Sheldon Anthony IO

The traditional approach of using perimeter-based security solutions is no longer enough to safeguard systems from sophisticated and persistent cyber threats. A cybersecurity mesh architecture is an innovative approach to cybersecurity that helps to reduce individual security incidents. By using a cybersecurity mesh architecture, organizations will reduce the financial impacts associated with individual security incidents by 90% by 2024, according to Gartner. ^[1] The distributed nature of the architecture, coupled with ML and AI capabilities, provides comprehensive coverage, real-time threat detection, and response. It is a proactive approach to cybersecurity that is more effective in securing networks and applications.

Traditional perimeter-based security solutions involve defending the network perimeter with firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and demilitarised zones(DMZs), This approach assumes that all assets within the network are trustworthy, while it only protects the perimeter of the network. This perimeter has dissolved with the emergence of cloud computing, IoT devices, and remote employees. This limitation makes traditional perimeter-based solutions insufficient against modern cyber threats such as phishing, ransomware, and malware.

With 11 branches across New Zealand and eight Pacific islands, Tower serves over 300,000 clients as a shareholder-owned P&C insurer. As an insurance provider, the company covers the homes, vehicles, valuables, and businesses of its customers. A key aspect of Tower's digital leadership in the insurance industry is its ability to enable employees to work from anywhere. In order to build an agile and competitive business, Tower's IT staff determined that its legacy castle-and-mote network was unable to deliver agility, adequate security, enhance productivity, or improve user experience as Tower's digital transformation focuses on building an agile and competitive business. Based on a collaboration with The Instillery Group, Tower decided to implement a zero-trust approach. By eliminating legacy appliances, the company is able to reduce costs and complexity, while boosting security. Besides eliminating hardware procurement, deployment, and management costs, the company gained critical information to assist in the decision-making process. By reducing ongoing administrative burdens, improving experiences, and enhancing business continuity, they significantly reduced ongoing administrative burdens. After implementing the Zero Trust Exchange, the company has seen a considerable reduction in malware incidents.^[2]

Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and as such, our security infrastructure must also evolve. With the trend of remote work and cloud computing, the traditional security model is no longer effective in containing an attack on a single location. By transitioning to a cybersecurity mesh, business owners can mitigate these challenges and protect their organizations from more advanced threats. A cybersecurity mesh reduces individual security incidents by providing comprehensive security coverage across multiple devices, applications, and systems. The distributed nature of the architecture means that if one device is comprised, the security incident will not spread to other parts of the system. The onus is up to business owners to educate, demonstrate, and align the cybersecurity mesh with the business culture of their organization. Embracing changes in the cyber security world can be a bit of an issue but gamification of the process of adoption can make it more interactive and encouraging for stakeholders.

Market leaders who have implemented a cybersecurity mesh will greatly enhance their organization's cyber security by providing a more comprehensive security system, better information security, and regulatory compliance. They are effectively identifying and responding to attack vectors and reducing vulnerabilities through the implementation of best practices. With a robust and secure network to protect against future threats, leaders can strive for optimal security to protect their most valuable digital assets.