Tech Interviews

Enterprise security strategies

Published

8 years ago

July 17, 2018

admin

Evolving cyber threats are making enterprises more vulnerable to business losses and operational disruptions. To boost cyber resilience, enterprises need robust security strategies to protect their businesses. Rashmi Knowles, Field CTO EMEA for RSA Security, tells The Integrator how enterprises can build a holistic cyber strategy that works.

1. Why do enterprises need a holistic approach to cyber security?

Worldwide security spending on information security products and services is expected to grow to $93 billion in 2018, according to the latest forecast from Gartner. Despite this level of spending, we have seen nearly 2,000 data breaches and nearly two billion personal records stolen. Security technology alone cannot solve the risks to our business. Siloed security and business functions result in poor visibility and communication with each function only focusing on their priorities. Connecting a security incident to a business context should be the ultimate goal of all organizations so security teams and the business need to close what RSA call the ‘The Gap of Grief’.

A number of forces make the Gap of Grief more treacherous:

Modernization – Quickening pace of digital transformation
Malice – Increasingly hazardous threat landscape
Mandates – Industry and government forcing the issue

The demands of interoperability and availability, along with consumers’ and organizations’ appetites for modernization and innovation, can present constant challenges. The stealth persistence and resourcefulness of malicious actors only seem to be increasing. On top of that, new and more stringent mandates continue to raise the bar for compliance and digital risk strategies.

2. What are some of these solutions that can ensure cyber security for the enterprises?

The combined pressures of modernization, malice, and mandates are spurring a new way of thinking about security strategy, marked by a convergence of security and business risk in the enterprise. Some organizations are starting to develop security strategies in collaboration with the broader IT, fraud, risk and business functions, seeking to inform security with relevant, context-specific information about what the business values most. Organizations looking to adopt such a business-driven security strategy should focus on four pillars to assure success:

Full Visibility

The security team must be able to see across all digital channels. Only with visibility from the endpoint to the cloud, with detailed analytics, can organizations identify and correlate security and business risks across the whole environment.

Rapid Insight

Faster insight through better analytics is paramount. The modern business environment has a plethora of business and security tools and the more time needed to interpret an event or incident, the greater the risk.

Comprehensive Response

Security teams today take their finding from security tools and remediate in a way that is not scalable. The most effective way to turn insights into action is to orchestrate and automate the response. For example, when security spots a user acting suspiciously through a deviation on a baseline, they can enable the identity plane to take actions stepping up authentication to ensure confidence that the user is legitimate.

Business Context

Security and fraud teams can’t rely on what they see in their own environments. Contextual intelligence facilitates faster and better decisions for the business. For security teams understanding business context – such as the criticality of an asset can help prioritize work and determine urgency when managing incidents.

To deliver these capabilities requires a comprehensive threat detection platform like an advanced SIEM to provide complete end-to-end visibility, automated behavior analytics, and machine learning to find both known and unknown threats and provide enriched data with business context and threat intelligence.

Identity is replacing perimeter as the primary defensive frontline. Every transaction begins with some form of identity – a machine or a user, therefore a comprehensive identity and access management (IAM) platform is mandatory as a key building block. Today’s IAM platforms must provide complete flexibility for the user and insight to the business to manage identities.

And finally, a comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) platform provides the glue to connect a security incident to a business context to determine the severity of the incident. For example, if a security team detected unusual activity on a file server and had to make the decision to shut the server down, then most organizations lack the insight to determine what business process runs on the server and any other systems that could be impacted by the action. Criticality of the business process and data also need to be determined.

3.What will be the key drivers for holistic cyber security solutions?

Three key factors will drive the demand for holistic cyber security solutions – Modernisation, Malice and Mandates. As mentioned above, the stealth persistence and resourcefulness of malicious actors only seem to be increasing. On top of that, new and more stringent mandates continue to raise the bar for compliance and digital risk strategies. Hence, organizations need to adopt a holistic cybersecurity approach – one which connects a security incident to a business context and result in high visibility and rapid response.

4. What impact will GDPR have on cyber security and the solutions thus created?

GDPR is based on best practices for cybersecurity; and connecting a security incident to a business risk becomes even more important in GDPR. Organizations that are already using industry standards like NIST and have adopted a business-driven security strategy will lead in the fight to protect their organizations.

5. Will these solutions make it easier for enterprises to continually assess security threats and take steps to mitigate them?

Adopting any security strategy must have the goal of constantly improving the capability model so that all the lessons learnt from an attack are fed back into a cyclical process. The steps of Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover must constantly be updated and refreshed with the latest learnings.

Related Topics:enterprise RSA securtity strategies

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Tech Interviews

NETWORKS MUST EVOLVE BEFORE AI CAN SCALE

Published

3 hours ago

June 24, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Rohit Chowdhary, Head of Advanced Consulting Services at Nokia, sat down with The Integrator to share insights into the company’s vision for enabling the AI Supercycle. He outlined how Nokia’s end-to-end portfolio spans everything from AI-ready connectivity and energy-efficient 800G data centre networking to intelligent, self-optimising home Wi-Fi experiences powered by AI.

A key focus of the discussion was Nokia’s shift from strategic advisory to real-world execution through its dedicated Automation Excellence Practice, helping operators translate ambitious transformation roadmaps into measurable outcomes. The conversation also highlighted the growing importance of integrated, intelligent and secure networks that can support rising AI workloads, eliminate infrastructure bottlenecks and unlock tangible business value, while maintaining the highest standards of security, privacy and resilience

Could you begin by telling us about your role at Nokia and the journey that brought you here?

I lead Nokia’s Advanced Consulting Services business across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. My journey with Nokia spans nearly seventeen years, beginning at a time when consulting was largely focused on network transformation initiatives. Over the years, I have worked closely with operators around the world on transformation programmes, analytics adoption, customer experience management and digital modernization.

As the industry evolved, so did our consulting focus. Following the Nokia and Alcatel Lucent merger, we established what is today known as Advanced Consulting Services. The organization now spans several domains, including Security, Business monetization, Cloud and Technology transformation, Autonomous Networks, and Data & AI.

More recently, we launched an Automation Excellence Practice. The idea was simple. Customers often appreciated our strategic blueprints but needed practical expertise to implement them. Today, we have specialized engineers who combine telecom expertise, AI capabilities and software development skills to turn strategic visions into real automation pipelines, AI-driven workflows and production-ready use cases. Our role is to help customers move from concept to measurable business outcomes.

Nokia is often associated with connectivity, but the company is increasingly talking about AI readiness. How does Nokia’s infrastructure portfolio support this transition?

AI is creating what we describe as an AI Supercycle. It is transforming everything from data centres and cloud infrastructure to network architectures and edge computing. Supporting this shift requires a complete ecosystem rather than isolated technologies.

Nokia’s portfolio addresses this across multiple layers. On the network side, we continue to innovate in radio technologies, including AI-RAN capabilities developed alongside strategic partners such as Nvidia. We also have a strong optical networking and IP portfolio that enables the high-capacity connectivity required between data centres, edge locations and cloud environments.

One area that excites me is our innovation in data centre networking. We are introducing highly efficient coherent optical technologies and advanced switching platforms that significantly reduce infrastructure footprints while improving performance and energy efficiency. These innovations are becoming increasingly important as organizations invest in AI factories, AI grids and large-scale inference environments.

Beyond connectivity, we also provide intelligent automation layers through our Autonomous Networks platforms, enabling operators to manage complex, multi-vendor environments more efficiently and intelligently.

What are some of the biggest infrastructure bottlenecks you see operators and enterprises facing as AI adoption accelerates?

One of the biggest challenges is understanding that AI infrastructure is not just about compute power. Organizations often focus heavily on GPUs and processing capabilities, but connectivity can quickly become the limiting factor.

You can deploy the most powerful AI infrastructure available, but if the network cannot support the required data movement between racks, data centres and edge locations, performance suffers. This is where intelligent networking becomes critical.

At Nokia, we are helping customers design what we call AI-ready connectivity. This includes high-capacity optical networking, intelligent routing and the seamless interconnection of compute environments. As AI workloads become increasingly distributed, the ability to move data efficiently becomes just as important as the ability to process it.

On the consumer side, Nokia has been showcasing AI-driven Wi-Fi management capabilities. How does this improve the end-user experience?

The home network has become far more complex than it was a few years ago. Consumers expect flawless connectivity across multiple devices, applications and services.

Our AI-enabled Wi-Fi solutions continuously monitor network performance and user experience. They can identify coverage gaps, detect congestion, analyze interference patterns and even recommend or automatically implement corrective actions.

The goal is to create a self-optimizing network environment where many issues can be resolved autonomously before they impact the user. This reduces support requirements for service providers while delivering a more consistent and reliable experience for customers.

The Middle East is witnessing an unprecedented surge in data centre investments. How do you see this shaping Nokia’s opportunities in the region?

The Middle East has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets globally for AI infrastructure investments. Governments and enterprises are actively investing in sovereign AI capabilities, advanced data centres and digital ecosystems.

This creates significant opportunities, not only for Nokia but for the broader technology industry. The success of these initiatives depends on having secure, scalable and efficient connectivity between compute resources, cloud environments and end users.

Our role is to help customers build these foundations. Whether it is data centre interconnectivity, optical networking, intelligent routing or autonomous operations, Nokia’s technologies are designed to support the scale and performance requirements of AI-driven economies.

As data volumes continue to grow, security and data sovereignty are becoming increasingly important. How is Nokia addressing these concerns?

Security is deeply embedded into Nokia’s strategy and innovation roadmap. As a European technology company, trust, resilience and security have always been fundamental principles in how we design and operate our solutions.

While we continue to invest heavily in AI innovation, we are equally focused on strengthening security capabilities across our portfolio. This includes advanced network security architectures, AI-driven threat detection and preparations for future technologies such as quantum-safe networking.

We are actively engaged with industry bodies, standards organizations and ecosystem partners to help define the next generation of secure digital infrastructure. As AI becomes increasingly pervasive, security must evolve alongside it, and that is an area where Nokia continues to invest significantly.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of AI-driven networks?

What excites me most is the convergence of AI, automation and connectivity. Networks are evolving from passive transport layers into intelligent platforms that can learn, adapt and optimize themselves.

The future will be defined by autonomous operations, AI-native networks and real-time decision-making at scale. Organizations that successfully combine these capabilities will unlock entirely new business models and levels of operational efficiency.

For us, the opportunity is not just about deploying technology. It is about helping customers transform the way they operate, innovate and create value in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Tech Interviews

Securing the Future of Enterprise AI: WSO2’s Middle East Strategy

Published

1 day ago

June 23, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Exclusive interview with Uday Shankar Khizepat – Vice President and General Manager for ME

How is WSO2 sailing through in the region amidst the uncertainty?

The Middle East continues to be one of the most dynamic technology markets globally. While there is uncertainty in the broader geopolitical and economic environment, we see that organizations across the region remain committed to their digital transformation programs and continue to invest in the areas of API modernization, application integration, Identity and access management, data connectivity, cloud transformation and AI enablement. This is because digitization is now a business necessity rather than a discretionary investment.

For WSO2, this has translated into continued demand for solutions that help enterprises modernize systems, securely manage digital identities, integrate increasingly complex technology landscapes, and adopt AI responsibly. We are seeing particularly strong interest from government, financial services, telecommunications, and energy sectors, where organizations are focused on improving operational agility while maintaining security, compliance, and resilience.

Any new products / solutions that have been introduced for the region?

One of the most significant developments for us is our vision for the Agentic Enterprise and the introduction of WSO2’s Agentic Enterprise Fabric. Rather than treating AI as a standalone capability or bolt-on feature, we have embedded AI capabilities into the very fabric of our platform.

The Agentic Enterprise Fabric enables organizations to securely connect data, APIs, applications, identities, and AI agents across the enterprise. This creates a foundation where intelligent agents can operate with the right context, governance, and security controls while delivering measurable business outcomes.

The WSO2 Agent Manager is an open platform for the full life-cycle of enterprise grade AI agents. The WSO2 AI gateway helps in governance by monitoring the usage, applying guardrails, optimizing costs & exposing APIs as MCP tools so that AI agents can safely interact. The WSO2 agent ID helps to register, authenticate, authorize and audit AI agents as first class identities.

This approach is resonating strongly in the Middle East, where organizations are moving beyond AI experimentation and looking for scalable, enterprise-grade AI implementations that can be governed and integrated into existing business processes.

What are the key solutions that have kept WSO2 ahead of its other competitors in the region?

Our differentiation comes from helping customers address key critical challenges simultaneously: APIs, integration, identity, and AI adoption.

Our API management platform helps companies ship, govern and monetize APIs, AI and MCP across any gateway or any cloud. Our integration capabilities enable organizations to connect legacy and modern systems quickly, helping accelerate digital initiatives. Our identity and access management solutions provide the security and trust layer needed for large-scale digital services. Last but not the least, our Agentic Enterprise Fabric brings AI into the core of the enterprise architecture rather than layering it on top as an afterthought.

All of this combined with our open-source heritage, flexible deployment options, and ability to support sovereign cloud and hybrid environments, gives customers the freedom to innovate with zero lock-in. This flexibility is critical in the Middle East region, where organizations increasingly prioritize digital sovereignty, data control, and long-term technology independence.

What are your plans for the coming few months in the region?

Our commitment to the growth and development of the Middle East region remains. We have just completed registering our office in KSA which reiterates our focus on deepening our engagement with customers and partners across the GCC and wider Middle East. We are investing in helping organizations move from AI pilots to production-ready deployments, while continuing to support large-scale modernization and digital transformation initiatives.

We also plan to strengthen our partner ecosystem, expand our presence in key markets, and work more closely with organizations pursuing digital sovereignty initiatives. As governments and enterprises accelerate their AI and digital agendas, we see significant opportunities to help them build secure, connected, and intelligent digital platforms for the future.

What’s your anticipated growth for the digital / tech sector in the coming few years?

The outlook remains very positive and we are optimistic. Over the next three to five years, I believe the region will move from digital transformation to intelligent transformation, where AI becomes embedded in core business operations rather than existing as isolated applications. Organizations that successfully combine AI with strong integration, identity, governance, and data foundations will be best positioned to create sustainable competitive advantages.

This shift will create significant opportunities for technology providers, system integrators, and enterprises alike.