Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!
ColumnsSecurity Enterprise Services

The Cloud Is NOT a Product

By Phil Aronson
The Cloud Is NOT a Product
December 1, 2016

If you are a CSO or head of security, you will inevitably face the day when a senior business executive will ask you for a detailed analysis of your strategy including the level of service you provide and how it will scale over time. That is a request that can be translated like this: “How do I know you are deploying your people the right way, measuring them the right way, and optimizing the processes they live in the right way?”

Inevitably you will be asked to challenge your assumptions about your program. Do you really need an extra headcount? Why do you have IT people on staff when we have an IT department? Are you carrying costs that can be eliminated through technology?

Which brings us to the title of this month’s column: The Cloud is NOT a Product. It is a Total Quality Management kick-starter.

The entire risk and security ecosystem of consultants, integrators, manufacturers and end users have a funny way of quickly moving to a product answer when we may have a systemic problem on our hands that is being sustained by our assumptions or belief system. Underlying the product solution is a business problem.

Today, there are consultants who specialize in risk assessments. But rarely is it asked: “Am I organized around the value and risk drivers of my organization?” or “Am I deploying technology in such a way that reduces budget and deployment risk as well as information asset risks?”                

We need a consolidated effort around the risk assessment of the security program itself; the people, performing roles in a process using technology. Should the head of security outsource the subject matter expertise they need in risk assessments, program management, and IT infrastructure and support? Have they looked at ways to virtualize a part of their guard services?          Do they have someone persistently looking at their performance metrics and their risk intelligence who is paid to optimize while improving their overall risk picture? Are they working alongside their line of business peers to embed the cost and value of risk and resilience within their programs?

The Cloud is forcing all of us in the risk and security ecosystem to look at new ways of operating. It challenges our assumptions around people, infrastructure and security. It forces us to move beyond the hype and the scare tactics to address real world problems of scale and performance.

We can solve the security performance, integration and bandwidth issues that have stalled us in physical security. We know this because our IT peers are moving at breakneck speed to virtualize and outsource many of their core services to the cloud. And nothing forces us to consider deploying cloud and managed services like a budget process and the scrutiny over our metrics and value.

Global data center traffic is expected to grow exponentially. Companies are moving to the cloud to gain productivity, reduce cost and improve uptime. This market disruption is creating a need to look at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the entire security technology solution and program. It will consider the Time to Value (T2V) for implementing new capabilities and quickly scaling to meet the organization’s needs.

The new threshold for us as leaders is to cast a vision of performance that is not choked by our inability to adapt or innovate. Courage is needed as well as a process for understanding our program metrics and testing our infrastructure and technology assumptions. Be prepared for the new world of Security Risk Management Services (SRMS).

KEYWORDS: cloud security Security Return on Investment (ROI) security risk management security services security technology Total Cost of Ownership

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Aronson 2016 200px

Phil Aronson is the second generation owner of Aronson Security Group (ASG) a provider of risk, resilience and security solutions within the emerging Security Risk Management Services (SRMS) industry. Aronson is heavily invested in a legacy of value for the industry by hosting an executive leadership forum called The Great Conversation, by participating in the International Security Management Association (ISMA) and by leading his company to the next generation of security services.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Security Enterprise Services
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    Logical Security
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

White post office truck

Department of Labor Sues USPS Over Texas Whistleblower Termination

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

September 29, 2025

Global Security Exchange (GSX)

 

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • The Corner Office

    How Can Security Risk Management Services Drive Technology Roadmaps?

    See More
  • You Are Already Obsolete

    You Are Already Obsolete; It's Time to Evolve

    See More
  • Defining the Next Generation of Security Services in the C-Suite's Language; security technology, security services

    Defining the Next Generation of Security Services in the C-Suite's Language

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing