Report: Modern Cyber Demands Modern IT

IT infrastructure modernization is becoming essential for enhancing cybersecurity, yet many organizations are not adequately equipped to meet these demands with their existing systems, according to a recent report.

MeriTalk, in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Microsoft, surveyed 375 IT decision-makers from small, medium, and large organizations to explore how IT modernization is facilitating proactive, comprehensive cybersecurity measures.

Respondents overwhelmingly – 90 percent – indicated that maintaining proactive cyber resilience requires ongoing modernization to effectively counter emerging threats.

One respondent claimed that “modernization is essential to stay on par with others in this industry and keep client and business data safe.” While another respondent claimed that “the more we modernize our infrastructure, the better prepared we are for potential disasters or cyberattacks.”

However, only 30 percent of respondents feel fully equipped to support proactive, end-to-end cybersecurity with their current solutions. According to the report, this gap underscores the pressing need for continued investment in modern IT infrastructure, particularly in agile data center solutions. In fact, 87 percent of respondents identified data center modernization as one of their top priorities.

The report recommends organizations approach cybersecurity as an “enterprise-wide commitment” that encompasses technology, processes, and culture. From an IT infrastructure standpoint, it recommends prioritizing “comprehensive modernization assessments” to uncover vulnerabilities in existing hardware, software, networking, and data management capabilities.

“Invest in consolidated multicloud platforms, cyber-resilient infrastructure reinforced with built-in encryption and secure supply chains, and unified security ecosystems powered by [artificial intelligence and machine learning] for advanced threat detection and response,” the report reads.

Additionally, respondents identified the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies as a key differentiator in achieving a proactive, end-to-end security posture.

“By capitalizing on AI’s ability to ingest and analyze massive data sets, organizations can accelerate threat awareness and mitigation compared to manual methods alone,” the report says.

A notable 86 percent of respondents indicated that they have begun integrating AI into their cybersecurity practices, with advanced malware detection, real-time threat detection, and data loss prevention among the top use cases.

The report recommends that organizations “implement automated security response solutions to quickly contain threats, minimize dwell time, and alleviate the workload on cybersecurity staff.” It also suggests automating processes like software patching, configuration management, and vulnerability scanning to continually strengthen their security posture.

To view the full results, download the report.