Preface
Nearly all clients are seeking greater prosperity in 2024.
While client organizations are still focused on cost reductions to meet the challenges of their new economic and market realities, the pent-up demands of the business are increasingly calling for innovation, automation, and organizational performance improvement.
Digital Transformation has emerged as the #1 Way to Boost Performance and Savings concurrently. Client organizations that are digitally transforming are harvesting greater value by:
- Automating tasks (RPA) to streamline efficiencies
- Unlocking data insights (ML) for better organizational (AI) decision-making
- Empowering flexible (Cloud) solutions for more cost-effective scaling
This drives greater innovation, improved organizational performance, and significant cost savings ranging from 25-30% (depending on industry, scope of transformation, maturity of transformation, and the methodology and execution) while at the same time, lowering risk by diversifying and improving the technology supply chain.
NET(net) is the #1 IT Cost and Value Optimization Provider. In the last 20+ years, NET(net) has shaped over $2 Trillion of investment, captured well over $400 Billion of incremental value for our clients and partners, and has an 85% probability of helping you save between 13-53% on your existing and planned IT costs. Our performance numbers are simply unmatched.
Introduction
In today's threat landscape, robust cybersecurity is no longer a luxury, it's a necessity. But navigating the world of cybersecurity suppliers can be overwhelming. Established players like Crowdstrike, Palo Alto Networks, and McAfee dominate the market, often with hefty price tags. However, a new force is potentially emerging for mid-market companies in certain industries: Gen Digital.
Gen Digital: A Legacy of Security, Redefined
Gen Digital boasts a massive user base and rich history formed from the merger of industry giants: NortonLifeLock (Norton Antivirus & LifeLock) and Avast. This strategic union brings together consumer-focused security with established B2B solutions from Avast with strong brand recognition in consumer cybersecurity. The result? A comprehensive cybersecurity suite designed for both consumers and businesses, with a particular focus on mid-market companies.
Why Consider Gen Digital as Your Next Security Partner?
Here's where Gen Digital shines:
- Competitive Pricing: Gen Digital understands the budgetary constraints of mid-sized businesses. They offer robust security solutions at a lower cost compared to some established players. This can put downward pressure on pricing across the industry, benefiting all client organizations on the hunt for value for money.
- Focus on Mid-Market Needs: Gen Digital isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. They tailor their offerings to address the specific challenges faced by mid-market businesses. This means pre-configured security packages that address common threats like malware, ransomware, and phishing, simplifying implementation and ongoing management.
- Combined Expertise: The merger of Avast and NortonLifeLock creates a powerhouse of expertise. Gen Digital leverages this knowledge to deliver innovative security solutions that stay ahead of evolving cyber threats.
- Industry-Specific Solutions: Gen Digital recognizes that different industries have unique security needs. They offer targeted solutions for four major critical sectors including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and retail.
A Feature Comparison: Gen Digital vs. The Incumbents (Appendix A)
See Below: Appendix A includes a feature comparison chart outlining key features (e.g., Endpoint Protection, Threat Detection & Intelligence, Mobile Security, Cloud Security) offered by Gen Digital, Crowdstrike, Palo Alto Networks, and McAfee.
Challenges and Opportunities
While Gen Digital presents a compelling alternative, some challenges remain:
- Brand Awareness: Newer to the enterprise/business endpoint market compared to pioneers like Crowdstrike, as building a strong brand identity within the enterprise security market takes time and effort and will only come as customers gain confidence in their solutions.
- Competition: Established players have a head start in brand recognition and installed base. As client organizations seek to disrupt the economic monopolies that many incumbents enjoy, competition from Gen Digital's may help elevate their capabilities alongside other, more established suppliers, but will certainly bring downward pricing pressure on the market, better enabling client organizations to make informed decisions about price and value.
Unlocking the Potential of Gen Digital
By considering Gen Digital, you can potentially:
- Reduce Security Costs: Gain access to robust security solutions without breaking the bank, potentially driving down pricing across the industry.
- Simplify Security Management: Benefit from pre-configured solutions designed for your size business along with ongoing support, saving valuable IT resources.
- Optimize Security Posture: Leverage industry-specific expertise and innovative solutions to stay ahead of evolving threats.
Optimal Cost and Value of your Cybersecurity
As your trusted advisor, we can help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity by assessing your needs, comparing the available solutions on the market, and ensuring you have the best deal possible (that fully meets your business needs at the lowest price possible) given your unique constraints and opportunities.
Call to Action
NET(net) can help you maximize your savings and value on all your IT spend categories, including those for cybersecurity, so Act Now.
About the Author
Steven C. Zolman is a leading expert in technology investment optimization and the founder, owner, and executive chairman of NET(net), Inc., the world's leading technology investment optimization firm. With over 30 years of industry experience, Mr. Zolman has helped client organizations of all sizes maximize the value of their technology investments by minimizing cost and risk and maximizing the realization of value and benefit.
Appendix A: Feature Comparison Chart
Note: This is a basic feature comparison chart. The specific features offered by each supplier may or may not have complete effectiveness for your specific use cases. It's crucial to conduct thorough research and consider your specific needs before making a decision.
Further Analysis:
- Endpoint Protection: All suppliers offer endpoint protection, a foundational security layer that safeguards devices from malware, ransomware, and other threats. Gen Digital and McAfee might offer more basic or pre-configured options, while Crowdstrike and Palo Alto Networks might have more granular control and advanced features.
- Threat Detection & Intelligence: All suppliers offer threat detection and intelligence capabilities, using various techniques to identify and respond to cyberattacks. Crowdstrike excels in real-time threat detection and leveraging threat intelligence for proactive defense. Palo Alto Networks focuses on network-based threat detection and prevention. Gen Digital and McAfee might offer a balance of endpoint and network-based detection, with Gen Digital leveraging Avast's threat intelligence expertise.
- Mobile Security: Mobile security is crucial in today's BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments. All suppliers offer some form of mobile security, but Crowdstrike's offering might be an add-on, while others might integrate it into their core platform. Gen Digital and McAfee might offer basic mobile protection, while Palo Alto Networks might have a more robust mobile device management (MDM) solution.
- Cloud Security: Cloud security is essential for organizations leveraging cloud infrastructure. All suppliers offer cloud security solutions, but their approaches might differ. Crowdstrike focuses on securing workloads and data in the cloud. Palo Alto Networks offers cloud-delivered security services that integrate with on-premise firewalls. Gen Digital and McAfee might offer cloud security features as part of their broader endpoint protection platforms.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP): DLP helps prevent sensitive data from being leaked or exfiltrated. Not all suppliers offer DLP, but Crowdstrike, Palo Alto Networks, and McAfee have DLP capabilities. Gen Digital might offer DLP as an add-on service.
- Managed Security Services (MSS): MSS provides ongoing security monitoring and management by a security expert team. All suppliers offer MSS as an optional add-on service, allowing organizations to outsource security management tasks.
About NET(net)
Founded in 2002, NET(net) is the world’s leading IT Investment Optimization firm, helping clients find, get, and keep more economic and strategic value in their technology supply chains. Over the last 20 years, NET(net) has influenced trillions of investment, captured hundreds of billions of value, and has helped clients cost and value optimize all major areas of IT Spend, including XaaS, Cloud, Hardware, Software, Services, Healthcare, Outsourcing, Infrastructure, and Telecommunications, among others. NET(net) has the experience you want, demonstrates the expertise that you need, and delivers the performance you demand and deserve. Contact us at info@netnetweb.com, visit us online at www.netnetweb.com, or call us at +1 (616) 546-3100 to see if we can help you capture more value in your IT investments, agreements, deployments, and relationships.
NET(net)’s Website/Blogs/Articles and other content is subject to NET(net)’s legal terms, offered for general information purposes only, and does not constitute legal advice. While NET(net) may offer views and opinions regarding the subject matter, such views and opinions are those of the content authors, are not necessarily reflective of the views of the company and are not intended to malign or disparage any other company or other individual or group.
