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Attack patterns may be familiar, but defenders cannot contain what they cannot map. In a TechRadar Pro Perspectives article published August 19, 2026, Raghu Nandakumara, VP of Industry Strategy at Illumio, argues that the deeper security gap is not a lack of alerts: it is a lack of reliable context about how applications, identities, devices, and workloads connect. Without that map, a team may detect suspicious activity yet struggle to tell which routes matter or where to isolate a threat.
Why does observability matter to security?
Security teams need more than a list of assets. They need to understand the relationships between systems: which applications rely on which workloads, which identities can reach them, and what paths connect one environment to another. That context helps teams assess whether an alert represents a meaningful route through the organization and choose a containment action that limits disruption.
Nandakumara’s argument is that common weaknesses become more dangerous when defenders cannot see those connections. He summarizes the point this way: “What remains unpredictable is not attacker behavior, but organizational defense.” This is an opinion from an Illumio executive, not an independent research finding.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →What do the reported figures say—and what can they establish?
The TechRadar article cites “our Containment Gap research” for attack vectors and security-team response. Its page does not identify the underlying report’s publisher, year, sample, geography, or methodology. Treat the figures as claims reported by the article, not universal benchmarks or independently verifiable rates.
#1 Best Overall
- VERSATILE CABLE TESTING: Cable tester tests voice (RJ11/12), data (RJ45), and video (coax F-connector) terminated cables, providing clear results for comprehensive testing on unenergized Ethernet cables (not designed to test PoE)
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| Measure | Figure reported | Attribution and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| IT vulnerabilities | 66% | “Our Containment Gap research,” as reported by TechRadar; publisher and year not stated on the page. |
| Credential theft and privilege escalation | 45% | “Our Containment Gap research,” as reported by TechRadar; publisher and year not stated on the page. |
| Zero-day vulnerabilities | 23% | “Our Containment Gap research,” as reported by TechRadar; publisher and year not stated on the page. |
| Professionals confident they can detect unauthorized lateral movement | 95% | Research cited by the article; underlying publisher and year not stated on the page. |
| Respondents able to isolate a compromised workload near-real-time | 17% | Research cited by the article; underlying publisher and year not stated on the page. |
| Respondents taking a few hours or longer to contain an incident | 51% | Research cited by the article; underlying publisher and year not stated on the page. |
| Average time to achieve lateral movement | 29 minutes | Attributed by the article to CrowdStrike; report title, edition, and year are not named on the page. |
The figures, as presented, suggest a possible gap between confidence in detection and the ability to contain an incident quickly. Because key report details are absent, they cannot establish how common that gap is across organizations or how it varies by industry and region.
How can teams see how an attacker could move between systems?
Build and maintain a view of actual dependencies and access paths, not just an asset inventory. The relevant view connects applications, identities, devices, and workloads so defenders can reason about what a compromised account or system could reach. The TechRadar article does not prescribe a particular implementation or product; it emphasizes that both reducing routes in advance and isolating systems during an incident depend on understanding those connections.
Rank #2
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- PoE Testing and Cable Length Test: PoE testing can check cable mapping polarity and voltage of PoE network switches, withstand 60VDC. Automatically detects and switches between 10M/100M/1000M modes, Includes cable tracking, short circuit test, interruption of circuit test and etc The RJ45 cable tester can quickly measure the length of the cable with a range of 200m. Not only network cables, but also phone lines and BNC cables.
- Map relationships: identify which identities and workloads communicate with which applications and services.
- Use the map to reduce unnecessary paths: segmentation can limit the routes available if one component is compromised.
- Use the map during response: context helps teams choose a compromised workload or connection for isolation rather than acting on an alert without understanding its dependencies.
Why can TLS 1.3 complicate network visibility?
Encryption creates a specific design challenge for monitoring. NIST explains that TLS 1.3’s forward-secrecy approach protects prior communications even if a TLS-enabled server is later compromised, but can interfere with passive decryption methods organizations have used to inspect TLS 1.2 traffic. NIST’s final Special Publication 1800-37, published September 17, 2025, states: “Adoption of the TLS 1.3 protocol can disrupt current approaches to observing and monitoring internal network communications within an enterprise.”
This does not mean all encrypted traffic is invisible or that passive inspection is the only way to monitor security. NIST documents standards-compliant options for maintaining TLS 1.3 visibility, including builds intended to support real-time and post-facto monitoring and analytics. Its publication describes proofs of concept, not a universal deployment recipe; organizations need to choose an approach that fits their architecture and preserves the protocol’s security properties.
Rank #3
- Anti-Interference Tracing with NCV: Digital decoding ensures noise-free, accurate tracing with Normal, Anti-Interference, and PoE modes; supports live cable tracing up to 600m and includes an NCV pen for non-contact AC detection
- 1-to-1 Continuity and Fault Testing: Pairs with the remote adapter to test RJ45 shielded and unshielded cables for short circuits, open circuits, miswiring, and normal connections; supports 8-pin network and 9-pin shielded cables
- 2.5–200m Length Measurement: Measures each twisted pair of CAT5/CAT6 cables and displays results in meters, feet, or yards; helps locate breaks and verify cable runs within the 2.5–200m range
- POE and Port Flash/Link Testing: Tests DC 5–60V standard and non-standard PoE, identifies IEEE 802.3af/at, and shows power method, voltage, and polarity; also supports 10M/100M/1000M port flash and Link test
- Complete Kit with Rechargeable Transmitter: Includes transmitter, receiver, remote adapter, cable set, tool bag, 9V battery, and Type-C cable; transmitter uses a 3.7V 950mAh rechargeable battery, receiver uses 9V, with LED light
What should a containment approach include?
The article’s recommendation combines two measures that address different stages of risk. Proactive segmentation reduces unnecessary communication paths before an incident. Reactive isolation limits a compromised workload promptly after detection. Neither substitutes for the other: segmentation can reduce potential movement, while isolation is still needed when a system is compromised.
For an enterprise evaluating segmentation or breach-containment software, the useful questions are whether it can represent relationships among applications, identities, devices, and workloads; support both path reduction and incident isolation; and provide an approach to encrypted-traffic visibility compatible with TLS 1.3. The article’s author works at Illumio, so its framing and recommendations should be read with that affiliation in mind; it does not establish a neutral product comparison or identify a specific product as the required solution.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EASY WIRE TRACING: Simple analog tone generator and wire tracing probe for open-ended, non-active low-voltage wires, making wire tracing hassle-free (<60v)
- OPTIMIZE SIGNAL FOR BEST RESULTS: Separate wires when possible and use proper grounding to improve tone detection and accuracy
- ALLIGATOR CLIPS INCLUDED: Comes with alligator clips for easy connection to unterminated wires, providing convenience during testing
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- COMPREHENSIVE WIRE MAPPING: Toner and probe together perform a pin-to-pin wire map test, ensuring thorough wire mapping and identification
Rank #4
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- Dual Scan Modes for Precise Diagnostics: Fast and Slow test modes enable flexible troubleshooting. LED indicators on both master and remote units clearly reflect pin-to-pin mapping, allowing accurate identification of wiring faults.
- Split-Module Architecture: The detachable master and remote units support long-distance and in-wall cable verification. Ideal for structured cabling, patch panels and distributed network installations.
- Robust & Compact Construction: Built with a durable ABS enclosure, the tester remains lightweight and easy to carry. Whether for technicians, DIY users, or electricians, this pocket-sized tool is perfect for quick diagnostics and routine maintenance.
- Safe Line Testing & Simple Control: One-switch operation ensures straightforward testing. LED output displays wiring status, while the shield indicator identifies FTP/STP vs. UTP cables. Supports safe testing on telephone lines within standard operating voltages.
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