How IBM and Palo Alto Networks Are Simplifying Cybersecurity Complexity Through Platformization
A new global study conducted by the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) in collaboration with Palo Alto Networks® reveals that organizations are grappling with significant cybersecurity complexity. The research highlights that surveyed businesses are managing an average of 83 different security solutions from 29 vendors, creating inefficiencies and hindering their ability to combat evolving cyber threats effectively. However, organizations adopting a platformized approach to cybersecurity are reaping substantial benefits, including improved operational efficiencies, revenue generation, and reduced costs.
The study, titled “Capturing the Cybersecurity Dividend: How Security Platforms Generate Business Value,” underscores the growing need for organizations to streamline their cybersecurity strategies. It finds that 75% of organizations embracing platformization agree that better integration across security, hybrid cloud, AI, and other technology platforms is critical to success. Meanwhile, 52% of surveyed executives cite fragmentation as a major obstacle to addressing cyber threats effectively. This fragmentation not only impacts performance but also comes at a steep cost—surveyed executives estimate it accounts for 5% of their annual revenue losses.
For a company with $20 billion in annual revenue, this equates to a staggering $1 billion loss due to inefficiencies caused by fragmented security solutions. These costs include security incidents, lost productivity, failed digital transformations, stalled AI initiatives, and reputational damage.
The Growing Challenge of Cybersecurity Complexity
As digital interconnectedness expands, so does the attack surface for cybercriminals. Modern cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging AI and automation to exploit vulnerabilities. At the same time, defenders are using AI to enhance their capabilities, creating a high-stakes race in cybersecurity innovation.
Despite these advancements, surveyed executives report that managing numerous disparate tools has created significant challenges:
- 52% identify complexity as the biggest impediment to effective cybersecurity operations.
- 80% face pressure to reduce security costs, while 41% note that fragmentation has driven up procurement expenses.
- 80% of non-platformized organizations admit their security operations struggle to handle the sheer volume of threats and attacks.
On the other hand, organizations that have embraced platformization report transformative results. For example:
- 80% of platform adopters say they have full visibility into potential vulnerabilities and threats.
- Platformized organizations experience shorter mean time to identify (MTTI) and mean time to contain (MTTC) security incidents by an average of 72 and 84 days, respectively.
These findings demonstrate that consolidating multiple tools into a unified platform not only strengthens security posture but also enhances operational efficiency and ROI.
The Business Value of Platformization
The research shows that platformization enables organizations to achieve nearly four times better ROI from their cybersecurity investments compared to those relying on fragmented solutions. This approach fosters revenue generation and drives operational efficiencies, making cybersecurity a strategic enabler of business growth.
In today’s AI-driven world, platformization plays a pivotal role in integrating AI capabilities into cybersecurity strategies. With 90% of surveyed executives planning to scale, optimize, or innovate with AI within the next two years, adopting a platformized model can accelerate AI adoption and deliver actionable insights. For instance:
- Organizations can leverage platformization to streamline investment cycles and adopt advanced technologies like agentic AI for security.
- A unified platform provides the governance needed to deploy AI capabilities responsibly and effectively.
By aligning technologies and prioritizing security as a core business requirement, organizations can confidently navigate their digital transformation journeys. The partnership between IBM and Palo Alto Networks exemplifies this vision, combining leading security platforms, AI, and transformation capabilities to help businesses achieve their desired outcomes.
Leadership Perspectives on Platformization
Executives from both companies emphasize the importance of collaboration in addressing cybersecurity challenges.
[Name], Global Managing Partner for Cybersecurity Services, IBM:
“Organizations continue to face challenges in updating their security posture to address new threats while reducing complexity and costs. Security leaders must enable innovation, protect assets, and derive value from their cybersecurity investments to help their organizations thrive and achieve business goals.”
[Name], President, Next-Generation Security, Palo Alto Networks:
“We’ve seen firsthand the positive impacts of adopting a platformized approach to security and the benefits it delivers. In today’s AI-fueled world, strong partnerships are more essential than ever. IBM and Palo Alto Networks share a common vision of creating better outcomes for our customers—whether in value, operations, or security. Platformization accomplishes all three, setting the stage for future success.”
Tips for Achieving Platformization Success
To simplify cybersecurity complexity and maximize the benefits of platformization, organizations should consider the following strategies:
- Evaluate Partners Critically: Streamline your security ecosystem by choosing partners that align with your mission and eliminating those that don’t add value. Make tough decisions about where to invest and when to part ways.
- Run Incident Response Drills: Test your incident response capabilities to identify areas where a unified platform can make the greatest impact. Use these insights to improve your security posture proactively.
- Leverage Joint Cyber Range Experiences: Prepare your teams to respond to modern cyber threats through immersive, organization-wide training. IBM and Palo Alto Networks now offer a joint Cyber Range experience in Cambridge, Massachusetts, enabling clients to simulate real-world scenarios and refine their security operating models.
