Article

All-in-one solution VS Best-of-breed solution: Which to choose?

4 min
July 25, 2024

Equipping yourself with the right software for your cybersecurity needs can seem complicated. Indeed, every tool presents itself as the best, yet just because it's supposedly the best doesn't mean it's the best for you.

In this article, we'll introduce you to the two main types of solution on the market, their advantages and disadvantages.

In the end, you'll be able to determine which solution is best suited to your business and your needs!

Let's get started!

Best-of-breed solutions: presentation, advantages and disadvantages

Overview

A “Best-of-breed” solution is one that specializes in a specific use case, and is considered the best solution for that problem.

Advantages

There are several advantages to using a Best-of-breed solution:

  • Specialization and expertise. Generally developed to deal with a specific problem, Best-of-breed software is adapted to a particular sector of activity. That's why a Best-of-breed solution is the best available on the market for your needs.
  • Integration with existing systems. In most cases, Best-of-breed solutions are compatible with the most widely used software, so you can quickly integrate them into your working environment.
  • Innovative and up-to-date. These solutions are continually updated, so you can take advantage of the latest features.

Disadvantages

However, Best-of-breed solutions also have a number of disadvantages:

  • Cost. More than the simple use of Best-of-breed software, it's the multiplication of such software that becomes costly and puts a significant strain on a company's budget.
  • Management. The more Best-of-breed software you have, the more complicated and time-consuming it becomes to administer.
  • Compatibility. In some cases, these programs invent specific functionality, which then complicates their integration with other software.

All-in-one solutions: presentation, advantages and disadvantages

Overview

Conversely, an “all-in-one” solution is one capable of covering multiple use cases or verticals from the same interface.

For example, Bastion is an “all-in-one” solution that takes care of your company's cybersecurity for you: with just one tool to deploy, you put your company's security on auto-pilot with Bastion, so you can concentrate on your core business with complete peace of mind.

Benefits

Here are the advantages of using an all-in-one solution:

  • Cost savings. Using an all-in-one solution is less expensive than a Best-of-breed solution.

Did you know? Using an all-in-one solution can save you between 30% and 40% compared with a Best-of-breed solution.

  • Easier management. Dealing with a single software package is less time-consuming, and gives you a quick overview.
  • Compatibility. All-in-one” solutions are designed and developed to adapt quickly to any working environment. As a result, integration with standard office software is generally straightforward.

Disadvantages

While there are many advantages to using an all-in-one solution, we can list some disadvantages:

  • Reduced flexibility and dependency. Committing to a partner who develops a solution can in some cases lead to a form of vendor dependency.
  • Difficult migration. It can be time-consuming to migrate from one all-in-one software package to another.

So, to avoid these disadvantages, it's best to choose your all-in-one software carefully!

All-in-one solution VS Best-of-breed solution: how to choose?

Before opting for an “all-in-one” or “best-of-breed” solution, it's vital to establish not only your needs in terms of functionality, but also your future requirements, to avoid unnecessary and time-consuming changes of solution in the future.

You also need to be aware that an “All-in-One” solution is no less effective than a Best-of-breed solution. Admittedly less expensive, an all-in-one solution is not designed to have reduced functionality compared to a “Best-of-breed” solution, but rather to offer a wide range of synergistic tools!

Next, you need to define the budget you wish to allocate to this solution. On this point, and particularly in terms of cyber spending, you should be aware that ANSSI recommends that companies invest 5 to 10% of their budget in cybersecurity.

Finally, the type of business you're in may point you towards one solution rather than another. If you're a CAC40 group, you may have a greater need for regulatory solutions. On the other hand, if you're a small or medium-sized business, you'll have more freedom of choice, and it may be a good idea to acquire an all-in-one solution that will meet many of your needs. In fact, as an SMB, you won't necessarily need the most advanced functionalities offered by “best-of-breed” software.

Choosing Bastion, the ideal combination

Whether you're a CAC40 group or an SME, choosing the right software is a key step in your development.

Depending on your needs and criteria, it may be wiser to opt for a Best-of-breed solution, or conversely, for an all-in-one solution.

With Bastion, there's no need to multiply the number of equally costly cybersecurity solutions: it's all in one place!

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