The rapid increase in digital threats has given rise to new security frameworks such as External Attack Surface Management (EASM) and Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM). This evolution in the vulnerability management landscape is driven by a notable increase in vulnerabilities, highlighted by a 31% annual increase in public reports, as indicated by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) in its 2023-24 Annual Cyber Threat Report.

David Dowling, head of product and solution design for cybersecurity at Interactive, sheds light on the complexities of managing diverse IT environments that span on-premises, cloud, and multi-cloud settings. He stresses the necessity of a unified management system to ensure continuous business processes and maintain operational agility.

Dowling identifies a significant challenge: the fragmented visibility across different systems, which can lead to undetected security breaches until they escalate. “Comprehensive visibility is crucial for the timely detection and mitigation of security vulnerabilities,” Dowling noted in a conversation with iTnews.

With data and applications flowing across various platforms, Dowling emphasizes the paramount importance of prioritizing cybersecurity to protect sensitive information and ensure operational integrity against ongoing threats.

Advanced Threat Intelligence and Unified Management

As hybrid infrastructures expand, managing them becomes increasingly complex. Dowling advocates for a centralized management approach that simplifies monitoring and accelerates threat response. “This centralized approach is vital as it helps in quickly identifying and mitigating threats, ensuring that businesses can adapt to market demands without compromising security,” he explained.

Dowling highlights the benefits of integrated systems such as Microsoft Sentinel, which uses threat intelligence from the ACSC to automate critical security operations. “Microsoft’s integration with the ACSC enriches Sentinel with advanced threat intelligence, streamlining the management of phishing and malware threats significantly,” he added.

The Importance of Automation in Cyber Hygiene

Dowling champions automating standard security tasks to minimize human errors and speed up responses to threats. “Automating routine tasks allows us to allocate resources to more complex challenges, enhancing our security posture,” he stated. Automation helps maintain strong defenses and ensures that operational priorities are met efficiently.

Balancing Operational Agility with Robust Security

The hybrid cloud model offers flexibility and rapid scalability but also introduces potential security vulnerabilities. “Finding the right balance between agility and security is crucial. Integrating strong security measures into the hybrid model ensures that innovations are secure and that the integrity of operations is not compromised,” Dowling advises.

Enhancing Resilience with Multi-Cloud Strategies

Utilizing multi-cloud strategies is an effective way to mitigate risks and enhance system resilience. By spreading workloads across multiple cloud providers, organizations can avoid the pitfalls of a single point of failure and enhance their defenses against targeted cyberattacks.

“By leveraging the unique capabilities of different cloud providers, we enhance our overall security framework, ensuring that our operations are robust and resilient against disruptions,” explained Dowling.

Looking Ahead: Strategic Cybersecurity in Hybrid Infrastructures

Dowling underscores the necessity of adopting a comprehensive security strategy that includes both on-premise and cloud components. This strategy should encompass advanced threat detection, effective identity and access management (IAM), and regular system updates.

“Effective IAM is crucial for controlling access to sensitive data and preventing breaches caused by compromised credentials. It acts as a key safeguard in today’s complex security landscape,” Dowling concludes, emphasizing the ongoing need for adaptive cybersecurity strategies to manage the complexities of modern hybrid environments effectively.