Is Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture Really Needed?

Cybercriminals are relentless, attacking and stealing data from a wide variety of companies. Not only can the fallout from a cyberattack come with a high cost, but it can also inflict irreparable damage on a company's reputation and decrease its market factor. More robust security measures, such as a cybersecurity mesh architecture, are needed to combat this growing threat. 

What Is Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture?

Cybersecurity mesh architecture (CSMA) is a method of cybersecurity that is gaining popularity as a top technology trend. CSMA allows security programs to operate together in a cooperative manner rather than on their own. This can increase the efficiency of your cybersecurity by creating a "mesh" where programs work together to identify different kinds of threats.

This modular approach is what makes cybersecurity mesh architecture so effective. Instead of security programs only covering the vulnerabilities they specialize in, CSMA takes a more centralized approach.

Why Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture Is Needed

Cybersecurity mesh architecture is superior to conventional cybersecurity programs in many ways. Cyberattacks have become increasingly sophisticated, attacking vulnerabilities in computer systems that individual security programs might not catch due to their specialization. 

Complicating this is that many companies and organizations have employees that work from home. Employees that work from home might have to use their personal devices for work — with security programs that vary in effectiveness. That means employees who work from home are at a greater risk of being attacked and losing company data.

As cloud storage and computing become more common, companies might use cloud services to store their confidential data. Security for cloud services is typically handled by the parent company and using multiple cloud services means the quality of cloud security might vary greatly depending on the service provider.

Under a mesh architecture, cybersecurity programs across multiple systems can be programmed to work together and close potential vulnerabilities. This mesh architecture can encompass various security protocols across numerous sectors. 

Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture Technology

While cybersecurity mesh architecture is still an emerging concept, creating a mesh network using decentralized technologies such as blockchain and swarm-AI is possible. Some cybersecurity companies are already experimenting with these applications. 

Blockchain

Blockchain technology is highly effective at staving off cyberattacks. Most famously used as a marketing factor in cryptocurrency, blockchain technology is a decentralized database shared among multiple computers in a network. A typical blockchain consists of "blocks" that are filled with data. Once a block is complete, another block is added to the network or "chain." 

What makes this so secure is that there isn't a single point of failure in a blockchain — hackers can't launch a cyberattack against one database and steal everything they need. The data is distributed across multiple databases.

This system not only makes it impossible for hackers to find what they are looking for, but it also means data backups are distributed across different databases — ensuring that the information is never lost.

Swarm-AI

Swarm artificial intelligence is a radical new way to utilize AI. This AI technology uses multiple AI software in combination with each other to perform complex tasks that one AI could not accomplish by itself. Government agencies are already using Swarm intelligence in experiments to control drone satellites.

Utilizing swarm intelligence in a cybersecurity mesh can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful cyberattacks. Having specialized AI security systems working together to find hostile actors and fix vulnerabilities can also increase your system's efficiency.

Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture Is the Future

While cyberattacks continue to become more sophisticated, conventional cybersecurity models need to be updated to keep up. Cybersecurity mesh architecture can secure your data more efficiently. If the good guys are going to win the cyber arms race against criminals, security needs to evolve.