Leveraging your network to fortify cybersecurity

Enterprise CIOs and CISOs face a constant barrage of challenges, often leaving them little choice but to rely on best-of-breed products to shore up their organization’s cybersecurity posture. In today’s fast-changing threat landscape, however, that can be a dangerous gamble.

Whether you’re trying to modernize your IT, lower your operating costs or improve cybersecurity, how you build your network is often the determining factor in whether you succeed or fail.

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A new FedScoop special report, sponsored by Cisco, explores how taking advantage of modern, sensor-aware servers, switches, routers and security devices not only enables a holistic cybersecurity strategy, but also lowers operating costs and improves performance.

Realizing the potential modernization and cybersecurity improvements promised by the passage of the Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act calls for agencies and commercial enterprises alike to recognize that the key place to start is with the network.

Strategically enabling the security features of existing switches and routers and replacing the older ones with new, smart, intuitive versions immediately multiplies security, speed and efficiency, making other steps in modernization easier. Taking an integrated architectural approach can ensure your network is better prepared for the future.

The challenge for many CIOs, however, is determining what features and functionality in networking products, such as switches, are essential when budget resources are tighter than ever.  Another challenge is determining what minimum specifications commercial sector and government decision makers should accept when looking to upgrade their networks.

The tech brief provides several core questions CIOs and executive teams should ask when considering new investments, and it outlines a five-step plan for modernizing and securing your existing networks.

It also highlights how Cisco’s Digital Network Architecture (DNA) gathers information from a constellation of devices and device types, making it possible to identify otherwise invisible threats and automate security responses. The architecture builds on a BDA strategy — Before, During and After an attack — and helps automate processes to defend against them, according to Peter Romness, Cisco cybersecurity solutions lead for U.S. Public Sector.

The tech brief provides additional information on Cloudlock, a multi-mode, cloud-native Cloud Access Security Broker that helps organizations, including federal agencies, securely leverage the cloud for apps they buy and build.

Download the special report, “Leveraging your network to fortify cybersecurity,” for more on how modern, sensor-aware servers, switches, routers and security devices can more fully support a holistic cybersecurity strategy.

This article was produced by FedScoop for, and sponsored by, Cisco.