FINAL WORD

Views on security network architecture have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic . The use of cloud has accelerated and enabled companies to expand , develop and test new applications in greater numbers , but it has also presented new challenges for security networks and their users . Intelligent CIO Africa ’ s Jessica Abell discusses these challenges with Akamai ’ s Director of Security Technology and Strategy , Richard Meeus , and reveals how businesses can effectively update their security architecture .

Since the pandemic , there has been a shift in perception around traditional security network architecture . While the traditional model was that of a secure perimeter which housed assets and users inside – all protected by technology – the shift to a remote or hybrid workforce means that perimeter no longer exists , and neither does the safety net . In addition , employees are accessing more cloud applications to do their work from wherever they are based .

Attackers are capitalising on this knowledge and are using this new environment to access applications – whether via phishing attacks , injection attacks or through access credentials that they ’ ve been able to harvest .

How has the rise of cloud impacted security approaches ?

Cloud is an excellent enabler for businesses , providing opportunities to quickly expand , develop and test new applications and services far more effectively than with traditional on-prem assets .

However , the new ease of use and the ability to deploy at scale and at pace creates additional pressure on security to keep up . Security can often get

74 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com