Defense in Depth Are New Gartner-Created Categories/Acronyms Helping or Hurting the Cybersecurity Industry?
Apr 10, 2025
Alex Hutton, CISO at Atlantic Union Bank, shares his expertise as a security executive and startup founder. He discusses the confusion created by Gartner's cybersecurity acronyms and how they complicate choices for professionals. Highlights include the challenges startups face when differentiating themselves and the importance of clear communication in vendor relationships. The conversation also delves into leveraging frameworks like Wardley Maps to navigate technology trends, underscoring the need for trust between vendors and clients in the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.
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Gartner Categories Cause Confusion
- Gartner categories initially helped buyers understand complex cybersecurity products.
- However, excessive and inconsistent new categories now cause confusion rather than clarity.
Categories Versus Problem Solving
- Vendors chase new Gartner categories to secure budget and differentiate.
- Buyers seek solutions for specific problems, making category labels insufficient for decisions.
Startup Founder Perspective
- Alex Hutton illustrates startup founder challenges in communicating complex tech simply.
- He notes catchy marketing beats detailed technical explanations for connection and sales.