In today’s cybersecurity environment, IT professionals are often faced with integrating several different software and hardware solutions from a variety of vendors into their overarching IT infrastructure, all while contending with legacy systems. Get the mix right and you’ll have systems that run smoothly and keep your information secure. But get it wrong and you’re not only facing an operational hit trying to make things work or untangle the mess – you’re also needlessly putting your data at risk.

Many security vendors advertise product solutions that integrate with other systems, but the definition of “integrated” can vary wildly. Some products possess key and policy management but lack the security of a hardware security module (HSM), and others may be designed only to protect specific platforms. Integration could also mean a simple bundle of devices from different vendors, who have their own contacts and responsibilities for their products should problems arise.

Here are a few key things to bear in mind when considering an integrated cybersecurity system:

Keeping set-up simple:

For enterprises, data centers, and other large businesses, installing a new set of hardware isn’t trivial – multiple steps of planning must be done to ensure smooth setups and maintenance after the fact. But an integrated solution can offer enhanced security with minimal installation. There’s no need to separately load key management software onto a hardware appliance; no need to install and manage internal or external HSMs (hardware security module); no need to plug in an RNG or other external entropy source; no need to install and manage a database as a keystore; no need to separately set up replication, otherwise no need to procure, install, configure, and manage a range of individual components.

Networking – the weak link

A security setup that links several devices through a network can present its own issues. Though the devices may be hardened and make secure transfers before the data’s destination, a weak link in the network chain could nullify any security efforts and negatively impact performance. Similarly, any kind of hardware or software failure of one device hobbles the other, potentially putting both offline for maintenance.

Single point of contact

Although it’s always hoped new systems will work perfectly, it can be helpful to have outside support, especially in the early stages. A bundled solution of different devices may initially seem appealing, but should the worst occur, you could be left juggling multiple support conversations and accruing steep maintenance overheads. On the other hand, an integrated system means just one point of contact, who’ll have the knowledge to troubleshoot issues or tackle larger challenges.

QuintessenceLabs key managers deliver this type of truly integrated, highly secure one-device solution. The qCrypt 350TSF combines vendor-neutral key and policy management with HSM hardening, all backed by quantum-powered randomness to protect against the most advanced cyber-attacks. At its core is the qCrypt key manager, which handles large numbers of cryptographic keys and their policies. As most organizations are dealing with a range of new and legacy systems, QuintessenceLabs built qCrypt to be vendor-neutral, as well as adhering to the OASIS Key Management Interoperability Protocol (KMIP) – a standard governing compatibility between key management platforms for several different vendors.

Learn more about how QuintessenceLabs technology solutions can help create an integrated cybersecurity environment by reading our solution guide or schedule a demo today.