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Looking at cybersecurity initiatives in 2016 and 2017
This week, bloggers explore cybersecurity initiatives, Google Compute Engine and new Versa SD-WAN options.
Jon Oltsik, an analyst with Enterprise Strategy Group in Milford, Mass., examined cybersecurity initiatives and trends in 2016 and how they might apply in the new year.
Oltsik projected growth in cloud security, endpoint security, security analytics, operations integration and data discovery. ESG and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) interviewed 437 cybersecurity professionals about what cybersecurity initiatives their companies have taken.
Among respondents, 49% indicated their organization launched one or more new cybersecurity initiatives in the past year, including new endpoint security and better cloud security. Organizations increased cybersecurity funding in 39% of cases, and professionals implemented new access controls at the same rate. Respondents said 41% of ISSA member organizations increased their security controls, and 40% increased their cybersecurity staff, as well.
Explore more of Oltsik's thoughts on 2017 cybersecurity initiatives.
Is Google Compute Engine to be trusted?
Keith Townsend, blogging for The CTO Advisor, said he sees the transition to Cloud services as an "arduous journey." As Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco and VMware have announced substantial changes to their cloud strategies, Townsend said he finds himself increasingly distrustful of Google for enterprise cloud.
Both HPE and Cisco have retreated from their initial cloud offerings, while VMware has shifted to an Amazon Web Services partnership. Townsend said these traditionally reliable network providers have "consistently fumbled on cloud strategies." He added that IBM and Microsoft may be the exception to the rule.
Townsend said he still views Google Compute Engine as "an experiment," because of Google's traditional focus on advertising business. "Alphabet sees the service as something that needs incubating inside of the Google business unit. As an enterprise customer, that scares me. I've just witnessed the likes of HPE, VMware and Cisco fumble on enterprise cloud," Townsend said. "Enterprise IT is still a moonshot within Google," he added.
Dig deeper into Townsend's thoughts on Google Compute Engine.
Versa Networks partners with Tata for SD-WAN service
Drew Conry-Murray, writing in Packet Pushers, discussed the new SD-WAN platform backed by Versa Networks and India's Tata Communications. The service, called IZO SDWAN, was initially launched in India, but will become available for the U.S. market in 2017. The service is a blend of hardware deployed in branch offices, structured around Intel servers running Versa software. Like other SD-WAN options, the service lets users mix and match Long Term Evolution, MPLS and broadband, as well as set policies based on application needs.
According to Versa, its new product can support up to 2,600 applications, with next-generation firewall capability. Customers are given the option to filter traffic through hub sites for additional security services that include antivirus and intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems. Branch devices can be managed remotely through a central controller hosted in Tata data centers. Conry-Murray said he sees Versa's recent move as being part of a larger trend by Telcos and service providers to add SD-WAN to their portfolio of offerings.
Read more of Conry-Murray's thoughts on Versa and Tata.
