A Critical Look at Cyber Security Investment

The rise of big data, cloud computing, and remote work has fueled the growth of cyber attacks. As more data is accessed from more places than ever before, the complexity of securing digital systems has increased exponentially. The cost of cybercrime is expected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025, meaning organizations can no longer afford to treat cybersecurity as an afterthought. To remain resilient and protect their most valuable assets, companies must invest in robust cybersecurity measures now, before it’s too late.

The Global Cybersecurity Landscape: An Ever-Changing Battlefield

Effective cyber defense requires a multifaceted approach. The dynamic nature of cyber threats means that as soon as one risk is mitigated, another emerges. This perpetual game of whack-a-mole has led to an arms race, with governments and corporations investing hundreds of billions of dollars in building out both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Fragmentation is a natural consequence of this ongoing battle. Cyber attackers are continuously evolving, finding new angles and approaches to bypass defenses. In response, organizations must adopt a layered security strategy, leveraging multiple technologies and practices to create a resilient security posture.

But where should your organization focus its cybersecurity investments? In an environment where most organizations are underfunded and under-resourced, this question is more pressing than ever.

Key Cybersecurity Investment Areas: Where to Focus

To answer this question, we conducted a poll among cybersecurity professionals on LinkedIn. (To eliminate bias, we conducted the poll twice (the second poll), reaching out to two distinct networks of cyber professionals.) 

The poll asked which areas should be prioritized: 

• Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Perimeter security
• Addressing known vulnerabilities
• Or employee education. 

The results were clear: addressing known vulnerabilities was the top priority, garnering 49% of the votes, followed by MFA at 29%, and perimeter security and education each receiving approximately 10%.

This focus on known vulnerabilities makes perfect sense. The NSA and CISA have repeatedly warned that cyber adversaries routinely exploit known vulnerabilities to infiltrate systems. 

High-profile breaches, such as the SolarWinds attack, have demonstrated that sophisticated attackers often leverage known application vulnerabilities as a key part of their arsenal, allowing them to move laterally within networks and elevate privileges.

Yet despite the clear importance of addressing known vulnerabilities, few organizations are able to execute fully on a vulnerability management strategy. Why is this?

The Challenge of Eliminating Known Vulnerabilities

The reality is that eliminating known vulnerabilities is a daunting task. Most organizations operate a vast array of software, much of it legacy code burdened by technical debt. Continuous upgrading of all components might theoretically solve the problem, but in practice, it’s a Herculean effort, especially for large enterprises. 

For instance, a typical North American bank might have over 600 software applications, many of which are older and no longer actively developed. Upgrading them all routinely is simply impractical.

This is where a strategic approach to vulnerability management becomes crucial. Rather than trying to patch every vulnerability, organizations need to focus on the most critical ones, leveraging tools and platforms that can help prioritize and manage this process efficiently.

Why Finite State is the Security Solution You Need

To effectively manage cybersecurity risks and comply with emerging regulations like the EU CRA that demand swift reporting and remediation, organizations need a solution that goes beyond traditional vulnerability management. 

Finite State offers a comprehensive platform designed to help organizations secure their software supply chain, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure compliance with global cybersecurity standards.

With Finite State, you can gain deep visibility into your software components, identify vulnerabilities early, and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk. Our platform’s robust capabilities empower organizations to stay ahead of threats, reduce the attack surface, and build a resilient cybersecurity posture that can withstand the evolving landscape of cyber threats and regulatory demands.

The Time to Act is Now

The stakes have never been higher. As cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication, and as regulatory pressures mount, the time to invest in cybersecurity is now. 

By prioritizing cybersecurity investments and leveraging solutions like Finite State, your organization can protect its assets, ensure compliance, and secure its future in an increasingly digital world.