Sophos, in partnership with Tech Research Asia, has released a Cybersecurity Playbook for Partners focusing on priorities like financial cybersecurity, risk management, and AI-augmented threats in Asia Pacific and Japan. The report underscores the rising demand for managed security services and the need for enhanced cybersecurity capabilities amidst evolving digital landscapes.
2 October 2024 – Sophos, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, has unveiled its comprehensive Cybersecurity Playbook for Partners in collaboration with Tech Research Asia. This strategic initiative aims to provide deep insights into the evolving cybersecurity landscape in Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ), highlighting key priorities for businesses and outlining opportunities for partners to support these strategic imperatives.
Cameron Reid, Director of Channel Sales MSP at Sophos Asia Pacific and Japan, emphasized the increasing urgency for organizations to bolster their cybersecurity measures amidst persistent and evolving cyber threats. The playbook identifies three critical areas of focus for businesses over the next 12 months: strengthening cybersecurity posture around financial operations, enhancing risk management capabilities, and ensuring robust cybersecurity measures to support digital transformation initiatives securely.
According to the report, Malaysian businesses stand out in the APJ region for their proactive adoption of cloud security measures, reflecting a robust commitment to secure digital transformation. As organizations embrace advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), concerns about corresponding AI-augmented cyber threats have become prominent. The report highlights that over 70% of organizations in Malaysia perceive AI-augmented cyberattacks as their most pressing cybersecurity concern.
A notable finding from the research is the disparity in AI readiness among APJ organizations, with less than half (45%) feeling adequately equipped to handle AI threats. Moreover, only 22% have implemented a comprehensive AI and automation strategy. To bridge these skill gaps, 45% of organizations are turning to external partners to provide expertise, while 49% plan to invest in internal training and development supported by partner-led education initiatives.
The demand for managed security services (MSS) remains robust, with 83% of APJ organizations anticipating an increase in their cybersecurity budgets over the next year. Half of these organizations intend to allocate more resources towards third-party managed security services to consolidate and enhance their technological frameworks, strengthen security capabilities, and alleviate in-house operational pressures.
Key areas where organizations plan to allocate increased budgets include infrastructure and network security (62%), threat detection and response (61%), application security (56%), identity access management (53%), and incident response and recovery (50%). This strategic investment underscores a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive cybersecurity measures across various domains.
The report also reveals insights into organizational preferences regarding cybersecurity vendors, with only 20% of surveyed organizations relying on a single vendor for their cybersecurity needs. The majority (33%) opt for multi-vendor environments to achieve flexibility and tailored solutions from partners.
Additionally, organizations prioritize partnering with vendors that demonstrate strong security credentials. Nearly 60% of respondents indicated reluctance to engage with partners that have experienced security breaches. For those willing to engage with breached partners, 81% emphasize additional performance clauses and specific service level agreements to mitigate risks effectively.
Cameron Reid further emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration and innovation in addressing evolving adversarial behaviors in cybersecurity. He highlighted the critical role of managed service providers (MSPs) in helping organizations build and maintain robust cyber resilience. By leveraging their technical expertise, knowledge of the threat landscape, and capabilities in delivering secure solutions, MSPs can support organizations in safeguarding their operations while focusing on business growth.
