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Why Cybersecurity Is About People, Data And Technology--Not Perimeters

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. t-people-data-and-technology-not-perimeters.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 9:09 GMT by Forbes
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Cybersecurity Reimagined: People, Data, and Technology – The End of the “Perimeter” Era

The cybersecurity landscape has shifted dramatically over the past decade. In an article published on Forbes in September 2025, the author argues that the once‑dominant focus on “perimeters” – firewalls, DMZs, and other traditional network‑based defenses – is no longer adequate. Instead, the future of protection lies in a holistic framework that centers on three interconnected pillars: people, data, and technology. The piece traces how this paradigm shift has become a necessity in the face of evolving threats, rapid digital transformation, and an increasingly complex ecosystem of devices, applications, and human behaviors.

1. The Perimeter Myth in a Post‑Hybrid Work World

Historically, security teams visualized a clear line of defense: a perimeter that isolated the corporate network from the outside world. With the rise of cloud services, SaaS platforms, and mobile workforces, that line has blurred. The Forbes article recounts how a typical hybrid workplace creates a “multiple perimeters” scenario, with employees accessing critical assets from home, coffee shops, or on the road. The traditional perimeter model, once considered a silver bullet, now becomes a brittle defense that can be bypassed by a single compromised device or a misconfigured cloud service.

The article cites real‑world incidents where attackers exploited misconfigured cloud storage buckets or leveraged stolen credentials to move laterally inside organizations. These events underscore the need to rethink security as a property of every asset, not just the network’s edge.

2. People: The Human Element That Either Sinks or Saves

One of the central arguments of the piece is that “people” are the most significant vulnerability—and, paradoxically, the most powerful resource for defense. Human error, whether through phishing clicks, weak passwords, or insider threats, remains the top cause of data breaches. The author points out that many organizations still treat employees as potential adversaries rather than allies.

Training and Culture

The Forbes article highlights successful programs that embed security into everyday workflows. For example, security champions—selected employees who receive specialized training—can act as on‑site advocates for best practices. Regular, realistic phishing simulations help keep vigilance high without creating “alert fatigue.” Companies that cultivate a culture of “security by design” see a measurable drop in incidents.

Accountability and Trust

The piece also discusses how organizations can balance monitoring with trust. Transparent policies, clear consequences for policy violations, and avenues for employees to report suspicious activity without fear of retribution are essential. When employees feel empowered rather than policed, they are more likely to engage proactively in security.

3. Data: The Core Asset That Requires New Protection Paradigms

Data is the primary target in many attacks—whether for ransom, espionage, or reputational damage. The Forbes article argues that protecting data requires a shift from perimeter‑based controls to data‑centric security models.

Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and Encryption

While DLP solutions still play a role, their effectiveness is limited if data is already in transit or at rest across multiple cloud services. The author recommends universal encryption, coupled with zero‑knowledge or homomorphic encryption where possible, to reduce the risk that data can be read by anyone—even insiders.

Data Classification and Contextual Access

A key point is that not all data is equally valuable. By classifying information based on sensitivity, organizations can apply stricter controls only where needed. The article describes how machine‑learning tools can automatically tag data, flagging personal information, intellectual property, or regulated data such as PHI or PCI. Contextual access controls—granting permissions based on role, device health, and location—enable dynamic protection that adapts to threat posture.

Data Residency and Sovereignty

The article also touches on the geopolitical dimension: data residency laws in the EU, US, and other jurisdictions mean that the location of data can become a compliance risk. Enterprises must ensure that their data storage practices align with local regulations, adding another layer to the data‑centric approach.

4. Technology: The Enabling Backbone of Modern Defense

While people and data are the new focus, technology remains the enabler that ties the two together. The Forbes piece outlines several cutting‑edge technologies that have become essential to any robust cybersecurity posture.

Zero Trust Architecture

Zero Trust replaces the assumption of “trusted inside the network” with continuous verification. The article explains that a Zero Trust model incorporates identity‑first authentication, micro‑segmentation, and continuous risk assessment. By assuming that any part of the network could be compromised, organizations can enforce least‑privilege access and minimize the blast radius of a breach.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

AI-powered threat detection can analyze network telemetry, endpoint logs, and user behavior at scale. The Forbes article cites use cases such as anomaly detection for insider threat identification, automated patch management, and predictive threat intelligence. The key is that AI amplifies human decision‑making rather than replacing it; security analysts can focus on high‑severity alerts rather than sifting through terabytes of data.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

SASE blends network security services (like SD‑WAN, CASB, and firewall‑as‑a‑service) with secure access over the internet. The article notes that SASE helps organizations secure access for remote workers without the overhead of VPNs. It also supports policy enforcement at the application level, aligning with data‑centric controls.

Extended Detection and Response (XDR)

XDR solutions aggregate data from endpoints, networks, and cloud services to provide a unified view of threat activity. The Forbes article points out that XDR can correlate seemingly unrelated events, enabling rapid containment and remediation. The technology also feeds back into the Zero Trust model by refining risk scores and access decisions.

5. A Unified, People‑Data‑Tech Framework

The central thesis of the Forbes piece is that security is no longer a siloed function but an integrated approach. The article proposes a three‑step framework:

1. Assess – Identify critical data, understand where it resides, and map who has access.
2. Protect – Deploy Zero Trust and data‑centric controls, backed by AI‑driven monitoring.
3. Enable – Foster a culture of security, provide continuous training, and establish feedback loops for continuous improvement.

The author argues that this framework is iterative; as threats evolve, so must the policies, technologies, and people training. The ultimate goal is resilience: the ability to detect, respond to, and recover from incidents while maintaining operational continuity.

6. Lessons from Recent Breaches

To reinforce the urgency, the article cites several high‑profile breaches from the past year:

• Cloud Misconfiguration: A mid‑size retailer exposed millions of customer records due to an unsecured S3 bucket. The breach highlighted the need for data‑centric security and automated compliance checks.
• Insider Threat: A senior analyst at a financial services firm downloaded confidential client data for personal use. The company’s lack of real‑time activity monitoring allowed the theft to go unnoticed for weeks.
• Ransomware via Supply Chain: A ransomware attack spread through a software vendor’s update mechanism, compromising multiple downstream customers. The incident underlined the importance of supply‑chain risk management and zero‑trust verification of third‑party code.

Each case demonstrates the limitations of a perimeter‑based approach and the advantages of a comprehensive, people‑data‑tech strategy.

7. The Road Ahead: Building a Cyber‑Resilient Organization

The article concludes by emphasizing that the transition to this new paradigm is not instantaneous. It requires investment in technology, re‑engineering of processes, and most importantly, a shift in mindset. Leaders must champion security at every level, allocate budgets for continuous education, and cultivate a culture where everyone recognizes their role in the defense chain.

The Forbes piece offers a roadmap for organizations of all sizes: start by auditing data assets, adopt Zero Trust principles, integrate AI for early detection, and embed security into the company culture. In an era where threats are increasingly sophisticated, the old notion that a hardened perimeter can keep attackers out is no longer viable. Instead, security becomes a dynamic, organization‑wide discipline—rooted in people, data, and technology.