The Pandemic changed the labour market environment. As already noted, the digital transformation, leveraged by the pandemic period, helped companies to shift the paradigm regarding as-a-Service.
In fact, Pandemic has shortened the digitalization period for companies. This meant that entities were forced to make significant technological changes in a short period of time, forced by market conditions and Pandemic, which drove the use of collaboration, communication and security tools. In addition, IT teams were under pressure to respond in order to provide continuity to the organizations. The adoption of other types of technologies was crucial to respond to the needs raised by the period.
However, what was accelerated during the pandemic period is, in fact, increasingly the operating model used in any business, i.e. companies specializing in certain services, where other companies consume those services so that they can focus on what they are best at.
Additionally, companies have started to realise that they do not have the full capacity, on their own, to quickly respond to needs and threats, to develop a strategic plan, among other operations. They undoubtedly need as-a-Service solutions. It is necessary to do the math and understand “what is the cost of focusing on the core business and delegating the rest to services?”.
Typically, these models are associated with the Cloud, a key technology for business operational continuity. Cloud adoption is not a matter of “if”, but of “when”. These days, the Cloud is an inevitability, and as-a-Service models bring numerous advantages to business operations, such as:
- Frequent updates that correct flaws and vulnerabilities in order to improve the system;
- Data security through cryptography that also performs information backups;
- Remote access that provides flexibility;
- Customization by company;
- Delivery of metrics and indicators that help prepare evaluations and eventual solutions;
- Fixed cost;
- Reaches several markets;
- Low acquisition cost;
- Automation of the work, and consequent use of the benefits of technology.
This progressive shift towards a service-oriented market tends to grow, in all segments, as it increases the competitive advantages of the organization, stimulates anticipation of customer needs and explores possibilities to reinvent products.
In addition, one of the factors that most favors this change is the fact that the models have conversion from CapEx to OpEx, which allows cost predictability, since the client buys what he needs.
However, if it is true that they have all these benefits, it is also true that they are a new entry point for cyber attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt strategies that, from a cybersecurity point of view, allow you to minimize the risks.
The various as-a-Service models have seen a growth in their adoption, especially in 2020, from the more traditional Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) or Infrastructure- -as-a-Service (IaaS), to the lesser-known Communications-as-a-Service.
Similarly, the “Everything as a Service” (XaaS) is a business model in which the use of or access to solutions replaces ownership. Its main advantage is increased business agility, again cost reduction and improved workforce efficiency that will continue to strengthen.
One category of this service that has gained notoriety is Software as a Service (Saas), which consists of the commercialization and distribution of Cloud-based software. One of the biggest advantages of this solution is the possibility of data access from anywhere with Internet.
In a world where more and more services are consumed, security can also be offered as a service. Security-as-Service allows the client to be in possession of all the latest and most up-to-date cybersecurity tools.
Rui Duro, Country Manager at Check Point Software Technologies in Portugal, states that “security as a service provides organizations with security solutions tailored to their needs that not only detect and monitor the malicious potential of corporate environments, but actively prevent threats“. He further adds that a “unified, easy-to-manage platform that provides a holistic view for all environments and protects at the device, network, cloud and all endpoint level“. Some of the most popular services are MDR, endpoint detection & response (EDR), vulnerability management and extended detection & response (XDR).
In fact, it is increasingly important that companies consume this type of service since not only is there a shortage of cybersecurity specialists, but also companies’ IT teams are getting smaller and smaller.
However, it is crucial to understand that security must first start inside companies. These solutions then work as a complement, and the responsibility always lies with the companies.
If, in fact, there is a concern with security, which has presented so many vulnerabilities in recent times, it is best to opt for these as-a-Service and Cloud Computing models.
In Portugal, there are many small companies that do not have sufficient resources and know-how to meet this technological leap. In this sense, it is up to partners, such as ActiveSys, to assist throughout this process.
Contact us for more information on these models that are here to stay and are, without a doubt, essential and advantageous services for your company.