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INE Security, a leading provider of cybersecurity training and certifications, today announced the results of a global study examining the convergence of networking and cybersecurity disciplines. 鈥�鈥� is based on insights from nearly 1,000 IT and cybersecurity professionals worldwide.
The report documents operational challenges created by this convergence and presents cross-training as the strategic solution.
鈥淥ur research reveals that while three-quarters of professionals recognise networking and cybersecurity as integrated disciplines, the majority still struggle with daily operational friction between these teams,鈥� said Lindsey Rinehart, CEO of INE Security.
鈥淥rganisations with high levels of security and IT complexity face breach costs averaging $1.2 million higher than those with streamlined, integrated environments. This isn鈥檛 just about future preparedness; it鈥檚 about solving problems that are costing organisations money today.鈥�
The report reveals that only 33% of professionals feel 鈥渧ery well鈥� or 鈥渆xtremely well鈥� prepared to handle the intersection of networking and cybersecurity, while 41% report being only 鈥渕oderately well鈥� prepared. This preparedness gap creates significant operational challenges but also presents strategic opportunities for organisations that invest in cross-domain expertise.
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鈥淐ross-trained professionals don鈥檛 just respond to incidents faster, they prevent the implement-break-fix cycles that plague most organisations,鈥� Rinehart added. 鈥淲hen teams understand both networking and security domains, projects deploy successfully the first time, emergency rollbacks become rare, and operational costs decrease substantially.鈥�
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Key Findings From The Report听
- Integration Reality: 75% of respondents view networking and cybersecurity as either 鈥渃ompletely integrated鈥� (29%) or 鈥渉ighly interconnected鈥� (46%), with only 7% still viewing them as separate disciplines
- Preparedness Gap: Only 33% feel well-prepared to handle networking-cybersecurity intersection, creating operational vulnerabilities and increased costs
- Collaboration Challenges: While 37% collaborate with counterparts 鈥渕ost of the time鈥� or 鈥渁lways,鈥� 34% collaborate only 鈥渟ometimes,鈥� and 23% work together 鈥渁bout half the time鈥�
- Critical Friction Points: Nearly one in five professionals (18%) identified knowledge gaps as their primary challenge, while organisational misalignment affects nearly a quarter of respondents
- Convergence Drivers: 77% cite growing cyberthreat complexity as the primary convergence driver, with widespread cloud adoption, remote work, and IoT device proliferation accelerating integration
- Six Critical Overlap Areas: Network monitoring, security monitoring, firewalls, configuration management, detection, and access control represent the most significant convergence points where cross-training delivers immediate benefits
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INE Security鈥檚 Recommendations For Organisations Include
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- Four-Step Cross-Training Implementation: Conduct skill assessments, deploy varied training methodologies, measure impact and ROI, and scale successful programmes
- Enhanced Threat Detection: Develop comprehensive visibility across network architecture and security implications to reduce incident response times
- Operational Excellence: Streamline workflows to reduce handoffs between specialised teams and eliminate failed implementations
- Cost Optimisation: Reduce downtime costs (averaging $5,600 per minute) through improved incident response and integrated operations
The report emphasises that successful cross-training transforms organisational culture by creating common language between teams, enabling balanced decision-making, streamlining operations, and improving talent retention through reduced workplace friction.
鈥淏reaking down security silos and fostering cross-team cooperation is essential for responding to the accelerating pace of cyberthreats,鈥� Rinehart concluded. 鈥淥rganisations that invest in developing professionals who can speak both languages will gain measurable advantages in threat detection, operational efficiency, and business resilience.鈥�
-This is a paid press release published via CyberNewswire-
