Breaks down vendor constraints for enhanced security data management from Avnet

In a strategic move, electronics distributor Avnet has partnered with Splunk to redesign its security data architecture and leverage its data more effectively. This decision marks a new direction for the company, as it walks away from a legacy SIEM renewal.

The shift away from the traditional SIEM system presents an opportunity for Avnet to set a fresh course. According to industry expert Chan, treating vendor renewal cycles as chances for a change in strategy is a valuable approach.

Avnet is considering Retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), an AI-powered tool, to enhance its GenAI models and minimise "AI hallucinations". The company is also actively evaluating AI tools like LLMs tailored for security, similar to Microsoft's Security Copilot.

The fruits of Avnet's data management project have been recognised with a 2025 CSO Award. This prestigious honour is bestowed upon security projects that demonstrate outstanding thought leadership and business value.

Looking ahead, Avnet plans to extend its data management architecture to areas like cloud security posture management, attack surface management, and new AI-based use cases.

The benefits of AI-assisted security insights are transformative for Avnet. These insights enable their analysts to speed up investigations and uncover trends, enhancing the company's overall security posture.

For a successful move to data ownership, it's crucial to balance technology with people and process, asserts Chan. Investing time in gaining buy-in from stakeholders is equally important as building the platform. To get people on board with a shift, it's important to align regional teams, earn trust, and clearly communicate the reasons behind the change.

Industry leaders and award-winning projects like Avnet's can be learned from at the CSO Conference & Awards. By attending this event, one can gain valuable insights into the future of security data architecture and AI-powered tools in the industry.