Most organisations are already taking steps to unify their cybersecurity tools.
A new report has shed light on the operational challenges facing UK security teams, with over a third (36%) of cybersecurity professionals citing overly complex, multi-vendor environments as a major barrier to fast and effective threat response.
The mix of disparate tools from different providers is not only time-consuming to manage, but also hinders automation and situational awareness. Compatibility gaps across platforms mean 43% of respondents are unable to automate key processes, while 36% report blind spots in threat visibility due to uncorrelated data.
Despite these issues, 74% of UK cyber professionals still operate within multi-vendor environments, though more than half believe a single provider could meet their security needs - if concerns over supplier lock-in didn’t stand in the way.
However, momentum is building toward consolidation. The findings show 86% of organisations are already taking steps to unify their cybersecurity tools, with 22% of UK firms having started the transition and another 49% planning to follow suit within two years.
Ilya Markelov, head of unified platform product line at Kaspersky, said: “The data indicates that organisations rely on multiple vendors by default, rather than through deliberate strategic planning. While diversification of security solutions can offer certain benefits, such as risk mitigation and coverage breadth, an unchecked increase in complexity often leads to significant resource drain and operational inefficiencies.
“Moreover, this complexity can create critical blind spots, making it harder to maintain comprehensive threat visibility and respond effectively to emerging risks. The emerging trend toward consolidation reflects a maturation in cybersecurity strategies, emphasising the adoption of integrated platforms that streamline management, reduce manual effort, and enhance overall visibility into security posture.”
Written by
Dan Raywood is a B2B journalist with 25 years of experience, including covering cybersecurity for the past 17 years. He has extensively covered topics from Advanced Persistent Threats and nation-state hackers to major data breaches and regulatory changes.
He has spoken at events including 44CON, Infosecurity Europe, RANT Forum, BSides Scotland, Steelcon and the National Cyber Security Show, and served as editor of SC Media UK, Infosecurity Magazine and IT Security Guru. He was also an analyst with 451 Research and a product marketing lead at Tenable.