Avoiding status quo bias in cybersecurity

Summary

This paper you’ll get an insight into the tendency towards status quo bias, which leads individuals and companies to resist change and stick to familiar ways of doing things. You’ll see how this bias affects decision-making around the adoption of cloud-based solutions and SaaS offerings — which offer significant benefits but are often rejected due to concerns around security and loss of control. You’ll also be given a cybersecurity lens with which to view these concerns and highlight the advantages, including improved efficiency and cost savings. You’ll also get details on how to book a free expert consultation, where you will get a comprehensive overview of your current cybersecurity posture and potential next steps.

Companies are slow to move away from what’s working for them now — even if there are benefits to change.

According to Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), 72% of information security leaders state that cloud migration represents a top digital transformation priority. However, many organizations are still hesitant to migrate their on-premise applications to the cloud due to concerns about losing control over data security and IT management. This hesitation stems from a psychological phenomenon known as the status quo bias, which is the human tendency to prefer the current situation over change, even if it is suboptimal. This mindset can lead to missed opportunities for growth and innovation.

What do we mean by ‘the cloud’?

The cloud is a global network of remote servers that operate as a single ecosystem. These servers are designed to store and manage data, run applications, and deliver content or services like productivity software, webmail, social media, or vulnerability management software. Instead of accessing data from a local computer, you can access it online from any web-enabled device anywhere anytime.

To overcome biases and embrace the benefits of cloud-based solutions, companies should view the situation through a cybersecurity lens.

With the right security controls and strategies in place, cloud adoption can provide businesses with increased efficiency, cost savings, and better access to resources and knowledge. There are a few initial benefits to moving to cloud/SaaS for security teams:

1.Public clouds provide built-in perimeter security and compliance controls for infrastructure, making it easier for security teams to manage data securely. This can save significant time and resources for companies, especially those without in-house cybersecurity experts.
2.Cloud-based services are generally easier to set up and configure, with many tasks such as patch management coming out of the box. This can reduce the time and effort required to manage on-premise solutions.
3.Dedicated cloud-based security tools exist that can automate and integrate security in DevOps workflows, detect runtime threats, and validate compliance. These tools can significantly enhance a company’s cybersecurity posture.

4.Single-tenant clouds offer an extra level of cyber protection by allowing administrators to control a virtual network and use an isolated section of the cloud for extra protection. Adding tools like Autobahn Security can provide an additional layer of protection by separating vulnerability findings from the on-premise network.

5.Cloud-based solutions allow for better application integration, enabling businesses to connect applications and data quickly. Integration with tools like Jira for vulnerability management can streamline processes and make remediation efforts more efficient.
6.Modern data centers are certified to the highest standards, providing companies with the most comprehensive compliance controls. Cloud providers like AWS, Azure, and GCP support multiple information security standards and compliance certifications, making it easier for companies to meet regulatory requirements.

The result

By embracing cloud and SaaS solutions, security teams can enjoy improved efficiency, cost savings, and better cybersecurity measures. Companies can expand and try new strategies and products without investing in expensive equipment, and employees can work remotely with greater security. Autobahn Security is trusted by Fortune 500 companies and has a proven pedigree in cybersecurity solutions for the cloud, offering a security-by-design application that clusters and prioritizes cybersecurity issues.

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