"C" is the center of Security

After every major breach, there is a wave of information on security technologies which could have prevented it. Conferences have hundreds of companies exhibiting their cool technologies, differentiators and success stories. The research firms publish informative findings, guides, quadrants, waves etc. and most products and solutions are good if implemented and used well. So, in some ways, we have abundance of security controls and technologies. 

We often talk about coming together to fight the bad actors. Industry groups of companies sharing experiences, Government and industry partnerships etc. are examples. These initiatives have been successful to the extent possible considering business and competitive pressures. 

There is a need for collaboration between security vendors to help clients manage risk. Risk managers don’t create a single dimensional posture with dependence on one technology, that goes against the basic principles of risk management. So, naturally the collaboration between security technologies is important.

This collaboration, the “C” in Security, is manifesting itself in three models:

1. The Security Marketplaces: Large platform players have marketplaces (Splunkbase, IBM AppExchange, Cisco etc.) enabling other security products to publish their “apps”. The idea is clients of the platform's can simply download the apps for desired functionality. 
2. The Security API’s: Companies have published API’s, enabling relevant integrations with other technologies. These API’s typically provide information & data which can be ingested for enhancements or actions.
3. The Security Apps: To enhance its functionality and value, companies are creating apps for the marketplaces & integrations to the API's. This provides an excellent platform for niche companies to join the ecosystem, the Digital business of security.

The good news is that these models are not just driven out of the “good to have” need of collaboration, but have the “must have” commercial model and are utilizing the Digital way.

The “C” in Security is here to stay and grow.