IBM and Palo Alto Networks: Platformization is key to reduce cybersecurity complexity

Global survey reveals 75% of surveyed organizations pursuing a consolidated approach to security agree better integration across security, hybrid cloud, AI and other technology platforms is crucial.

With organizations looking to improve their cybersecurity, one of the biggest challenges they face is the number of cybersecurity solutions that they need to manage. According to a survey by IBM and Palo Alto Networks, the average organization juggled around 83 different security solutions from about 29 vendors.

Not only does this make managing cybersecurity a complex issue, it can also cause problems in integrating the various security solutions. Businesses around the world are already challenged with a shortage in cybersecurity talent. Having multiple solutions and trying to integrate them to have better visibility could only make the situation even more challenging.

As such, organizations are now looking towards a platformization approach in cybersecurity. The ‘Capturing the cybersecurity dividend: How security platforms generate business value’ survey study from the two tech vendors revealed that 7 out of 10 surveyed companies that have moves towards platformization are experiencing better business outcomes, especially in operational efficiencies and revenue generation.

It’s no surprise that 52% of surveyed executives note fragmentation of security solutions is limiting their ability to deal with cyber threats. Vendors continue to provide different solutions that can protect companies based on their capabilities. However, for 75% of organizations that have embraced security platformization, they have experienced better integration not just across cybersecurity but hybrid cloud, AI, and other technology platforms as well.

The analysis suggests the trend of adding more solutions to combat evolving security threats is contributing to inefficiency – impacting both performance and the bottom line – while moving to a platformized security approach can help businesses achieve reduced response times and costs without sacrificing security efficacy.

Managing cybersecurity complexity

Organizations are more challenged in managing their cybersecurity today especially with more businesses looking towards increasing their AI adoption. While AI itself can be used to help with cybersecurity, the reality is, tncreased digital interconnectedness expands attack surfaces and can create new cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated and harder to defend against, while AI is being used by both defenders and attackers, creating a race in cybersecurity capabilities.

What’s concerning is that the complexities in managing cybersecurity is costing companies an average of 5% of their annual revenue. This does not include the costs of security incidents, lost productivity, failed digital transformations, stalled AI initiatives, loss of customer trust and reputational damage.

“Organizations continue to be challenged with updating their security posture to address new threats, while simultaneously being pressed to reduce complexity and decrease spend,” said Mark Hughes, Global Managing Partner for Cybersecurity Services, IBM.

For Hughes, security executives need to enable innovation, protect assets and derive value from their cybersecurity investments to help their organizations thrive and further their business goals.

Meanwhile, Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President, ASEAN, Palo Alto Networks pointed out that Singapore’s organizations are rapidly embracing a platformized approach to security, recognizing its ability to enhance efficiency, strengthen cyber resilience, and simplify operations.

“In an AI-driven era, strong partnerships are more critical than ever. IBM and Palo Alto Networks share a common vision of delivering greater security, operational, and business value. This isn’t just about addressing fragmentation today—it’s about equipping businesses in Singapore with the security foundation they need for the future,” added Scheurmann.

Taking a look at the response from Singaporean businesses on the survey, 78% of Singaporean executives say complexity is the biggest impediment to their cybersecurity operations while 62% of Singaporean executives agree they face pressure to reduce the cost of security – while globally, 41% say security fragmentation has driven up procurement costs. Four out of five non-platform organizations also state their security operations cannot effectively deal with the sheer quantity of threats and attacks.

Globally, 80% of platformization adopters say they have full visibility into potential vulnerabilities and threats. Moreover, platformized organizations globally also state that their mean time to identify (MTTI) and mean time to contain (MTTC) security incidents are shorter by an average of 72 and 84 days, respectively.

Moving towards platformization

While the idea of platformization in cybersecurity is seemingly the best way forward for organizations to manage their cybersecurity with minimal complexity, making the decision on how to platformize their cybersecurity can also be a challenge.

AI can definitely help with a platform approach as it enables organizations to better ingest and analyze data to deliver actionable insights. With 90% of surveyed executives expecting to scale, optimize, or innovate with AI within the next two years, integrating AI into their platforms can play a critical role in advancing their security preparedness.

Choosing the right vendor and partners in streamlining this process is key. While IBM and Palo Alto Networks’ strategic partnership allows companies to bring together leading security platforms, AI, and transformation capabilities, they need to work with a partner that can streamline the security mission.

Only with the right planning and strategy with partners and vendors can organizations move towards platformization with minimal complexity to have better control and visibility over their cybersecurity.