Segmentation Impact Study for Financial Services Industry

This technical report presents the findings of the Akamai Segmentation Impact Study focused on the financial services industry, highlighting the cybersecurity challenges faced by institutions within this sector. The study reveals that a significant majority of financial services organizations have encountered ransomware attacks, with 79% reporting such incidents in the past two years. Despite high investments in traditional security measures, many institutions have not adopted advanced microsegmentation strategies, which are essential for preventing lateral movement by attackers. The report details the current state of cybersecurity technologies adopted by financial institutions, noting that while traditional network segmentation is prevalent, the adoption of microsegmentation remains limited. The study emphasizes the importance of segmentation in enhancing operational resilience, achieving regulatory compliance, and improving cybersecurity insurance terms. It also discusses the barriers to effective segmentation, including network complexity and implementation costs, while outlining how Akamai's solutions can facilitate the adoption of microsegmentation in financial services.