Too many tools? The problems with Fragmented Security Tooling

Ever feel like you’ve got way too many cybersecurity tools? 

Maybe you’ve got one for endpoint detection, another for network monitoring, and a third for identity management. And the list goes on…

Cybersecurity can feel like a constant race to add more defences, but what if having too many tools is actually part of the problem?

Each tool is probably fantastic and cutting edge, but are they working together seamlessly? 

Probably not. 

This is what we call Fragmented Security Tooling.

It’s when your tools tackle specific problems but don’t work well together, leaving you without a solid, unified defence.

Why Fragmented Tooling Is a Problem

It’s tempting to think that having more tools means better security, but that’s not the case. 

Fragmentation can cause some massive problems, such as: 

1. Lack of Visibility. When tools don’t work in unison, you end up with blind spots. It’s hard to make strategic decisions when you can’t see the bigger picture. 
2. Alert Fatigue. When every tool generates its own set of notifications, your team can quickly become overwhelmed. Important warnings can get lost under a mountain of low-priority messages.
3. Tool Overlap. Why pay for two tools that do the same thing? It adds unnecessary complexity and drives up costs.
4. Inefficient Workflows. Without integration, your team spends precious time piecing together data from multiple tools. This slows things down and increases the chance of human error.
5. Inconsistent Security Policies. Unconnected tools make it difficult to enforce consistent policies across your organisation. Each tool may need separate configurations, creating confusion and gaps in security.
6. Higher Costs. More tools mean more expenses – whether that’s licensing, maintenance, or training. It all adds up.

How to Prevent Fragmented Security Tooling

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t worry… It’s not an unsolvable problem. 

Here are the 5 key steps to help you reduce fragmentation and create a stronger, more unified security strategy.

1. Vendor Consolidation

Managing cybersecurity can be daunting, especially with so many tools to choose from. 

While each tool might solve a specific problem, having too many always adds complications.

This is where vendor consolidation can help. 

It’s about working with fewer providers and choosing platforms that offer broader functionality and better integration. Note: It doesn’t mean relying on just one platform – it simply means having less to manage.

3 Steps to Get Started:

• Evaluate Overlap. Take a close look at your tools. Are there multiple solutions addressing the same issue? 
• Look for Combined Capabilities. Consider platforms that provide a wide range of features within a single, unified ecosystem.
• Start Negotiations. Reducing the number of vendors you work with increases your purchasing power. Use this to negotiate better pricing, improved support, and more flexible contracts.

Consolidating vendors makes management easier, boosts efficiency, and reduces redundancies, leaving fewer gaps in your defences.

But remember, while simplifying is important, avoid over-relying on a single provider. 

Consolidate wisely.

2. APIs and Interoperability

You might be wondering: “I’m happy to consolidate, BUT if I can’t rely on just one vendor, how can I ensure my tools work seamlessly together?”

The solution is interoperability. 

It’s basically the ability for different tools to share information and work together effectively. For businesses this is often done through an API. 

What’s an API? 

An API (Application Programming Interface) is like a bridge that allows different software systems to work in unison with one another. In other words, they become interoperable. 

For example, a threat detection tool could use an API to send alerts to an incident response platform, helping your security team act quickly.

Look out for: 

• Tools with standardised APIs and frameworks, which simplify integration.
• Open-source projects and vendor-neutral initiatives that promote flexibility and reduce dependence on proprietary systems.

Real interoperability lets you stay secure without being locked into one vendor’s ecosystem.

3. Automation and Orchestration

When systems don’t work together, it slows you down, makes responding to threats harder, and increases your team’s workload.

Automation and orchestration can fix this by making tasks easier and helping your tools work as a team.

Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) tools are designed to do just that. They handle time-consuming jobs like sorting through logs, managing alerts, and creating reports.

For example, a SOAR tool could:

• Automatically sort alerts so your team can handle the most important ones first. For simpler issues, they even suggest what to do next, reducing notification overload.
• Cross-check alerts against the latest threat data, so your responses are faster and more accurate.
• Reduce simple human error. 

Tasks like updating security settings or making reports are done consistently, taking pressure off your team and ensuring nothing gets missed.

4. Integrated Platforms

Integrated platforms offer a technology-driven way to bring all your security tools together, making it easier to monitor, detect, and respond to threats. 

They can help consolidate your vendors, improve interoperability, and enable automation where possible.

4 Benefits of integrated platforms:

• Simplified Operations. Instead of switching between multiple tools, your team can manage security through one platform, saving time and reducing errors.
• Improved Visibility. With all your security data in one place, it’s easier to spot weaknesses and potential threats.
• Scalability. These platforms grow with your business, ensuring your security remains effective as your organisation expands.
• Faster Threat Response. Centralised data allows quicker detection and resolution of security issues, reducing risk and minimising damage.

Two key types of integrated platforms are SIEM and XDR.

What are SIEM Tools? 

SIEM stands for Security Information and Event Management.

These tools gather and analyse security data from across your organisation, such as login activity, software updates, and unusual behaviour.

What are XDR Solutions? 

XDR is short for Extended Detection and Response.

These tools take SIEM a step further by linking security across your organisation – spanning endpoints, networks, and cloud services.

By using integrated platforms like SIEM and XDR, even those new to cybersecurity can build a streamlined, effective security system that grows with their business.

5. Centralised Security Operations Centres (SOCs)

A Centralised SOC is the human-centric center for cybersecurity, where skilled professionals monitor, analyse, and respond to threats. 

An effective SOC relies on integrated tools, automation, and systems, but isn’t blinded by them. 

It brings a human touch – whether that’s spotting overarching patterns, making sense of complex situations, or making thoughtful decisions.

Without a centralised SOC, your team and tools can become disconnected from one another, leading to the same inefficiencies and potential risks as before. 

A unified team managing a well-integrated security system ensures your organisation is ready to face even the most challenging threats.

This might seem straightforward in theory, but when you’re managing a large organisation or preparing to scale up, the challenges grow…

Keeping your tools integrated, your team aligned, and your security strategy effective can easily become stressful. 

That’s where Cyber Alchemy can help. 

We work with you to identify weaknesses and build a cohesive security strategy tailored to your organisation’s size and goals. 

Contact us today and let’s talk about building a more secure and efficient security system for your business!