The cybersecurity landscape is facing a critical juncture as global CISOs grapple with escalating threats and constrained budgets. According to the latest Gigamon report, “CISO Insights: Closing the Cybersecurity Preparedness Gap,” CISOs are finding themselves increasingly overwhelmed by their inability to detect breaches and secure hybrid cloud environments. The report reveals alarming data from a survey of 234 CISOs across Australia, Europe, and the U.S., painting a picture of blind spots and strained resources that must be addressed in the upcoming year.
Australia Faces Rising Threats and Stricter Regulations
In Australia, where cyberattacks have spiked, 39% of security teams admitted they were unable to detect a breach with their current tools. Additionally, 71% believe that the Australian government will mandate Zero Trust architecture within the next two years, pushing security leaders to bolster their defences. With 92% agreeing that visibility into encrypted traffic is vital, it’s clear that cybersecurity strategies need to shift.
The Visibility Imperative for Securing Hybrid Clouds
One of the key findings in the Gigamon report is that 81% of CISOs worldwide agree that gaining visibility into all data-in-motion is essential to securing hybrid cloud environments. Blind spots in lateral (East-West) traffic and encrypted data are particularly vulnerable, with 93% of malware hiding in encrypted channels. In response, 84% of CISOs have prioritised visibility into encrypted traffic as a top concern.
Consolidating Security Tools to Optimise Investments
Over the past few years, many organisations have accumulated sprawling tool stacks, creating complexity and inefficiency. This has put additional pressure on CISOs, with 76% reporting they feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of threats detected by numerous tools. To streamline operations, 60% are now prioritising the consolidation and optimisation of their existing security investments. Simplifying their toolset will be key in addressing blind spots and managing costs as organisations move into 2025.
AI: Both a Threat and a Solution
AI is quickly becoming a double-edged sword for security teams. While it presents a significant new threat—83% of CISOs expect AI-powered attacks to rise next year—many security leaders are turning to AI to bolster their defences. Nearly half of the respondents (46%) plan to integrate AI-driven security automation to fill visibility gaps and improve response times. In Australia, that number jumps to 51%, reflecting a growing focus on leveraging AI as a countermeasure.
Deep Observability: The Future of Cloud Security
As the complexity of hybrid cloud infrastructure grows, deep observability—the ability to gain real-time, granular insights into network traffic—has emerged as a fundamental security pillar. The Gigamon report highlights that 82% of CISOs view deep observability as crucial to maintaining a secure environment. Packet-level data and rich application metadata allow teams to quickly detect and respond to threats in real-time, strengthening their overall security posture. Notably, 81% of CISOs say their boards are discussing deep observability as a priority for 2025 budget planning.
Looking Ahead
As the cybersecurity landscape becomes increasingly complex, CISOs are under mounting pressure to close the gaps in their defences. Gaining visibility into all data-in-motion, optimising tool stacks, and leveraging AI are top priorities as organisations prepare for a more turbulent future. Deep observability, in particular, is poised to play a pivotal role in securing cloud infrastructure moving forward, with boards and security leaders aligning on its importance.
For a deeper dive into the report findings, visit Gigamon’s 2024 Hybrid Cloud Security Survey.
