December 15, 2023 at 11:04AM
Cybersecurity vendors emphasize the need for enterprises to switch from standalone products to cybersecurity platforms. Despite this, research shows an increasing number of standalone products used by organizations. Omdia suggests reasons like ineffective communication by platform vendors, entrenchment in existing tools, reluctance to cede control, and platforms not delivering desired outcomes. Vendors should accept the reality and support integration, while enterprises should consider the evolving platform landscape.
After reviewing the meeting notes, it seems that the key takeaway is the discrepancy between the messaging from cybersecurity platform vendors and the actual adoption and use of these platforms by enterprises. Although the vendors advocate for the benefits of consolidating cybersecurity products into a platform solution, the reality is that enterprises continue to gravitate towards a best-of-breed approach, maintaining multiple standalone security products. This is despite the challenges highlighted by the vendors, such as the cost and complexity of managing standalone products, the difficulty in finding skilled cybersecurity professionals, and the claimed efficacy of platform solutions.
The reasons for this discrepancy could include ineffective communication of platform benefits, reluctance to abandon existing tools, concerns about vendor lock-in, perceived lack of efficacy from platform solutions, and loyalty to niche vendors that address specific cybersecurity pain points effectively.
The meeting notes imply that both vendors and enterprises need to acknowledge and adapt to this reality. Vendors should not only promote the benefits of platform solutions but also support the integration of diverse security products through technology partnerships and open standards. Enterprises, on the other hand, should consider the evolving platform landscape during solution refresh cycles, and ensure that their requirements include practical examples of successful best-of-breed integrations.
For service providers and channel partners, there are opportunities to assist enterprises in implementing and managing best-of-breed cybersecurity solutions, as well as in advocating the benefits of cybersecurity platforms.
For further insights, the Omdia Cybersecurity Decision Maker 2023 report is recommended, with the caveat that a subscription is required to access it.