BackBox 8.0 automates hybrid network security & compliance

BackBox has announced the release of BackBox 8.0, a platform designed to unify and automate cyber resilience management for networks combining on-premise and cloud-based infrastructure.

The update addresses ongoing challenges faced by enterprises as they balance traditional hardware with cloud-managed systems, especially with the increasing adoption of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) environments. The complexity of these hybrid networks, coupled with the use of multiple management tools, often hinders comprehensive visibility and coordination of security processes across organisations.

BackBox 8.0 is positioned as a response to these trends, providing a single dashboard that allows organisations to oversee and control security measures, compliance requirements, and device lifecycle management for both on-premise and cloud-managed network assets.

Unified network overview

The update delivers a new platform home page that offers a complete overview of an organisation's cyber resilience across three principal areas: Automated Lifecycle Management, Configuration Compliance and Policy Management, and Network Infrastructure Integrity. This interface grants immediate insights into whether a network aligns with established best practices and security policies, which is intended to support more proactive risk management strategies.

"Network cyber resilience is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is a complex issue, and each organization begins from a different starting point, with its unique vendors, tools, and progress made," said Rekha Shenoy, CEO of BackBox. "BackBox 8.0 is designed to accommodate this reality by providing a unified view of your modern network infrastructure, seamlessly integrating on-prem and cloud-managed elements. This enables enhanced network security, compliance, and lifecycle management automation, bolstering your organization's overall cyber resilience."

Automation and compliance

BackBox 8.0 introduces several features that automate manual processes in network management. Device Lifecycle Governance enables teams to define stages such as Staging, Active, Maintenance, Ignored, and Orphaned for any device, supporting compliance verifications and licence management throughout its lifespan.

The update also enhances support for Meraki device management, addressing the shift within enterprises toward cloud-managed networks. According to BackBox, 33% of enterprises are deploying or will deploy SASE technology within the next 24 months, despite previous investments in hardware that typically have a lifespan of four to seven years. The new Meraki capabilities allow for scheduled imports into a staging environment for compliance checks, identification of orphaned devices, and ongoing validation against both industry and custom security policies. The platform additionally checks for configuration vulnerabilities and provides guidance on potential workarounds.

Another area of expansion is Network Infrastructure Integrity. The new platform includes CVE Workaround Insights, informing administrators of available configuration adjustments that can mitigate risks without immediate patching or upgrades. BackBox cited data indicating 40,009 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) were recorded in 2024 - a 38% increase from the previous year - alongside a 34% increase in attacker exploitation of vulnerabilities for initial access.

Regulatory support and reporting

With regulatory demands such as DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act) influencing network management, BackBox 8.0 enables users to create device inventory and configuration comparison reports across different dates, simplifying audit and compliance processes. Organisations can also assess compliance status for every device, with instant indications if a device passes, fails, or remains unchecked.

The company stated that 67% of enterprise networking activities are currently done manually, a figure associated with lower incident response and change management performance. By automating these processes, the platform aims to reduce manual intervention and bolster adherence to organisational and regulatory standards.

Scott Nursten, CEO of ITHQ, said, "We have always been focused on ensuring that the businesses we serve remain resilient. BackBox delivers greater visibility into on-prem and cloud-managed/SASE devices, which in turn delivers confidence that all devices are up-to-date and secure. Its reliable, automated backups, patches, and compliance checks take care of many tasks that were once manual, allowing us to stay focused on the bigger picture of protecting our customers."

BackBox 8.0 will be available from July and supports network devices from over 180 vendors, offering pre-built automations as well as the ability to create new ones without code.