Communication has evolved to the point of being a competitive advantage and thus a necessity for businesses. There are various channels and mediums that are redefining the B2B context, and the domain of interaction is also being deemed as an important parameter in overall business strategy.
While the success of this expansive communication means that companies should consider adoption as soon as possible, there is also a need to understand the information flow and data exchange.
Previously, there was a conventional and well defined network perimeter with only minor methods of data exchange. Now with avenues ranging from social media to cloud computing, security controls warrant a framework in the current B2B partner ecosystem.
Security Liabilities
In the context of public private partnerships, the value of information sharing has become the backbone of B2B communication. The model used before was mostly based on static and well protected communication interfaces. Most importantly, the cohesion or coordination among the appliances and the application layer wasn’t as accurate as it is today.
So what is the outcome of all the development?
In an illuminating study done by B2B international and Global Corporate IT Security Risks, 73% of companies cannot keep security breaches hidden. Most importantly, a vast segment of ill protected companies are under threat. Such companies need to comply with the pillars of a secure B2B framework, which are:
- Identity Protection
The approach to building a secure network of communication is dependent upon a multi-tiered framework. The first step is to minimize accessibility to your information and to know your platforms. Antivirus for Mac users is a viable deterrent to prevent thieves from getting into your system to begin with. Windows has comparable network security solutions. These types of attacks are important to avoid and they are becoming a growing concern for businesses.
Such measures are the initial layer of protection because it’s likely that companies are sharing information online with entities that are faceless or unidentified. In order to prevent breaches in the communication ecosphere, security systems become the first line of defense.
- Identity Access Management
On a similar note, the next level is that of ‘identity and access management/IAM’. The first half dealt with identity thefts; this one deals with application access control. A number of B2B channels are mediated via cloud application access, which makes them vulnerable to unidentified access from remote networks.
The IAM’s objective revolves around entitlement management, where it objectifies access levels to different applications and prevents any breaches from remote servers.
- Data Access Control
Data access control should be well defined and protected using encryption and endpoint control. This is also integrated with the first two pillars on the account that it caters to authorization and protection, when data is being shared with multiple parties.
The notion of endpoint control features is important because it acknowledges the ability of business partners to extract and control private information.
- Network Tier
The network tier forms the final layer and completes a looped security protection system. The first three pillars revolve around protection of data and its authorization. All of this is inwards mediated security. The outward mediated security is defined by intrusion detection systems and an array of security systems that monitor networks.
Amenable networks or threat points are monitored for any fabric access control. The threat is then matched with the authorization controls, and finally an enforcement mechanism is employed to keep the threat out.
The B2B environment in the current context is both an opportunity and a liability. In this context, restriction communications wouldn’t make sense. Instead, security laced networks are a better alternative based on the pillars provided above.
Thanks for sharing!