IT security protects the integrity of information technologies like computer systems, networks, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. Cybersecurity protects the integrity of electronic information, with a focus on protecting against unauthorized internet access. Traditionally IT security was focused on fortifying, maintaining, and policing the datacenter perimeter—but today that perimeter is dissolving. The way we develop, deploy, and manage IT is dramatically changing. Public and hybrid clouds are redistributing responsibility for regulatory compliance and security across multiple vendors. The adoption of containers at scale requires new methods of analyzing, securing, and updating the delivery of applications. Mobile apps are spread across a multitude of devices, and more and more infrastructure is moving from hardware to software. The traditional ways of managing security aren’t keeping up. Digital transformation demands a change in security programs—security must be continuous, integrated, and flexible in a digital world.

Continuous security

Continuous security is built-in. A business trying to compete in a world of digital transformation needs to understand how to adopt security solutions that begin with design. This is what it means to “shift security left”—to make security a part of the infrastructure and product life cycle as early as possible. This helps security be both proactive and reactive.

Continuous security is fed by a routine system of feedback and adaptation, often handled through the use of automatic checkpoints. Automation ensures fast and effective feedback that doesn’t slow the product life cycle down. Integrating security in this way also means that updates and responses can be implemented quickly and holistically as the security landscape changes.

Digital transformation often makes IT feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. Your business needs to cut costs and innovate to remain competitive, but you also need to maintain ever-evolving security and regulatory compliance across an increasingly distributed and complex technological landscape. You need a security program that includes continuous monitoring so you always know what’s happening, and a clear response plan to calmly and efficiently handle surprises when they do happen.

Continuous security that uses automated remediation gets stuff fixed, quickly. Having security integrated early and automated in every step of the process also means that you have audit trails of changes that have been balanced between business goals and risk management. Adopt new technologies in a more mindful manner, and have security experts help you integrate them into your existing business structure as easily and effectively as possible.

Continuous security requires change. It will lead to a more thoughtful integration of security, which will requires resources or, in some cases, the creation of new leadership roles (like the BISO). But the choice between traditional manual checklists of security controls and integrated, continuous models is quickly disappearing—as long as the technological landscape is dissolving the data perimeter, security needs to change.