In the latest episode of the Expert Insights Podcast, Expert Insights sat down with Brian McHenry, the Head of Cloud Security Engineering at Check Point Software.
McHenry is responsible for the customer-facing engineering resources for Check Point’s CloudGuard suite. CloudGuard covers a range of security services Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPPs), Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), and cloud identity management.
In this episode, McHenry shares his insights on tackling cloud security challenges, the evolution of security strategies, and key advice for security teams as they navigate 2025.
Listen here on the Expert Insights Podcast:
Understanding the Cloud Security Landscape
McHenry starts by emphasizing the complexity of cloud security: “The number one thing is just getting your arms around the problem. What are my assets? What’s my inventory?”
McHenry identifies two prominent challenges organizations face:
- Asset Management and Exposure: Knowing what assets exist, their exposure levels, and attack surfaces is crucial.
- Tool Consolidation: Managing security across various cloud environments often leads to tool overload. Check Point offers a cloud-agnostic solution to help organizations manage these complexities efficiently.
Principles for Effective Cloud Security Strategy
Check Point Software’s approach to cloud solutions prioritizes deep dive solution architecture. By engaging with clients, McHenry’s team helps clarify the specific needs for cloud environments and builds tailored solutions.
McHenry advises that organizations should evaluate vendors based on alignment and attention to their specific needs. He recommends that organizations prioritize tailored partnerships, with a focus on effectiveness and scalability.
McHenry also highlights consolidation trends, highlighting the debate between single-platform solutions and best-of-breed components. “We are best of breed in some areas and a platform play for others,” he explains, emphasizing the flexibility required to meet varying customer needs.
Future Trends and Advice for 2025
AI is transforming the security landscape and McHenry highlights how teams should be using AI tools to enhance agility and operational ease. AI’s role in streamlining onboarding and operational scalability is increasingly important for effective security management.
McHenry anticipates a growing focus on Data Security Posture Management (DSPM), citing data’s critical role in the security equation: “Ultimately the data is the thing. The network, the application, the cloud, they’re all paths to data.” Enhanced DSPM tooling, powered by AI will continue to drive improvements in securing data at its source.
Finally, McHenry advises security teams to educate themselves on cloud networking and make inventory management a priority. “Inventory your assets in the cloud is the number one first step to getting secured.”
He also encourages smaller businesses to explore managed security services to overcome resource limitations without compromising security.
Listen to the Full Podcast Episode:
With rapid advancements in cloud technology and security, the insights shared by Brian McHenry highlight the importance of strategic planning and adaptability for organizations of all sizes. For more in the full discussion, listen to the full episode embedded above.
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