AISF 2021: Why Digital Transformation Is Not Enough

AhnLab's integrated security strategy conference ‘AhnLab ISF 2021,' held on Wednesday, October 20th, ended successfully with over 1,500 participants actively engaging in the online event. 

AhnLab ISF 2021 was held under the theme of 'Secure Cloud, Intelligent Transformation.' It focused on advanced threats taking root post-COVID 19, intelligent transformation—digital transformation integrated with optimization of technology and security—and the establishment of sustainable security strategy. 

​

Let's take a closer look at this year's AhnLab ISF.

Cloud, OT, AI: Key Areas for Intelligent Digital Transformation

Suk-Kyoon Kang, CEO of Ahnlab, shared his greetings and identified Cloud, OT, and AI as the key areas for intelligent digital transformation, implying that sustainability must be achieved across the whole business by improving cloud stability, the establishment of an integrated OT security system, and enhancing detection and response capabilities and work efficiency utilizing AI. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of external cooperation based on the 'Open Innovation' ecosystem and AhnLab's blueprint. The opening speech unveiled a brief outline of AhnLab's roadmap in the evolving threat landscape.

Figure 1. CEO Suk-Kyoon Kang's Opening Speech

CEO Suk-Kyoon Kang said, "Security threats are threatening our daily lives than ever before in more sophisticated ways during the 'new normal era.'" He added "AhnLab sees Cloud, OT security, and AI as the core areas for intelligent digital transformation. and that the company will enhance its capabilities in those areas through internal research and development along with external cooperation."

How to Build Your Ransomware Defense Structure​

Ransomware defense measures have become one of the most popular ​topics dealt with in keynote sessions​ by ​many countries and organizations. 

Jon Amato, a senior director analyst at Gartner, shared meaningful insights during the session to help businesses go over their ransomware defense structure and guide them into building an effective security architecture to respond to ransomware.

In the following session, ChyangKyu Han, Head of AhnLab Security Emergency Response Center (ASEC), introduced recently prevalent attack methods and provided useful insights regarding recent threats that businesses should know about. He also emphasized AhnLab's strategy and ​security ​capabilities that​ effectively respond to threats through efficient processing of extensive data collection and analysis via automation.

Excitements and Concerns: Insight for Cloud Security

It is undeniable that most companies are planning to migrate to the cloud if not already using it. But those who haven't already adopted cloud are probably hesitant due to cloud security. AhnLab ISF 2021 provided several sessions for businesses looking for or concerned with cloud security threats.

Young-Jin Roh, the Managing Director of AhnLab's Cloud Development Office, started his session by stating that most cloud security breaches occur due to configuration errors and simple human mistakes. He then proposed the adoption of CSPM (Cloud Security Posture Management), system hardening, and integrity monitoring to minimize those errors. The key point is to create a safe cloud environment via automation of security configuration monitoring that overcomes limits of manual management in terms of proactive prevention and post-detection of security.

With the previous session focusing on the utilization of cloud solutions, Kwang-Ho Choi, Head of AhnLab's Cloud Business Division, introduced the purpose of cloud operation and service. He raised the topic of 'why some businesses do not want to use cloud' and explained cloud security compliance along with cloud security operation measures. He went further to explain the strengths and features of 'AhnLab Cloud,' a security-specialized cloud management service that handles cloud configuration, operation, and security.

OT and AI Today, and Open Innovation

OT and AI are also considered as the key areas for intelligent digital transformation along with the cloud. In the case of OT, cyberattacks targeting industries, such as the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack that occurred in May 2021, are rising rapidly. As one ransomware attack can cause severe damage, advanced security is required. AI is also receiving attention in terms of improving work efficiency through enhanced detection and automation.

Il-Yong Kim, a Lead Researcher of AhnLab’s Integrated Security Team, presented AhnLab’s OT security strategies, introducing the trend of OT security threats and the distinct characteristics of the OT environment, emphasizing the importance of security integration between IT and OT. He stated that IT and OT security are like wings that need balancing. He stressed that AhnLab is an optimal partner for integrated OT security with both powerful IT security technology and sufficient understanding of the OT environment.

Kyung-Hee Kim, Managing Director of AhnLab’s Technology Research Division, mainly presented the process of cloud AI platform based 'AhnLab Intelligence Expansion (AI-X).' She went over the development process of threat response technology and the necessity of AI, along with AhnLab’s roadmap.

Finally, Chang-Ha Ryu, Team Leader of Strategic Planning Team, concluded with the discussion with the 'Open Innovation' ecosystem created by the cybersecurity mesh.