The "Segmentation Impact Study" by Akamai reveals that organisations employing microsegmentation have seen a 33% reduction in ransomware containment time. The report highlights the critical role of microsegmentation in bolstering cybersecurity for organisations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
With an adoption rate of 38%, APAC surpasses the global average, reflecting a growing recognition of microsegmentation's ability to mitigate risks, enhance incident response, and lower cyber insurance premiums.
“Enterprises in Asia-Pacific are racing to keep up with an evolving and fragmented regulatory landscape, compounded by tougher cyber insurance requirements and increasingly sophisticated attackers," said Reuben Koh, director of Security Technology & Strategy for APJ at Akamai.
"Microsegmentation makes a real difference; it stops attacks in their tracks before they spread, helps organisations demonstrate compliance, and ultimately allows businesses to focus on their work without the constant worry of disruption.” Reuben Koh
Despite 90% of organisations implementing some form of segmentation, only 35% have fully adopted microsegmentation, leaving a significant gap that exposes them to cyber threats. In APAC, 79% of organisations reported experiencing ransomware attacks in the past two years, with 63% of microsegmentation adopters implementing the strategy specifically to contain these threats.
The report indicates that 75% of organisations believe cyber insurance is essential in today’s threat landscape. Insurers now scrutinise segmentation posture during underwriting, leading to a 60% reduction in premiums for organisations with mature segmentation strategies. These organisations also benefit from improved claim outcomes, with 74% believing that strong segmentation increases the likelihood of claims approval.
However, challenges remain. Many organisations still rely on legacy north-south segmentation approaches, exposing them to lateral movement by attackers. Common barriers to implementing microsegmentation include network complexity (44%), visibility gaps (39%), and operational resistance (32%).
As regulatory pressures increase across APAC, particularly in markets like China, where strict cybersecurity laws demand extensive visibility, microsegmentation presents a pathway for organisations to isolate critical assets and respond swiftly to incidents, all while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
“Organisations that successfully implement microsegmentation report fewer compromised systems and lower recovery costs,” Koh added. “In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated, adopting microsegmentation is not just a strategy; it's a necessity for maintaining robust cybersecurity and regulatory compliance.”
