What term refers to the reduction of boundaries between an organization and external environments?

The term "de-perimeterization" refers to the concept of reducing the traditional boundaries that separate an organization's internal environment from external environments. In the context of cybersecurity and IT networks, this term reflects the idea that the perimeter security model, which relies heavily on firewalls and other perimeter defenses, is becoming less effective as organizations increasingly adopt cloud services, mobile workforces, and remote access solutions.

De-perimeterization acknowledges that threats can originate from both inside and outside the organization, as users access data and resources from various locations and devices. Consequently, organizations must implement a more holistic and distributed security approach, focusing on securing data and endpoints individually rather than relying solely on perimeter defenses. This shift emphasizes the importance of identity and access management, endpoint security, and data protection regardless of where the data is accessed or processed.

Understanding this concept is crucial for developing effective security policies and practices that address the evolving landscape of cyber threats, where the boundaries are becoming less defined.