IT Users Grapple With Network Security Vendors

In what can well be termed as a backlash against complexity, a majority of

users surveyed across Indian enterprises have said that management complexities

such as multiple security vendors and multiple passwords are the top pain points

for them.

In a survey of 1,213 users across India, as many as 58 percent of users have

identified managing solution with multiple security vendors as a pain area. An

almost equal number of users-56 percent to be accurate-see multiple passwords

for authentication as a pain point. Complexity in managing security issues,

complex security environment leading to loss of productivity, and restrictive

desktop procedures have emerged as the other top-of-mind issues for IT users in

a survey conducted by Microsoft and Cross Tab. The results have been shared

exclusively with Dataquest.

'Check Noise, Make Noise'



Most users identified with the problem of multiple security vendors as

having solutions from multiple vendors meant that there will be different

implementation stages, updates, licenses and different configurations.

Password management has been another key challenge where more than 50 percent

of the respondents complained of log-in attempt failures. Different compliance

initiatives have led the organization to enforce strong password policies, but

remembering those passwords is increasingly becoming a challenge.

Many users who were surveyed also complained that a lot of effort goes into

solving issues related to security solutions. Security issues that are too

complicated to handle decrease the overall IT efficiency of the organization. 52

percent of respondents felt that IT security management is extremely difficult

to handle and a lot of time is spent in solving these issues.

The end users realized that they are burdened with too many security

compliances. This problem was linked with the authentication process involved or

other related issues. There are a lot of 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' in an organization,

especially when it comes to installing a software. More than 50 percent users

were burdened with too many security compliances in the organization.

A little less than half (47 percent) the respondents were frustrated with the

total hours wasted by the end users because of security management issues,

leading to the loss of productivity.

Finally, users also cited the problem that there are a lot of restrictions

when it comes to desktop security procedures, which often do not allow

installation of applications, chat services, social networking tools, etc.

Increasingly, some of these are used for doing business. Lack of access to these

tools, hence, becomes frustrating for any frontline executive.

Lowering the Noise



A set of strategies are recommended in response to the survey. These

recommendations would have a positive impact on the users and the decision

makers to implement an effective IT infrastructure. The report suggests that

there has to be vendor consolidation to have less dependency on multiple

vendors. A simple and single solution would also allow easy deployment and

alignment with the internal IT infrastructure.

A less regulatory and less compliance pressure can also lead to simple

authentication steps. An effective security solution should be implemented that

increases the performance and productivity of the organization, while also

understanding the user's needs by not imposing too many restrictions on software

and application installations.

Richard Clarke, ex-cyber security advisor, White House once said, "If you

spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked. What's more, you

deserve to be hacked." Lets analyze this: How much spending does an IT decision

maker do in your organization when it comes to investing in solutions for

information security and data confidentiality? Well, the numbers could be

staggering high, but the fact is that the IT decision makers over a period of

time have realized the importance of a much wanted consolidated solution that

could address their overall concerns and grievances regarding data security.

The technology landscape will grow to become more and more complex.

Organizations need to look for an integrated IT environment which would be less

time consuming and more cost effective. Organizations need to have innovative

security systems for optimum and easy management and seamless integration.

Hopefully, the decision of IT spending on security would be wiser and more

effective in the days to come. Current IT environment might be reasonably well

secured, but is there a business ready security solution that would be able to

provide an end-to-end protection apart from the cost benefit? Any security

vendor to address this issue?

PC Suraj



Source: DQ