Why Every New Security Standard Is Just Another Business Model

For decades, we’ve been told that new security standards and best practices make our systems safer. Yet strangely, with every new version of ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and ITIL, security incidents keep increasing. How can this be? The answer is simple: The growing flood of compliance regulations is not about protecting your data but about maximizing profits for the security industry.

The Compliance Carousel – A Perpetual Motion Machine of Insecurity

Have you ever wondered why no standard is ever declared "complete"? Why there’s always a new version being released? This is no accident.

1️⃣ A new standard is published.
2️⃣ Security firms sell you consulting services.
3️⃣ Auditors check your implementation.
4️⃣ An update to the standard is announced.
5️⃣ Your previous investment becomes obsolete.
6️⃣ Back to step 1.

And meanwhile? Your system remains just as vulnerable as before.

The "Secure" Firewall – A Protective Wall for Attackers?

Do you have a certified firewall? Congratulations! That means your network is now officially secure – according to security policies from five years ago. While your auditor is busy checking off a list to ensure your firewall rules are properly documented, attackers are already using new methods to bypass them.

The truth is: If your firewall were truly secure, why would you need a new update every year?

Penetration Testing – The Most Expensive Theater Ticket of Your Life

Every year, companies spend millions on penetration tests, only to receive a PDF confirming that their systems are – surprise! – vulnerable.

And then what happens? Nothing. The budget for the next test is already planned, the vulnerabilities remain, and at the next audit, the only thing checked is whether the last report was properly archived.

Security as a Business Model – Who Really Benefits?

Let’s be honest: The true purpose of the IT security industry is not protection, but revenue.

✅ ISO 27001 does not protect data – it protects against liability claims.
✅ PCI DSS does not prevent fraud – it merely regulates who is liable when fraud occurs.
✅ TISAX does not make the automotive industry safer – it just documents who is to blame when things go wrong.

Conclusion: Do What Truly Secure Systems Do – Don’t Exist

The only 100% secure IT infrastructure is the one that has never been connected to the internet. But since that’s not an option for modern businesses, one truth remains:

Security is an illusion. But a very expensive one.

Read more on Security-Management.org while you still can.