On the surface, it appears that IT professionals in these organizations have diligently fortified their IT infrastructures with a comprehensive arsenal of cybersecurity and data protection technologies. These are essential in safeguarding their data, applications, and systems against an array of threats, whether accidental or malicious. However, the reality might not be as reassuring as it seems.

Recent research from Acronis highlights that malware, particularly ransomware, remains a top menace to businesses. Despite the widespread adoption of security solutions and ongoing efforts in awareness training and patch management, approximately one out of every 10 threats successfully reaches the endpoint. This begs the question: Why does cybercrime persist despite significant investments in these necessary solutions?

Unfortunately, part of the answer lies in the unintended consequences of assembling a complex mosaic of data protection and cybersecurity solutions to fortify IT defenses.

Cybercriminals Exploit the Gaps in Patchwork IT Defenses

By constructing intricate, patchwork defenses comprised of various data protection and cybersecurity solutions, IT professionals inadvertently create challenges for management and compromise the overall security of their organizations.

"Candid Wüest, Acronis VP of Cyber Protection Research, notes, 'Threat actors are increasingly expanding their targets, while organizations are held back by the growing complexity of IT infrastructure. Only a small number of companies have taken the time to modernize their IT stack with integrated data protection and cybersecurity. The threat landscape will continue to grow, and increased integration and automation are the only paths to greater security, lower costs, improved efficiency, and reduced risks.'"

To illustrate this point further, here are three compelling reasons why IT professionals in organizations of all sizes, from SMBs to enterprises, should consider embracing an integrated cyber protection approach:

1. Cost Savings through Integration: Streamlining IT solutions and consolidating vendor relationships can yield substantial cost savings both upfront and over time. According to a study by Vanson Bourne, Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can save nearly $230,000 by consolidating their cybersecurity, backup, and disaster recovery solutions. While the figures may vary for organizations managing their own IT infrastructure, the principle remains the same. Replacing disparate solutions and vendor relationships with an integrated platform reduces overhead costs, deployment times, and the training burden on IT teams.

2. Mitigating Human Error: An alarming 88% of data breach incidents are attributed to human error, as reported by a 2020 study from Stanford University. Cybercriminals are keenly aware of this vulnerability and exploit it through tactics like phishing. The number of email-based attacks has surged by 464% in the first half of 2023 compared to the previous year. A streamlined IT infrastructure plays a pivotal role in reducing human error. Simplifying the IT environment minimizes the risk of mistakes and enhances productivity, allowing IT teams to focus on providing support rather than wrestling with complex tools.

3. Comprehensive Cybersecurity: A common issue with traditional data protection and cybersecurity approaches is the lack of synergy and communication between disparate solutions. This exposes organizations to unprotected attack surfaces and the threat of recurring malware attacks. With Acronis Cyber Protect, for example, organizations can rest assured that their entire infrastructure is shielded. In the event of an attack, backup scanning ensures rapid, secure recovery, while forensic capabilities help identify and rectify the vulnerabilities that led to the incident.

Patrick Hurley, Vice President and General Manager for the Americas at Acronis, sums it up: "This is the core of cyber protection, where we talk about combining all these different capabilities. It's backup, disaster recovery, anti-malware, antivirus, ransomware protection, and protection management—all these security tools, unified in one solution. When there is an event, and there will be events, you have all these components working seamlessly together."