In an era where technology is continuously evolving, safeguarding critical infrastructure and sensitive data is an ever-growing challenge. The complexities of modern technological ecosystems, coupled with cyber threats, have necessitated a paradigm shift in cybersecurity strategies.
To shed light on these critical matters, Mandy Andress, Chief Information Security Officer at Elastic, elaborated on the prevailing challenges and the pivotal role played by a CISO. With a remarkable career spanning over 25 years, Mandy brings a wealth of experience and insights to the forefront of the cybersecurity discourse.
In this exclusive interview with The Cyber Express, Mandy delves into the intricate domain of securing infrastructure and data, the impact of Elastic’s open-source ethos on cybersecurity, and the ever-evolving landscape of compliance and data protection regulations. Furthermore, Mandy elaborates on the transformative potential of Elastic’s solutions and the proactive measures undertaken to counter emergent cyber threats.
As we navigate through the dynamic contours of cybersecurity, Mandy Andress provides invaluable insights into the strategies, principles, and approaches that drive Elastic’s commitment to securing the digital realm.
Mandy Andress, drawing from her extensive experience as a CISO, highlights the key challenges faced when it comes to securing infrastructure and data in the context of cybersecurity threats. She emphasizes that security teams can’t secure what they can’t see, meaning that the complexity and sprawl of an organization’s infrastructure, coupled with the rapid pace of technological change, pose significant challenges.
As data becomes more decentralized across various environments such as on-premise, SaaS services, and hybrid and multi-cloud setups, organizations are struggling to effectively secure it. The complexity and distribution of these systems make it difficult for security teams to have visibility and control over all the data within their environments. To overcome these challenges, Mandy suggests adopting tools and practices that provide deeper visibility and control, enabling organizations to better understand potential risks and threats and strengthen their security postures.
When it comes to open-source software, Elastic has implemented an open approach to security. Contrary to common assumptions, Mandy explains that open security, where security vendors share open detection rules, artifacts, and code, can actually enhance security postures. By sharing resources and collaborating with the cybersecurity community, security teams can gain a better understanding of threat intelligence work and improve their security processes more efficiently.
Elastic caters to customers across various sectors, each with its specific security requirements. While different sectors may have different regulatory requirements and focus areas for threat actors, Mandy asserts that the overall security challenges remain similar. She emphasizes the importance of quickly and effectively finding and exploring relevant data across large and decentralized datasets. Additionally, she mentions the need for organizations to adapt their security practices to counter increasingly sophisticated attacks facilitated by generative AI.
Compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and CCPA is a significant concern for organizations handling sensitive customer information. Mandy stresses the importance of aligning compliance requirements with a company’s overall business philosophy and operating model. Rather than implementing activities solely for the sake of compliance, she focuses on the objectives behind these regulations and implements them in a way that is both compliant and aligns with the company’s values and customers’ best interests.
As for managing complex compliance issues, Mandy believes in focusing on the “why” of the requirement and identifying where changes need to be made in business processes. By collaborating with business owners and aligning compliance requirements with the company’s operating philosophy, organizations can meet compliance obligations efficiently.
When it comes to staying up-to-date with emerging threats and vulnerabilities, Mandy and her security team utilize standard cybersecurity resources like websites, podcasts, and social media. However, she also believes in the value of sharing knowledge and experiences with peers and leveraging community insights to create more robust security practices.
Regarding recent cyber attacks associated with third-party data breaches, Mandy states that Elastic was not impacted by these breaches. However, such attacks serve as reminders of the challenges of using older technologies that may not be able to adapt to modern threats. These incidents reinforce the need for robust security frameworks and the continuous evolution of security practices.
In conclusion, Mandy Andress provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by CISOs in securing infrastructure and data in today’s evolving technological landscape. She emphasizes the importance of visibility and control, leveraging open-source approaches to security, adapting security practices to counter emerging threats, and aligning compliance requirements with a company’s overall philosophy. By adopting these strategies and approaches, organizations can strengthen their security postures and effectively navigate the dynamic nature of cybersecurity.