Like Poke'mon, Old Security must GO! vol 5, rel 10

In every survey we’ve seen a presumptive agenda in its purpose, to move a specific product or service. Hence, we chose to take a different approach, i.e., a survey of non-IT endusers to identify what is working and what needs to be refreshed. Specifically, identify what the current satisfaction in the public sector with today's Security Solutions. 

We administered a Security Services and Technology survey at the National Association of Counties (NACo) Annual Conference in Long Beach CA.

We chose NACo, for it is the only national association that represents county governments in the United States.  It covers 3,069 counties across the US and pretty much represents the common government end-users that most public sector IT dignitaries run into.

The questions we delved into were about how happy you are with your Security services and technology. Of 2000 surveyed we received 496 responses. 

This way, we can determine “Where does it hurt” with a patient that is a non-IT functionary, basically, the executive end-users.

What we found out will surprise you – never again should we assume that the non-IT end user is unsophisticated in their Security awareness.

Without further ado, our survey results:

Our first question asked, “In the Past 12 months, how many security issues are you aware of?"  

Surprisingly, the mere fact that you are not in IT, and can actually could answer this, is distressing enough; however, to call out a quarterly, or even a monthly frequency means something is wanting in your Security landscape. Then we asked the question, "How satisfied are you with your Security Technology?"  

We were impressed on how many non-IT folks not only knew these components but were confident enough to identify their function as satisfactory.  

The Firewall is the Winner (Well better than the rest…)

To break this down to the brass tax – here is the details on the satisfied category: 

Congratulations to the firewall, for at least getting 21% of the vote.  Honestly, the categories were pretty evenly spread.  We found that most of those surveyed that were satisfied were usually happy with their environment.  However, that being said, we did notice the majority not really being happy.

So, with that we naturally, we asked the question, "How Unsatisfied are you with your Security Technology?"  Again, impressed on how many non-IT folks not only knew these components but were confident enough to identify their function as unsatisfactory.  Mobile Security and Anti-Malware seemed to be the main culprits in your discord.

As a Group we noticed the “not sure” did weigh in, but more significantly, it did

not dominate.  The majority of the respondents not only knew about the respective technologies, but had an opinion on them.  Now we may be stretching here, but IT Security is much like a bank, the more we are talked about the worse we are doing.  In other words, the day you become a water cooler term, is the day your technology needs to be refreshed.

Our survey also had the chops of delving into the root causes, so it asked the question, “How would you Rate your Satisfaction of Manufacturer Support?” to ferret out if it’s us or them?

In the bread and butter categories, Malware, Firewalls, and Web Filtering the Satisfied and Very Satisfied were neck and neck – hence, we didn’t think the issue was perceived manufacturer support.

So was it the technology itself?  To see, we asked the question, “If you could replace the solutions with a vastly superior one, which would go?”

Now again, Firewall edging out the field, yes it was the favored in satisfaction, but that was just 20% of those surveyed – there is still that 80% that feel otherwise.  That being said, it’s in good company, i.e., Anti-Malware and Web filter being tied as a close second.  What this is saying in a nutshell, is that what we have in the public sector is not cutting it.  A refresh is in order to meet the needs of the public sector world, where volumes are high, users are demanding, and throughput is key.

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Source(s)

Continuity Focus, Inc., National Counties Association Survey, Aug 2, 2016

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So “Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;”

About Rick Ricker

An IT professional with over 23 years experience in Information Security, wireless broadband, network and Infrastructure design, development, and support.

For more information, contact Rick at (800) 399-6085 x502

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Continuity Focus, Inc. (800) 399-6085 x502