Global research from the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) and Palo Alto Networks reveals that organizations are facing growing cybersecurity complexity, managing an average of 83 security solutions from 29 vendors. The study highlights that businesses with a high degree of security platformization are seeing improvements in operational efficiencies and revenue generation.
The study, titled “Capturing the Cybersecurity Dividend: How Security Platforms Generate Business Value,” shows that 52% of executives believe security fragmentation is hindering their ability to handle cyber threats. However, 75% of companies that have adopted platformization agree that integrating security, hybrid cloud, AI, and other technology platforms is critical for future success.
As digital interconnectivity grows, so does the risk of cyberattacks, with businesses facing increasingly sophisticated threats. AI is being utilized by both attackers and defenders, raising the stakes in the race to secure digital environments. According to surveyed executives, security fragmentation and complexity are costing organizations an average of 5% of annual revenue. For a $20 billion company, this translates to $1 billion in losses, factoring in security incidents, lost productivity, stalled digital transformations, and reputational damage.
Mark Hughes, Global Managing Partner for Cybersecurity Services at IBM, stresses that organizations must balance the need for innovation with the challenge of reducing complexity in cybersecurity operations. The research shows that businesses adopting platformized security models are experiencing nearly four times the return on investment (ROI) compared to their fragmented counterparts, leading to greater efficiencies and increased revenue.
The study also reveals that four out of five organizations not using platformized security struggle to handle the volume of cyber threats. In contrast, 80% of platformized organizations report having full visibility into potential vulnerabilities and threats. Additionally, businesses with platformized security have significantly reduced response times, with mean time to identify (MTTI) and mean time to contain (MTTC) security incidents shortened by an average of 72 and 84 days, respectively.
Platformization enables businesses to consolidate multiple security tools into a unified system, improving both security posture and digital transformation efforts. With 90% of surveyed executives planning to scale or innovate with AI in the next two years, integrating AI into security platforms is essential for enhancing defenses and staying ahead of evolving threats.
The research emphasizes that platformization is key to driving business success by aligning technology, security, and innovation. IBM and Palo Alto Networks are collaborating to offer businesses access to leading security platforms, AI capabilities, and digital transformation solutions. Their joint Cyber Range experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts, helps clients test and refine their security strategies, fostering continuous improvement and effective response to cyber threats.
Adopting a platformized approach to cybersecurity can help businesses optimize their security investments, reduce costs, and navigate their digital transformation with confidence, ultimately driving significant business value.