For those of us running small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cyber defence is often one of the most considerable running costs we have to deal with. From the time and resources required to constantly oversee and secure your network to the cost of dealing with a data breach, dealing with cyber threats can cost you in more ways than one.
Of course, with the proliferation of threats like ransomware and cyberattacks on the increase, the prospect of not investing in cybersecurity is completely out of the question. However, with the advent of automated security technologies, it’s possible to keep your business secure without breaking the bank.
But just where does automation fit into cybersecurity, and how can it help your small business to cut expenses without compromising on security?
The role of automation in cybersecurity
In recent years, there have been major breakthroughs in cybersecurity technology, with a growing number of security firms implementing AI, machine learning, and automation into their platforms. These platforms are often multifunctional, offering protection against a wide variety of threats.
One area where automation has proved particularly useful is in security validation. Using the power of AI and machine learning, Automated Security Validation (ASV) platforms can continuously monitor, assess, and evaluate the efficacy of your organisation's security controls. Moreover, they provide reports on identified misconfigurations and vulnerabilities, as well as offering recommendations for remediation.
A key strength of automated security platforms is the visibility they provide. By allowing you to maintain a constant overview of your organisation's security position, these automated tools can provide you with more regular, up-to-date, and actionable insights than traditional point-in-time testing processes such as manual penetration testing and red teaming. Furthermore, as ASV platforms are updated with the latest threat libraries and employ continuous monitoring, they facilitate better preparedness and fast detection and response.
Simply put, by ramping up visibility and vigilance through continuous security validation, these automated platforms offer organisations a higher level of protection than traditional security services. Of course, implementing these tools requires some investment, but in the long run, it is also the best option when it comes to managing your business finances effectively, as we'll discuss.
How automated security reduces costs
While the thought of investing in and implementing automated security platforms can be a daunting prospect, know that it is worth the effort. With these innovative new automated solutions at your disposal, you can cut security costs in a number of ways:
- Eliminating personnel costs: Specialist security experts don't come cheap, so having a full in-house security team can amount to a significant yearly overheard. Equally, hiring external security professionals like pen testers can be expensive, and with the threat landscape evolving all the time, there is a growing need for more regular testing. By using security platforms that can automate penetration testing and other security processes, you can reduce the need for in-house teams and frequent external testing, reducing costs.
- Reducing downtime: A successful cyber-attack can devastate a small business financially. One part of this is, of course, the cost of recovery. The other is the resulting downtime as security teams work to resolve security issues after an incident. By continuously identifying weaknesses and offering recommendations for remediation, automated security platforms can help your organisation to strengthen its defences and, minimise chances of disruption.
- Minimising cost to scale: It's not uncommon for SMEs to run into financial issues when trying to expand their operations, and cybersecurity is a key part of this. Expansion often requires the scaling of cybersecurity security to match a growing digital infrastructure. This can be prohibitively expensive if new hardware, software, and personnel are required. Automated security platforms can make a huge difference, as they are built to adapt dynamically to your business' IT infrastructure. This significantly reduces the cost of scaling up so that you can more easily finance a high-growth business.
- Avoiding regulatory fines: By continuously validating your organisation's security controls, automated security platforms can help ensure that your cybersecurity measures are always in accordance with industry standards and regulations like GDPR. By guaranteeing that sensitive data always has the best possible protection, you can avoid hefty fines resulting from non-compliance.
Automation empowering cost-effective cybersecurity
In a world of ever-evolving cyber threats, the need for continuous and comprehensive security is growing, and traditional security measures are falling behind, both in terms of protection and cost-effectiveness. Automated security, however, offers an alternative that improves on traditional methods on both counts. By implementing automated security platforms at your organisation, you can strengthen your cybersecurity posture and slash your operating costs in one fell swoop, giving you the flexibility and stability to pursue your long-term business goals.
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