This discrepancy indicates a substantial opportunity for organizations to bolster their cybersecurity frameworks.
The report shares striking findings: organizations adopting microsegmentation saw a 33% reduction in ransomware containment times. This shift not only accelerates incident response but also allows businesses to maintain operational continuity with minimal disruption. Ofer Wolf, Senior Vice President at Akamai, emphasizes that implementing microsegmentation helps organizations focus on their core activities without the persistent worry of cyber disruptions.
Among the examined organizations, 79% experienced ransomware attacks over the past 24 months, reinforcing the necessity for robust protection measures. Specifically, 63% of companies that adopted microsegmentation did so primarily to contain ransomware threats efficiently. Additionally, 56% aimed for quicker incident responses, while 74% focused on safeguarding critical assets.
In the context of today’s threat environment, cyber insurance has become an essential layer of protection. The report illustrates that as organizations bolster their segmentation maturity, they benefit from lower insurance premiums, improved claims processing, and significantly better protection outcomes. Notably, 75% of organizations reported that insurers evaluate segmentation practices during the underwriting process. More than half of the surveyed companies noted receiving premium reductions linked to their segmentation strategies.
Interestingly, 85% found that microsegmentation simplifies audit reporting, which can lead to decreased costs associated with regulatory compliance validations. As organizations look to align with industry standards, microsegmentation can play a pivotal role in meeting regulatory requirements while mitigating potential penalties.
Despite the substantial benefits, the study identifies barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of microsegmentation. Common challenges highlighted by respondents include the complexity of network systems (44%), gaps in visibility (39%), and resistance from operational teams (32%). Addressing these obstacles is critical; organizations that successfully navigate these waters report fewer compromised systems and lower costs in incident recovery efforts.
The insights presented in Akamai's report reinforce the increasing importance of microsegmentation in contemporary cybersecurity measures. As organizations continue to embrace these advanced strategies, the report suggests practical recommendations and takeaways for effectively implementing microsegmentation within existing frameworks. Akamai is also investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the challenges associated with the adoption of microsegmentation, aiming to enhance organizational security further.
As enterprises strive for improved cybersecurity resilience against the backdrop of escalating cyber threats, microsegmentation emerges as a foundational element. With the potential to transform risk management and insurance perspectives, embracing microsegmentation is not just a tactical choice but a strategic imperative in today’s digital economy.
What is Microsegmentation?
Microsegmentation is a cybersecurity technique that divides a network into smaller, isolated segments to contain potential breaches. This approach significantly limits the lateral movement of cybercriminals within the network, providing a more robust defense against attacks. While 90% of surveyed organizations have some form of segmentation in place, only 35% have fully implemented microsegmentation. This discrepancy indicates a substantial opportunity for organizations to bolster their cybersecurity frameworks.
Enhancements in Incident Response
The report shares striking findings: organizations adopting microsegmentation saw a 33% reduction in ransomware containment times. This shift not only accelerates incident response but also allows businesses to maintain operational continuity with minimal disruption. Ofer Wolf, Senior Vice President at Akamai, emphasizes that implementing microsegmentation helps organizations focus on their core activities without the persistent worry of cyber disruptions.
Among the examined organizations, 79% experienced ransomware attacks over the past 24 months, reinforcing the necessity for robust protection measures. Specifically, 63% of companies that adopted microsegmentation did so primarily to contain ransomware threats efficiently. Additionally, 56% aimed for quicker incident responses, while 74% focused on safeguarding critical assets.
Boosting Cyber Insurance Effectiveness
In the context of today’s threat environment, cyber insurance has become an essential layer of protection. The report illustrates that as organizations bolster their segmentation maturity, they benefit from lower insurance premiums, improved claims processing, and significantly better protection outcomes. Notably, 75% of organizations reported that insurers evaluate segmentation practices during the underwriting process. More than half of the surveyed companies noted receiving premium reductions linked to their segmentation strategies.
Interestingly, 85% found that microsegmentation simplifies audit reporting, which can lead to decreased costs associated with regulatory compliance validations. As organizations look to align with industry standards, microsegmentation can play a pivotal role in meeting regulatory requirements while mitigating potential penalties.
Challenges in Microsegmentation Adoption
Despite the substantial benefits, the study identifies barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of microsegmentation. Common challenges highlighted by respondents include the complexity of network systems (44%), gaps in visibility (39%), and resistance from operational teams (32%). Addressing these obstacles is critical; organizations that successfully navigate these waters report fewer compromised systems and lower costs in incident recovery efforts.
Moving Forward with Microsegmentation
The insights presented in Akamai's report reinforce the increasing importance of microsegmentation in contemporary cybersecurity measures. As organizations continue to embrace these advanced strategies, the report suggests practical recommendations and takeaways for effectively implementing microsegmentation within existing frameworks. Akamai is also investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle the challenges associated with the adoption of microsegmentation, aiming to enhance organizational security further.
As enterprises strive for improved cybersecurity resilience against the backdrop of escalating cyber threats, microsegmentation emerges as a foundational element. With the potential to transform risk management and insurance perspectives, embracing microsegmentation is not just a tactical choice but a strategic imperative in today’s digital economy.
Topics Consumer Technology）
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