Businesses can obtain network security services from a managed security service provider (MSSP). An MSSP, acting as a third party, can relieve the burden on IT personnel and free up valuable time that the company needs to sustain and grow its operations.
This article will look at how MSSPs might help a company operate more efficiently.
What is a Managed Security Service Provider?
Managed security services are third-party organizations that provide cybersecurity services to businesses to oversee and control their security procedures. Managed security service providers (MSSPs) typically leverage the cloud to provide services both locally and remotely. MSSPs offer a wide range of security services, including incident response, security management, and infrastructure setup. While some managed security service providers specialize in specific areas, others completely outsource an organization’s information security program.
Due to a lack of internal security expertise or resources and the need for security management and monitoring during regular business hours, organizations choose to work with MSSPs. Under different conditions, companies will use managed security service providers to conduct security audits.
What do Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) do?
When you use an MSSP, you are outsourcing the management and keeping a watchful eye over security devices and systems. IT teams can focus on other projects that advance company goals when vital security systems are under the control of an outside party. Typical services consist of:
#1. Managed firewall:
A managed firewall is a type of service that employs security specialists to implement enhanced threat management. These experts keep a close eye on your firewall and take action in the event of a threat. The network traffic on your system is closely examined to look for and identify trends. Then a warning is sent out, and the possible threat is dealt with when an occurrence deviates from these parameters.
#2. Intrusion detection:
Intrusion detection entails analyzing every part, individual, and piece of software or network. A competent MSSP will safeguard all systems and devices and ensure that malicious actors cannot use them to compromise other systems within or outside of your company. This is known as intrusion detection.
#3. Virtual private network (VPN):
A VPN can be set up to safely conceal the activities of your company. The attack surface is greatly reduced with a private VPN since it is protected from other users’ intrusion. Your MSSP only needs to put security measures in place to protect the network from those users and their devices if only the necessary users are allowed access to the VPN.
#4. Vulnerability scanning:
A critical first step is to detect potential attacks, but an MSSP also looks for network weaknesses. Occasionally, these contain places of business and confidential information, which are prime targets for online fraudsters. In other situations, a weakness two or three degrees away from a target can be used to breach locations or systems that thieves wish to access. Whether a vulnerability is within, next to, or a few degrees from an attack surface, an MSSP can identify it.
With its resources, an MSSP can focus on the viruses that are most likely to cause immediate harm to your network and its users. After that, the MSSP can create a portfolio of antiviral services that target the most noticeable dangers. Furthermore, network-wide antiviral actions can be taken at different nodes and locations. Antivirus solutions, for instance, can be set up to satisfy the security requirements of internal servers, and distinct solutions can be created for cloud servers.
What are the benefits of using Managed Security Services?
Organizations that want to improve their security should consider managed security service providers because:
#1. Constant surveillance:
Managed security services are provided on a daily, weekly, and annual basis and offer round-the-clock surveillance. It costs a lot of money to staff and maintain technology when managing corporate security internally, as opposed to outsourcing.
#2. They have the right tools:
Cyber dangers are expanding at a startling rate, posing a constant concern. Without the right security tools and resources, keeping up with evolving risks, responding to threats as they arise, and recovering from events discovered too late can all require a substantial investment of time and money.
#3. They are cybersecurity experts:
The majority of MSSPs operate internationally, and their focus on threat monitoring offers them a major competitive advantage over companies whose primary business function is unrelated to technology or security. MSSPs are therefore specialists in early threat identification.
#4. They detect breaches.
For businesses that handle a lot of sensitive or proprietary data, discovering a breach after it has already happened can be disastrous. Managed security solutions are continuous measures, not just one-time assessments. Because they are continuously monitoring, they can identify disturbances as they happen. They even use a combination of automated and manual penetration testing to evaluate the firewall’s strength.
#5. Real-time monitoring:
MSSPs leverage near-real-time data correlation across various firewall systems to enable strong analytics for monitoring and administration. Moreover, they stop unauthorized access to networks and data theft by using network IDPS support, alerts, and monitoring across the infrastructure.
#6. They save your business money.
Hiring an MSSP also saves the company money because these vendors can handle other security management responsibilities like vulnerability and penetration testing, regular security scans, and other security management tasks. This allows enterprise IT to concentrate on managing security programs and other operations that further the goals of the company.
The best Managed Security Service Provider
#1: SecureWorks
SecureWorks, which is mostly owned by Dell, provides a robust range of services for end users. SecureWorks has developed a robust suite of products that include security management, security monitoring, and vulnerability management.
One thing to be aware of is that some of the services will need their own tools to function. Despite this, they have a proven track record of offering top-notch services to businesses all around the world. Having worked with some of the biggest companies on the planet, SecureWorks is a trustworthy partner for your project.
#2: Mandiant
Mandiant is well-known for providing highly technological services such as incident response, forensic investigations, and penetration testing. As a result, they have been able to develop an extensive portfolio of security-managed services to meet the needs of their diverse clientele.
Mandiant will have recommended or necessary technology for services like security operations, endpoint detection, or other services that depend on software to function.
#3: Optiv
One of the biggest security firms in the US, Optiv offers managed services for a lot of businesses. When dealing with Optiv, bear in mind that while some of their managed services necessitate the use of a specific set of technologies to function, not all of them do. They can do security operations on various vendor systems.
#4: IBM
IBM is the real industry old hands. There’s no doubt that the company has a highly skilled pool of specialists at its disposal. This enables companies to provide end users with a wide choice of managed services, many of which are of extremely high caliber.
Regardless of whether your company uses IBM software or hardware, IBM can help your security initiatives in the areas that may be needed.
#5: Accenture
Accenture offers strong services in security and non-security areas to help a business potentially obtain economies of scale reductions, even though there might be superior specialty service suppliers.
#6: Wipro
Wipro is an Indian firm that is well-known for offering security services to customers of all sizes worldwide. Wipro offers a variety of services, from managed security program services to specialized managed services (such as security operations).
The ability of Wipro to operate in a way that keeps contacts both inside and outside of a company unaware that a third party is being used is one of its key differentiators.
#7: Sophos
To deliver their managed service, Sophos, like almost every other provider on our list, offers a product that must be installed on endpoints and the environment. Even if this might be the case, they are prepared and equipped to work with the environment’s current tools to assist in managing expenses, both contractual and operational.
In addition, they provide MDR solutions for email, the cloud, networks, and endpoints. Their comprehensive solution portfolio can significantly strengthen an organization’s security measures.
#8: Crowdstrike
Crowdstrike is most recognized for having been one of the first companies to develop endpoint detection and response (EDR) software. Nevertheless, because of the capabilities of their product, they have moved to providing robust MDR and incident response services.
They might not be the least expensive. They do provide a robust solution that is compatible with all operating systems, despite being among the priciest MDR providers on this list.
Solutions for cloud, endpoint, and service security detection and response are services they offer.
#9: Logicworks
Logicworks is a cloud consulting business that offers cloud management and security services. To help with security, they frequently take over the management of your cloud platform, but that is not the only service they offer.
Logicworks’ capacity to assist a business with a broader multi-cloud rollout may be limited by its primary focus on AWS and Azure cloud service providers.
#10: Capgemini
Capgemini offers cloud security services, including cloud migration for current clients. They provide security evaluations, security advice, and safe cloud configuration as part of their products.
Additionally, they provide a round-the-clock cloud security operation that may rapidly advance an organization’s detection and response capacities.
How to choose the best MSSP for your Business
We’ll leave you with some tips on choosing the right MSSP for your organization’s needs.
#1. Review your security requirements.
Carrying out a comprehensive risk assessment can assist you in determining the kind of security services you need. If your company deals with confidential information, you could need sophisticated security measures like advanced threat analytics, data loss prevention, and intrusion detection and prevention. Knowing your security requirements can help you choose an MSSP that can offer solutions that are specifically tailored to your needs.
#2. Examine the security expertise of the MSSP.
You should verify the MSSP’s background in protecting the kinds of data and apps that your company uses. Find out if the MSSP has experience with particular security domains, like cloud security, network security, application security, and compliance rules. Additionally, verify the MSSP’s certification with pertinent security standards, such as SOC 2, PCI-DSS, ISO 27001, and so on.
#3. Examine the infrastructure and technology of the MSSP.
For an MSSP to provide security services to your company, it must possess a strong technological and infrastructure foundation. Assess the security operations center (SOC) of the MSSP to see if it has sufficient security monitoring tools and procedures. Verify whether the MSSP routinely publishes security alert digests and whether it has made investments in cutting-edge security solutions to guarantee strong protection against cyber threats.
#4. Check for regulatory compliance with the MSSP.
Organizations must adhere to stringent requirements on data protection as outlined in regulations like the CCPA, HIPAA, and GDPR. Make sure the MSSP is knowledgeable about the rules that control the industry in which your company operates. Find out if the MSSP has a compliance staff that is knowledgeable about the applicable laws. To make sure the MSSP complies with the most recent rules, find out if they regularly perform compliance audits.
#5. Examine the cultural fit of the MSSP.
It’s crucial to look for an MSSP that aligns with the culture and values of your company, in addition to technical factors. Take into account elements like the MSSP’s communication style, their openness to working with your IT security team, and their dedication to accountability and transparency.
What is SIEM?
Security information and event management, or SIEM, is a technology that aids businesses in identifying, evaluating, and responding to security risks before they have a negative impact on operations.
SIEM is a security management system that integrates security event management (SEM) and security information management (SIM). With the use of real-time analysis, SIEM technology gathers event log data from many sources, spots anomalous activity, and takes relevant action.
To put it briefly, SIEM provides enterprises with insight into network activity so they can meet compliance requirements and react quickly to possible intrusions.
What is the difference between SIEM and MSSP?
The easiest way to think of a SIEM and an MSSP is that a company can use both; the SIEM is the tool, and the MSSP is the people. All of the data will be gathered by the SIEM, and the MSSP will handle it and generate security warnings using the combined data that the SIEM offers.
What is MSP in cyber security?
A managed service provider (MSP) in cybersecurity provides extensive infrastructure management and IT operations services, while managed security service providers (MSSPs) concentrate solely on cybersecurity services and often run out of security operations centers (SOCs).
What is the downside of MSSP?
Entrusting an MSSP with sensitive data and important security tasks can leave a company vulnerable to security flaws. Severe reputational harm and non-compliance with regulations can result from data breaches, improper treatment of private information, or opaque security procedures.
What is an example of a managed security service?
A managed security service provider (MSSP) offers security system and device administration and monitoring services through outsourcing. Managed firewalls, virtual private networks, intrusion detection, vulnerability screening, and anti-virus services are typical offerings.
Why use a managed security service provider?
Businesses should use a managed security service provider (MSSP) because it relieves the burden on IT personnel and frees up valuable time that the company needs to sustain and grow its operations.
CYBER SECURITY ENGINEER SALARY: Average Salary in The US
CYBER SECURITY INSURANCE: What is it & What Does it Cover?
CYBERSECURITY TRAINING: Everything You Need To Know
References:
