The Traditional Model of Security is Evolving
Matt Soseman, senior security architect for Microsoft Software, joined the discussion to talk about the ways that security has continued to change, especially in recognition of a mostly remote workforce.
The way we work has changed, Soseman said. “We’re at home. We’re anywhere except the office. We’re using devices that might be owned by the company, but might not be. They may be personal devices. We’re maybe not on a VPN. We’re probably not hard-wired into the company’s network. So, the model’s changed drastically.”
All of these changes are forcing IT leaders to rethink their approach to cybersecurity, Soseman said, “because our assets are really everywhere now.”
Soseman echoed Chacon in recommending a zero-trust model to handle evolving security needs. “The reality is that you’re using personal devices that probably aren’t managed. You’re using SaaS applications that IT has no idea you’re using. Your data is stored everywhere. The one common denominator to all of that is identity.”
A zero-trust model leverages identity and allows an organization to limit risk by identifying users and devices and controlling access to data based on that information. At Microsoft, the company has developed Azure Active Directory to harness the power of identity in the use of such tools as multifactor authentication and conditional access.
When considering a zero-trust model, it’s important to bring legal, HR, and senior leaders from every business unit into the conversation. It will require some translation from technical to business language, but Soseman said it can lead to “game-changing” business outcomes.
How Strategic Partnerships Can Assist with Business Outcomes
Corey Carrico, senior field marketing manager at CDW, also joined the conversation to talk about the advantages of a strategic partnership when an organization is looking to modernize.
CDW worked with a large, multifaceted, international retailer to help accomplish business outcomes that could’ve been derailed by the pandemic. The retailer was working to develop an infrastructure that would support initiatives such as shopper apps, loyalty programs, digital signage, data center cloud connectivity and security. When the pandemic hit, it required the company to reprioritize and dramatically accelerate the rate of implementation for those initiatives.
The retailer’s partnership with CDW allowed it to realize the business outcomes it had in mind, providing a better customer experience even during a time of increased restrictions and social distancing requirements.
Follow BizTech’s full coverage of the CDW Tech Talk series here. Insiders can register for the event series here.