🦛The Dumb Idea of Agent Bloat | Unraveling the Cybersecurity Quagmire😱

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, one particular dumb idea seems to persist, casting a dark shadow over the very essence of efficient security measures: Agent bloat. This misguided approach involves loading an excessive number of security agents onto end-point devices, ultimately jeopardizing system performance, user experience, and potentially opening up new vectors for exploitation.

The IoT Debacle | A Lesson in Misplaced Security

Recently, a security vendor proudly announced their groundbreaking move of placing a security agent on Internet of Things (IoT) devices. A decision that left many cybersecurity enthusiasts scratching their heads. IoT devices, by nature, demand low power consumption, low bit rates, and inherent security at the application level. Security agents, with their resource-intensive nature, are ill-suited for the delicate balance required by IoT functionality.

For example, imagine an IoT-enabled thermostat bogged down by a security agent, rendering it less responsive and potentially exposing it to new vulnerabilities. This misalignment of security tactics with the unique needs of IoT devices is a prime example of the consequences of agent bloat.

A Trip Down Memory Lane | Windows & the Antivirus Overload

The saga of agent bloat traces its roots back to the mid-'90s, with the advent of major Windows releases. PCs were often shipped with bulky antivirus (AV) agents like Norton, Symantec, or McAfee. These agents, infamous for consuming excessive power and bit rates, plagued users with sluggish boot times and overall system performance degradation.

Fast forward to the present, and users are still grappling with the repercussions of the antivirus legacy. It's as if these agents have been on a futile quest for extraterrestrial life, as they collectively waste processing time that could power a small nation.

The Lament of Laptop Users & A Dozen Agents Too Many

In some egregious cases, laptops from a certain bank are shipped with a staggering 11 security agents. The absurdity of this situation forces these laptops to be equipped with i7 processors, as anything less would render business applications nearly unusable. This excess of security agents has turned these devices into a playground for mindless zombies, feasting on precious processing power.

The impact of this agent bloat is so severe that laptops lacking solid-state drives (SSD) face premature death due to the strain imposed by poorly programmed security agents. And now, in a seemingly reckless move, security vendors propose adding agents that devour a substantial 250MB, potentially creating a new supply chain vulnerability for malicious actors to exploit.

Blue Screen of Death Day

An example of bloat happened on Friday, 19 July when Crowdstrike triggered global outages as there bloated agent caused chaos. Much of what the agent does is a duplication of other cybersecurity measures.

This triggered the larges IT outage in world history!

Security Should Be Lean and Mean

In the face of these challenges, it's imperative to recognize that security should be agile, targeted, and have minimal impact on system resources. Being slow is not synonymous with being secure. Security agents, in their current state, resemble nothing more than diapers on a person suffering from diarrhea – an uncomfortable and inefficient solution to a problem that demands a more thoughtful approach.

Wrapping up, the era of agent bloat needs to come to an end. Cybersecurity should adapt to the unique demands of different devices and systems, focusing on efficiency, agility, and a targeted approach to threats. Let's bid farewell to the era of mindless zombies and usher in an age where security is synonymous with optimization, not hindrance.

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Ronald Bartels ensures that Internet inhabiting things are connected reliably online at Fusion Broadband South Africa - the leading specialized SD-WAN provider in South Africa. Learn more about the best SD-WAN in the world: 👉 Contact Fusion