In the rapidly evolving landscape of cybersecurity, no vendor should claim their product is effective unless they are transparent with their users and release their Cyber Transparency Metrics. At Xcitium, we believe that transparency and accountability are paramount. This is why we are inviting our competitors, CrowdStrike and SentinelOne, to follow our lead and publicly share their Cyber Transparency Metrics.
Today, cybersecurity is often sold with fluffy marketing content rather than real, audited, certified historical evidence-based data. Such a vital aspect as cybersecurity should be based on transparency and real hard data, not marketing fluff. Take the automotive industry, for example. Car manufacturers provide extensive historical crash statistics and safety records to prove the reliability and safety of their vehicles. Similarly, the aviation industry adheres to strict safety standards, regularly publishing incident reports, safety audits, and performance metrics based on real-world data. These industries rely on hard data and transparency to build trust and ensure the safety of their products. Cybersecurity should be no different. Customers deserve to make informed decisions based on clear, evidence-based data, not just marketing promises.
The Automotive & Aviation Industry: A Case Study in Data Transparency
In today’s world, transparency and data-driven decision-making are crucial for building trust in any industry. The automotive and aviation sectors have long set benchmarks in this regard, leveraging extensive historical data to ensure the safety and reliability of their products.
Volvo’s Commitment to Safety
Volvo has been a pioneer in automotive safety, utilizing real-world accident data to enhance the safety features of its vehicles. Since the 1970s, Volvo’s Traffic Accident Research Team has analyzed data from over 50,000 cars and more than 80,000 occupants involved in real-world accidents. This comprehensive dataset has led to significant safety innovations, such as the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and inflatable curtain airbags, which have been proven to reduce injuries in actual crash scenarios. By openly sharing this data, Volvo demonstrates a commitment to transparency and continuous improvement in vehicle safety. [Learn more about Volvo’s safety research]
Tesla’s Quarterly Safety Reports
Tesla also prioritizes transparency through its quarterly Vehicle Safety Reports. These reports provide detailed statistics on crash rates per mile driven, both with and without Autopilot technology. For instance, in the fourth quarter of 2022, Tesla recorded one crash for every 4.85 million miles driven with Autopilot, compared to one crash for every 1.40 million miles without it. By publishing this data, Tesla allows consumers to make informed decisions based on empirical evidence, rather than marketing claims. [Explore Tesla’s safety reports]
IATA’s Annual Safety Reports
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) exemplifies transparency in the aviation sector. IATA releases annual safety performance reports, which include comprehensive data on accidents, incidents, and safety metrics. These reports detail the number of fatal accidents, the fatality risk, and the overall accident rate, providing a clear picture of aviation safety trends. For example, in 2022, IATA reported a fatal accident rate of 0.16 per million sectors, a significant improvement over previous years. This level of detailed reporting helps build trust and ensures the continuous enhancement of safety standards in aviation. [Read IATA’s safety performance reports]
Transparency in Cybersecurity: A Critical Need
Despite the high stakes, the cybersecurity industry lags in providing evidence-based performance data to its consumers. A recent regulation by the US government requires public companies to disclose breaches publicly, yet the cybersecurity vendors responsible for protecting these companies are not held to the same standard. This discrepancy undermines trust and accountability in the cybersecurity sector. Just as Volvo and Tesla use real-world data to validate their safety features and IATA publishes comprehensive safety metrics, cybersecurity companies should adopt similar practices. Customers deserve to make informed decisions based on transparent, data-driven insights, rather than vague assurances.
Conclusion
The automotive and aviation industries have set high standards for transparency and data-driven decision-making, ensuring the safety and trust of their consumers. By adopting similar practices, the cybersecurity industry can improve its credibility and effectiveness. In an era where digital threats are constantly evolving, transparency and rigorous data analysis are indispensable for building trust and ensuring robust cybersecurity. By embracing the lessons from these established industries, cybersecurity firms can enhance their transparency, build greater trust with their customers, and ultimately provide more effective security solutions.
It’s time for the cybersecurity industry to step up and be accountable, release your Cyber Transparency Metrics!