Companies struggling with hybrid IT and zero trust controls – Pulse Secure
.jpg)
Software-defined access solutions provider Pulse Secure has released a report that quantifies the threats, gaps and investment as organisations face increasing hybrid IT access challenges.
The 2019 State of Enterprise Secure Access report surveys large enterprises in the US, UK and DACH (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), uncovering business risk and impact resulting in a pivot towards extending Zero Trust capabilities to enable productivity and stem exposures to multi-cloud resources, applications and sensitive data.
While enterprises are taking advantage of cloud computing, the survey data showed all enterprises have ongoing data centre dependencies.
One-fifth of respondents anticipate lowering their data centre investment, while more than 40% indicated a material increase in private and public cloud investment.
According to the report, the shift in how organisations deliver Hybrid IT services to enable digital transformation must also take into consideration empowering a mobile workforce, supporting consumer and IoT devices in the workplace and meeting data privacy compliance obligations – all make for a challenging environment to ensure, monitor and audit access security.
"What was consistent across enterprise sizes, sectors or location was that secure access for hybrid IT is a current and growing concern with cyber threats, requirements and issues emerging from many sources,” says IDG Connect editorial director Martin Veitch.
“The reporting findings and insights should empower corporate leadership and IT security professionals to rethink how their organisations are protecting resources and sensitive data as they migrate to the cloud.”
Key Findings
The survey found the most impactful incidents were contributed by a lack of user and device access visibility and lax endpoint, authentication and authorisation access controls. Over the last 18 months, half of all companies dealt with malware, unauthorised/vulnerable endpoint use and mobile or web apps exposures.
Nearly half experienced unauthorised access to data and resources due to insecure endpoints and privileged users, as well as unauthorised application access due to poor authentication or encryption controls.
While a third expressed significant confidence, 61% of respondents indicated modest confidence in their security processes, human resources, intelligence and tools to mitigate access security threats.
The survey revealed the top access threat mitigation deficiencies:
- Defining app, data and resource access and protection requirements
- Defining, implementing and enforcing user and device access policy
- Provisioning, monitoring and enforcing BYOD and IoT device access
When survey participants were asked what they perceive as their largest operational gaps for access security, the majority identified hybrid IT application availability; user, device and mobile discovery and exposures; weak device configuration compliance; and inconsistent or incomplete enforcement.
Correspondingly, the participants stated that their organisations are stepping up their access security initiatives:
- 48% improving endpoint security, remediation prior to access
- 46% enhancing IoT discovery, isolation and access control
- 44% fortifying network and cloud access visibility and resource segmentation
The cited incidents, threat mitigation deficiencies and operational gaps are among reasons for the interest in a Zero Trust approach for access security.
A Zero Trust model authenticates, authorises and verifies users, devices, applications and resources no matter where they reside.
It encompasses proving identity, device and security state before and during a transaction; applying a least privilege access closest to the entities, applications and data; and extending intelligence to allow policies to adapt to changing requirements and conditions.
Adding to management complexity, the report also found that organisations employ three or more secure access tools per each of 13 solutions presented in the survey.
Larger companies have about 30% more tools than smaller enterprises.
Correspondingly, nearly half of respondents were open to exploring the benefits of consolidating their security tools into suites.
With the migration to the cloud, one tool of interest cited by respondents as being implemented or planned over the next 18 months is Software Defined Perimeter (SDP).
Research Highlights
- 91% of enterprises plan to increase secure access expenditure over the next 18 months; 30% anticipate an increase spend between 15% to 25%
- 44% of enterprises use data centre in conjunction with public cloud, 30% in conjunction with private cloud, and 26% utilise all three delivery environments
- 46% of large enterprises prefer data centre and private cloud; primarily preferred by financial services and UK-based companies
- 49% or more cited significant access incidents due to malware, unauthorised and vulnerable endpoint use and mobile and web app exposures - healthcare organisations experienced greater mobile and web app exposures
- 81% expressed gaps in hybrid IT application availability - financial services experienced the most business impact related to application availability
- 78% indicated the need for greater visibility of users, endpoints and mobile devices; more evident in large enterprises and those in the DACH region
- 42% will focus on refining privileged user or service account-based access – a top priority in financial services and manufacturing
- 48% stated a willingness to explore secure access tool consolidation into suites
- 56% stated a project or pilot of Software Defined Perimeter technology over the next 18 months
- Over 38% of respondents outsource secure access capabilities to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) with additional MSSP usage to grow 10% by 2021
The independent research for the report, which offers key insights into the current access security landscape and the maturity of defences, was conducted by IDG Connect.
Survey respondents included more than 300 information security decision makers in enterprises with more than 1,000 employees across US, UK and DACH regions, and covered key verticals including financial services, healthcare, manufacturing and services.
source securitybriefeu
Industry: Cyber Security News
Latest Jobs
-
- Senior Client Microsoft Security Delivery Consultant - Hybrid (London | Remote)
- London
- N/A
-
Senior Client Microsoft Security Delivery Consultant - Hybrid (London | Remote) We are seeking an experienced technical Security Consultant to help clients deploy and enhance their cyber defences across Microsoft and vulnerability management technologies. You will work with enterprise customers to deliver tailored solutions across threat detection, endpoint protection and exposure management, ensuring security platforms are efficient, integrated and aligned with operational goals. Whilst you won't do the design yourself- you will work alongside technical Presales to document, agree and then deliver the solution. You will have experience leading delivery the implementation and improvement projects, providing hands-on support with configuration, integration and optimisation. You will assess existing environments, recommend enhancements and guide clients on best practice to strengthen visibility and control. Strong experience with SIEM, XDR and vulnerability tooling (Microsoft & Tenable ecosystems ideal) Understanding of Azure security, identity and access controls Background in consulting or project-based cyber delivery Clear communication skills with the ability to engage senior stakeholders Extra points if you have the SC-100. You must be eligible to achieve UK Security Clearance to be considered for this role.
-
- Account Director | Cyber Security Consulting | UK - South East
- London
- N/A
-
Account Director | Cyber Security Consulting - Financial Services | UK - South East. New Role due to Growth We are looking for an experienced Account Director to develop and expand existing relationships across the financial services sector, working with investment firms, asset managers, private equity groups and strategic partners to deliver intelligent cyber consulting and a bespoke Cyber product offerings. You will act as a trusted advisor, helping organisations strengthen digital resilience, manage third-party and regulatory risk and adopt a proactive approach to cyber assurance. Key Responsibilities Manage a defined portfolio of financial clients, understanding business priorities and aligning tailored cyber solutions. Drive new client engagement while nurturing existing partnerships through a consultative, long-term approach. Present the benefits of advanced cyber services including threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident readiness, and continuous risk monitoring. Collaborate with technical and delivery teams to ensure smooth engagement from proposal through to implementation and ongoing support. Prepare proposals, negotiate commercial terms, and clearly articulate value and business outcomes. Build trusted relationships at senior and board level. Ideal Profile Strong background in cybersecurity, consulting, or risk management within financial services. Skilled communicator with proven success managing and growing key accounts. Able to translate complex technical insight into commercial and strategic value for clients. Confident engaging with senior stakeholders and decision makers. Please note: Sponsorship is not available.
-
- SOC Analyst- Level 2- Hybrid Greater London
- London
- N/A
-
SOC Analyst- Level 2- Hybrid Greater London New opportunity created through continued growth. We’re looking for a SOC Analyst (Level 2) to strengthen a growing managed security team. You’ll work hands-on with Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR, investigating alerts, responding to incidents, and helping improve how clients stay protected. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys unravelling security events, thinking critically under pressure, and making a real difference day to day. What you’ll do · Investigate and respond to security activity across SIEM and endpoint tools · Analyse network and log data to uncover real threats · Support automation initiatives to streamline response processes · Help maintain visibility, data flow, and performance across SOC platforms What you’ll need · Practical experience using Microsoft Sentinel and Defender XDR · Confident working with KQL or similar query languages · Understanding of attacker tactics and response techniques · SC-200 certifications would be nice. · Experience supporting multiple customer environments Please note: Sponsorship is not available.
-
- Senior SOC Engineer - UK - New role due to growth
- London
- N/A
-
Senior SOC Engineer – New role due to growth We are hiring a Senior SOC Engineer to take the lead across security operations for a growing managed service. You will lead detection, response and onboarding activity across multiple clients, helping shape how the SOC evolves. Expect variety; from fine-tuning alerts and threat hunting to supporting customers and mentoring junior analysts. What you’ll bring · Strong experience across SIEM, EDR, and threat detection tools · Confident working with customers in a managed service environment · Skilled in scripting or query languages such as KQL or PowerShell · Knowledge of frameworks like NIST, ISO27001, MITRE ATT&CK · Calm communicator with a problem-solving mindset · Experience with Azure Lighthouse or delegated access models · Prior involvement in automation or SOC improvement projects Location: South East England- Hybrid role Please note: Sponsorship cannot be offered now or in the future.