Collaboration gaps threaten security, Skybox Security report finds

Skybox Security has published a new report titled "Breaking Down Silos: Confronting the Network-Security Disconnect," which examines the collaboration between network and security teams within organisations.

The report reveals a noticeable disparity between the perceived effectiveness of these teams' collaboration and the actual results.

According to the survey findings, 81% of decision-makers believe their current levels of collaboration are effective, while 82% report successful information-sharing practices. However, despite these formal processes, over a third of respondents noted that miscommunication between network and security teams negatively affected their organisation's security posture to a certain or large extent. Additionally, nearly half of the organisations reported experiencing delays in reporting or addressing security incidents due to miscommunications within the past 12 months.

The report highlights several key findings. Notably, 90% of organisations stated they have formal processes in place for their network and security teams to collaborate on vulnerability and exposure management. This seemingly confident surface-level data belies deeper worries. Despite the implementation of these processes, 55% of respondents expressed moderate or significant concern regarding the risk of security incidents stemming from a lack of collaboration between network and security teams. This concern amplifies at the executive level, with 67% of C-level executives indicating heightened apprehension.

Mordecai Rosen, CEO of Skybox Security, noted, "Within the next 12 months, even the most sophisticated security measures could be overwhelmed by AI-powered attacks. That is why the convergence of security and network operations is no longer a strategic advantage; it's an existential imperative. Organisations must recognise that true collaboration requires more than conversation – it demands a unified approach to network and security management." This statement underscores the necessity of a cohesive strategy to fortify organisational defenses against evolving cyber threats.

The survey responses point to several significant obstacles hindering effective collaboration. Over three-quarters, or 76%, of respondents, believe miscommunication between network and security teams has detrimentally impacted their organisation's security posture. Furthermore, 50% cited incompatible systems and siloed structures as the primary barriers to smooth collaboration. This fragmentation can result in critical oversights and leave significant vulnerabilities unexplored.

There is also a notable intent to improve collaborative practices. Sixty-one percent of respondents expressed an inclination to implement integrated solutions for vulnerability and network security management within the next year, aiming to enhance the synchronisation between the two domains. Among those deeply concerned about the security incidents due to collaborative breakdowns, an overwhelming 92% showed a significant likelihood of adopting such solutions.

Skybox Security's report provides a crucial examination of the miscommunications and human errors persisting among network and security teams, despite the presence of established processes. The findings indicate an urgent need for organisations to bridge the collaboration gap to strengthen their security postures effectively.