IT security pushed to the limit: Why complexity can become a risk – and what really helps

Fragmented tool landscape

IT infrastructures that have evolved over time often rely on numerous ‘best-of-breed’ solutions: firewalls from different manufacturers, stand-alone solutions for endpoint protection, email security, and specialist monitoring tools. These siloed structures make integration difficult, reduce transparency and create blind spots.

Skills shortage

According to Bitkom, there is currently a shortage of more than 100,000 skilled workers in the IT sector in Germany alone. This gap makes it difficult to provide qualified support and further develop security infrastructures – particularly when these are unnecessarily complex and confusing.

Regulatory requirements

New and expanded regulations such as the NIS2 Directive, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), the EU GDPR and industry-specific standards require adjustments to technical and organisational measures – often at considerable cost in terms of time and resources.

Growing attack surface

Remote working, cloud transformation and the integration of IoT devices significantly expand the attack surface. The concept of a clearly defined IT perimeter is outdated; protection mechanisms must shift to dynamic, hybrid infrastructures.

Security vulnerabilities:

Inadequate integration and a lack of visibility within the IT infrastructure can result in security updates or patches not being installed on all devices, creating potential security vulnerabilities.

Delays in response:

The fragmentation of alerts and the presence of redundant data make it difficult to quickly detect and prioritise security incidents. This can result in critical threats being overlooked and response times being prolonged.

Cost pressures:

Using a large number of poorly coordinated security tools can unnecessarily drive up licensing and operating costs. This puts a strain on the IT budget and can compromise the effectiveness of security measures.

Staff overload:

Managing heterogeneous systems requires a significant administrative effort, which can lead to frustration and increased error rates, particularly when staff numbers are limited. This undermines the effectiveness of security measures and increases the risk of security incidents.

1) Consolidation of security tools

Opt for integrated platforms rather than standalone products. Unified security solutions combine multiple layers of protection (network, endpoint, cloud and email security) within a coordinated infrastructure. This improves visibility, reduces interface issues and enhances attack detection.

2) Centralised Monitoring & Automation

A consolidated, centralised monitoring solution is essential for responding to threats in real time and maintaining a comprehensive overview. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) enables alerts to be prioritised, automated workflows to be set up, and incidents to be contained more quickly.

3) Use of external partner and managed security services

Particularly in the face of a skills shortage, it is advisable to outsource security tasks to certified managed security service providers (MSSPs). These providers bring specialist expertise to the table and take the pressure off your teams. You benefit from 24/7 monitoring, escalation management and best practices gained from numerous projects.

4) Clear processes and awareness initiatives

Reducing structural complexity can only be achieved through clear lines of responsibility, standardised processes and targeted training. Security awareness programmes and regular phishing drills (e.g. Securepoint Awareness Next) raise staff awareness and strengthen the security culture.

For IT departments in large companies, the key to success lies in consistently simplifying their security landscape. Key areas of focus include the consolidation of technical solutions, centralised management, automation and the incorporation of external expertise. Only in this way can risks be minimised, resources utilised effectively and a future-proof, resilient security architecture established.