NEWS
SHADOW IOT DEVICES A CONCERN FOR CORPORATE NETWORKS: INFOBLOX RESEARCH
Over 80% of enterprises surveyed in UAE said the network security solutions they plan to deploy in the next 2-3 years are cloud-based functions (e.g. CASB, UEBA, Proxy) Infoblox, a leader in Secure Cloud-Managed Network Services, announced new research that exposes the significant threat posed by shadow IoT devices on enterprise networks. The report, titled “What’s Lurking in the Shadows 2020” surveyed 2,650 IT professionals across the US, UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and UAE to understand the state of shadow IoT in modern enterprises. Shadow IT devices are defined as IoT devices or sensors in active use within an organisation without IT’s knowledge. Shadow IoT devices can be any number of connected technologies including laptops, mobile phones, tablets, fitness trackers or smart home gadgets like voice assistants that are managed outside of the IT department. The survey found that over the past 12 months, a staggering 80% of IT professionals discovered shadow IoT devices connected to their network, and nearly one third (29%) found more than 20. The research showed that over 86% of enterprises in UAE have more than 1,000 devices connected to their corporate networks. Nearly a third of enterprises (30%) have between
5,001 – 10,000 connected devices on their corporate network. Nearly 70% of respondents in UAE said that on an average day over 1000 non-business provisioned IoT devices like smart watches, voice assistants, tablets, Fitbits etc. connect to the business network. 92% of enterprises in UAE have a security policy in place for personal IoT devices connected to the corporate network. However only half (50%) of the enterprises surveyed feel their security policy for personal IoT devices is ‘very effective’. 90% of enterprises in UAE have varying degrees of concern about shadow IoT devices lurking on remote or branch locations. Over a third of respondents in the UAE (34%) mirror the security solution at their branches that they deploy centrally at their headquarters. Over a third of respondents in the UAE (35%) said they see OT devices (e.g. HVAC, Video Cameras, MRI machines) as their biggest security concern when it comes to their network security. Over 4 in 5 respondents in the UAE (81%) said the network security solutions they plan to deploy in the next 2-3
Ashraf Sheet
Regional Director MEA, Infoblox
years are cloud-based functions (e.g. CASB, UEBA, Proxy). The global report revealed that, in addition to the devices deployed by the IT team, organisations around the world have countless personal devices, such as personal laptops, mobile phones and fitness trackers, connecting to their network. The majority of enterprises (78%) have more than 1,000 devices connected to their corporate networks. “The amount of shadow IoT devices lurking on networks has reached pandemic proportions, and IT leaders need to act now before the security of their business is seriously compromised,” said Malcolm Murphy, technical director, EMEA at Infoblox.
CYBERKNIGHT LAUNCHES ITS OPERATIONS TO ACCELERATE INCIDENT RESPONSE CAPABILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST
CyberKnight's Art of Cybersecurity Distribution methodology leverages strategic partners to assist enterprise and govt organizations augment their security posture
CyberKnight Technologies hosted an official reception to announce the launch of its operations in the Middle East. The event took place, in the presence of the CyberKnight’s leadership team and over 40 industry stakeholders including Vendors, Channel Partners and local Media Partners. During the reception, CyberKnight’s innovative Art of Cybersecurity Distribution concept, as well as, its Zero Trust Security (ZTX) Framework were unveiled. CyberKnight Technologies, a company founded in 2019, is a cybersecurity value-added-distributor (VAD), headquartered in Dubai, covering the Middle East with on-the-ground presence in Saudi Arabia and all key Middle East markets. The ZTX (Zero Trust Security)
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framework incorporates emerging and market-leading cybersecurity solutions that protect the entire attack surface, by leveraging AI, to help security teams at enterprise and government customers fortify breach detection, accelerate incident response & remediation, while addressing regulatory compliance. Avinash Advani, Founder & CEO at CyberKnight said, “Launching CyberKnight is a commitment to our regional enterprise and government customers that our team will continue to be their trusted advisors to help them defend against today’s cyber threats and adhere to local compliance regulations.” Advani continued, “The vendors that have been on-boarded into our portfolio in such a short period of time are a testament to their belief in our capabilities to become a full extension of their teams on-the-ground, achieve rapid ROI, TTV and market penetration.”
He ended with, “Inspired by the Art of War by Sun Tzu, CyberKnight's Art of Cybersecurity Distribution methodology is a unique, transparent and value-driven approach to addressing existing challenges in the Channel, as well as, partner empowerment. Loyalty to our partners is fundamental to our success and is achieved by our commitment to their differentiation and increased profitability. Vivek Gupta, Co-Founder and COO at CyberKnight added, “CyberKnight has built a best-of-breed team of cybersecurity industry veterans that come with decades of combined experience, deep rooted customer and channel relationships, local experience covering the Middle East, and most importantly the highest levels of expertise, passion and energy. In line with our vision, we strive to change the definition of VAD by keeping our finger on the pulse of innovation and emerging technology”.
