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Defining and Implementing Security Platforms: Differentiating “PowerPoint” from Engineering Reality

Publisher IDC
Published Apr 14, 2026
Length 17 Pages
SKU # IDC21112340

Description

Security platforms have evolved from theoretical constructs to operational realities, delivering measurable benefits through architectural integration and operational cohesion. By unifying telemetry, centralizing policy, embedding automation, and simplifying workflows, organizations achieve improved threat detection, reduced risk, enhanced efficiency, and lower costs. Successful implementation requires strategic planning, phased deployment, and organizational alignment, while challenges include legacy integration, skill evolution, and vendor concentration. Ultimately, security platforms enable resilience, business continuity, and quantifiable ROI in complex digital environments.“Security platforms are no longer dreams that only live in PowerPoint slides; they are the architectural answer to complexity, transforming fragmented defenses into unified, measurable business value,” says Frank Dickson, Group Vice President of Security & Trust, IDC.

Table of Contents

17 Pages

Executive snapshot

Key takeaways

Recommended actions

Situation overview

Defining a security platform

Key elements of a security platform

Key benefits of a security platform

Improved threat detection and response

Reduced operational complexity

Lower security-related costs

Business enablement and revenue protection

IDC’s approach to measuring the benefits of security platforms

Advice for the technology buyer

Operational efficiency gains

Threat detection and response improvements

Risk reduction and incident impact mitigation

Reduced downtime and improved resiliency

Financial outcomes and ROI

Generalized benefits

Challenges

Primary challenges

Secondary implementation challenges

Recommended best practices for security platform strategy

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