RSA: Big data highlighted as IT security panacea

Security tools built around big data analytics are the key to address the cyber security issues in the enterprise sector, according to RSA chairman Art Coviello.

During his RSA 2013 keynote, Coviello highlighted the need for companies to adapt to the ever-changing world of cyber security.

Coviello said that using the large quantities of information at a firm's disposal is the key to combating the growing threat of cyber spying and cybercrime.

"Big data technology has arrived so embrace it," Coviello said.

According to Coviello, 2012 was the year that big data came of age and security teams must use the tools that came out last year and implement them into their company.

He recommended that firms begin to transfer their current security plans to a system that heavily incorporates big data analytics. Coviello also recommended training employees to use big data science and hiring big data scientists during his presentation.

"New tools and techniques are coming online to analyse all of this data. It won't be long before big data applications and stores become the 'crown jewels' of an organisation," continued Coviello.

The past view years have seen a dramatic jump in big data offering in the security sector. IBM launched an updated version of its security tools last month. The update brought with it the ability to leverage big data to detect and prevent future cyber attacks.

Juniper also launched a product earlier this month that leverages big data intelligent for enterprise security administrators. Coviello named dropped the product during his keynote to illuminate the growing number of tools available in the sector.

While Coviello highlighted the changing world of enterprise security, he also warned that it's important to not overhype the current threat of cyber attacks. He specifically pointed to the recent attacks on Apple and Microsoft as something that should have been expected.

"A truly disruptive attack may be possible but at this time it's highly unlikely," continued Coviello.

Coviello said that the attacks shouldn't come as a surprise as the security field has been facing similar threats for years. It was important that realise the risks of high-profile firms being successfully attack had been understood for years.

A similar statement was given by Microsoft corporate vice president of Trustworthy Computing Scott Charney during his RSA keynote. Charney outlined a case for optimism by showcasing the security world's past adversity and successes.