Adapting To Rising Costs And Constant Threats

Is the endpoint still just a device, or has it quietly become one of the most important control points in modern enterprise security?
Recording live from IGEL Now And Next in Miami, I sat down once again with Darren Fields for what has become an annual check-in on how fast the industry is really changing. And this time, the conversation feels very different.

Over the last 12 months, the discussion has moved well beyond traditional endpoint management. From global supply chain pressure driven by AI demand to rising hardware costs and unpredictable refresh cycles, the assumptions that once shaped endpoint strategy are starting to fall apart. Darren shares how organizations are now being forced into difficult decisions, absorb rising costs, delay investment, or rethink the model entirely.

We also explore how that shift is changing the conversation at the leadership level. What was once seen as a procurement decision is increasingly being reframed as a resilience strategy. Extending hardware life, reducing dependency on supply chains, and maintaining operational continuity are becoming just as important as performance and cost.

Security, of course, sits at the center of it all. With the majority of breaches still originating at the endpoint, Darren highlights how organizations are starting to rethink where they focus their efforts. Rather than focusing solely on data centers and cloud environments, there is growing recognition that control, visibility, and enforcement must occur at the edge.

The conversation also touches on the reality of modern cyber threats. From constant attack attempts to incidents that leave organizations offline for weeks, the challenge is no longer just restoring systems but restoring access. And that shift has major implications for how recovery and continuity are designed moving forward.

We also look at the growing convergence of IT and OT, the role of contextual access, and the balancing act between stronger security and user experience. With organizations at very different stages of their journey, there is no single path forward, but there is a clear sense that change is already underway.

So as the pace of technology, risk, and demand continues to accelerate, one question remains. Are organizations adapting fast enough, or are they still relying on models that no longer reflect the world they are operating in?

What do you think, are we finally seeing a shift toward treating the endpoint as a strategic priority, or is there still a gap between awareness and action?