As cyber threats continue to evolve and become more advanced, the demands placed on internal IT security teams within organizations have never been greater. These teams are overwhelmed with the never-ending responsibilities of implementing new security tools, monitoring networks and endpoints around the clock for threats or suspicious activity, responding quickly to incidents, updating and patching systems regularly, and ensuring compliance with numerous privacy regulations. It has become virtually impossible for most businesses to dedicate the level of manpower and resources needed to properly manage their security posture internally on a constant basis.
The Emergence of Outsourced Security Experts
To relieve the pressure on overworked internal IT security divisions and gain access to a higher level of security expertise, many companies have turned to managed security service providers (MSSPs) to outsource some or all aspects of their security operations. MSSPs are dedicated security firms that offer managed detection and response, threat hunting, log management, vulnerability management, security incident response, and other services designed to augment or replace a business' in-house security team on a contractual basis. They employ security engineers, analysts, threat hunters and other specialists who focus solely on delivering security solutions and monitoring for threats all day every day.
The Value Proposition of MSSPs
There are numerous advantages for businesses that partner with reputable MSSPs:
- Access to seasoned security experts: MSSPs employ full-time security engineers and analysts who stay up to date on the latest threats and have deep expertise that may exceed the capabilities of in-house teams.
- Scalability: MSSP services scale based on need, allowing businesses flexibility to add or remove services as threats or requirements change without making large staffing adjustments.
- Cost effectiveness: The outsourced model makes security more affordable for many SMBs and even larger enterprises compared to sustaining specialized internal teams. MSSPs achieve economies of scale.
- Operational efficiency: Companies gain visibility and control of their environments through an MSSP's security tools and 24/7 monitoring without resource-intensive POC implementations and operations.
- Compliance expertise: Most MSSPs offer compliance tracking and auditing assistance to satisfy various industry regulations such as PCI, HIPAA, ISO, etc.
- Resource allocation: Internal staff can focus on strategic initiatives rather than daily security operations, increasing productivity.
- Continuous monitoring: Professional security analysts monitor environments around the clock to proactively block attacks and speed incident response before damage occurs.
With these advantages, it is no surprise that adoption of MSSP services has grown significantly in recent years as outsourcing security operations has become a best practice for most organizations. Gartner estimates that the managed security services market will grow to over $37 billion globally by 2026.
Top Considerations When Evaluating an Managed Security Service Provider
With the many options available, proper vetting is important when selecting an MSSP. Here are some areas companies should evaluate:
- Security expertise and certifications of staff. Determine if they employ analysts with recognized credentials.
- Breadth and maturity of security services portfolio. Make sure an MSSP can meet current and future needs across different security domains.
- Quality and robustness of security monitoring tools used. Check independent reviews of the MSSP's technological platform.
- References from customers of similar size/industry for reliable performance validation. Speaking to peers is invaluable.
- Contract terms regarding service level agreements and response/remediation timeframes. Expectations should align.
- Pricing model transparency with no hidden fees. Understand all recurring and usage-based charges upfront.
- Customer support experience ratings. Make sure the MSSP has a strong reputation for responsiveness.
- Length of time in business and financial stability. Longevity ensures ongoing service provision.
- Compliance with critical security standards like ISO 27001. Essential for regulated sectors.
Thoroughly vetting prospective MSSPs across these facets and others, organizations can feel assured they are partnering with proven experts who will satisfy their security needs now and in the future. The right managed services relationship should take a substantial workload off internal teams while improving overall security posture.
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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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