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Smart Bundling: A Comprehensive Approach to Cybersecurity

Nicolas Brosky - Fortra
LATAM Managing Director

STORY INLINE POST

Cinthya Alaniz Salazar By Cinthya Alaniz Salazar | Journalist & Industry Analyst - Wed, 02/08/2023 - 11:00

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Q: How did HelpSystems’ transition to Fortra renew the organization's cybersecurity mission?

A: HelpSystems had over 40 years of market experience addressing cybersecurity and automation. Fortra is a different company today after increasing its technology investments to become the holistic partner that our customers need to address their cybersecurity challenges. The name change reflects our organization’s emphasis on being a cybersecurity ally. 

 

Q: Fortra has placed a strong emphasis on the use and adoption of automation. How is this an advantage in cybersecurity?

A: Complexity is one of the main challenges cybersecurity and risk management professionals face. Companies must balance competing security vulnerabilities, including intensified rates of attack, an expanding attack surface and emerging, innovative technologies. These trends are at odds with the growing normalization of remote work and the overwhelming deficit of specialized cybersecurity talent. Furthermore, companies end up relying on multiple security vendors and tools that further complicate digital security efforts. 

Automation is the key to addressing the growing rate of cybersecurity threats being observed. Automation helps us amplify what people can accomplish by taking on the routine, manual tasks, freeing them up to focus on other more important activities. This coupled with the deployment of managed detection and response (MDR), endpoint detection and response (EDR) and incident response technology will also help to alleviate the shortage of skills. 

 

Q: According to Gartner, 75% of organization security and risk managers are pursuing security vendor consolidation. How is this influencing security companies' decision-making? 

A: Fortra has invested in acquiring the best technologies for our solution portfolio. We now offer data and infrastructure security through what we call smart bundles, where we offer two or more solutions that work together to solve a particular problem. We are also working on the integration and management of security solutions into one centralized platform. This strategy allows for minimal operational complexity at the benefit of cybersecurity personnel. Fortra’s smart bundle approach to data security and protection involves automatic classification, loss prevention and management of a company's data throughout its life cycle, from creation to destruction. 

In the field of offensive security, Fortra has three main pillars: vulnerability management, the automation of penetration testing and adversarial simulations. This bundle solution is a reflection of an overdue market need that Fortra  addressed before the market started to move in this direction. 

 

Q: How have Fortra’s 2022 acquisitions influenced its commercial offering?

A: Fortra’s acquisitions during 2022 position us in managed services, which range from the implementation of tools in hybrid environments to expert incident response services. This is in line with Fortra’s goal to accompany clients through specialized services and consulting intelligence for their unique infrastructure and security needs. 

 

Q: How are Mexico’s cybersecurity problems shifting and in response to what stimuli?

A: Mexico and Brazil are leading Latin America in terms of cybersecurity legislation and investment. This move responds to the pronounced growth of cyberattacks, exploits and hacktivism, which have moved away from singularly targeting financial institutions to include any and all private and public industries, such as utility companies and public serving institutions. Moreover, displacing other common methods of attack, cybercriminals have shifted their focus toward nontechnical personnel with phishing attacks for easy entry into organizations with robust security postures. Cyber insurance premiums have increased dramatically in the regions as insurers find it difficult to measure the true risk of exposure.

The overall panorama has motivated governments to accelerate the drafting of cybersecurity legislation despite being behind existing trends. Nevertheless, Mexico seems to be attempting to accelerate efforts to augment its national security posture, as indicated by the country’s bilateral cybersecurity agreement with the US.  

 

Q: How do you anticipate the economic outlook to impact cybersecurity preparedness in 2023?

A: Cybercriminals see the potential economic recession as an opportunity, as they expect companies to downsize their security budgets. This is not the moment for organizations, clients and users to let their guard down because cybercriminals will want to exploit them in their most vulnerable state. Companies should strive to double down on cybersecurity conscientiousness within their organizations, especially if they anticipate spending cuts. Companies should also plan to simulate a cyberattack with their staff to identify existing vulnerabilities before cyber criminals do. 

 

Q: What strategic objectives will be guiding Fortra’s work in Mexico and Latin America?

A: The company’s position is to continue expanding our international reach. As part of that, we recognize the sizable opportunity that Mexico and the wider Latin American region represent. Exemplifying this is the region’s almost triple-digit growth during the past three years, which forced us to grow twofold year-over-year to meet demand. Our main priorities for 2023 are to cement our brand recognition in the region and to continue exploring new technologies to benefit our clients. 

 

 

Fortra, previously HelpSystems, offers leading cybersecurity solutions like data security, infrastructure protection, managed services and threat research and intelligence.

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