Managed Security Services: Cost-Effective Access to the Security Skills You Need
Most organizations are well aware of the current cyber threat climate. They read about major brands and government agencies being hacked. They know what ransomware and zero-day threats are. They understand the importance of a security strategy and have invested in security tools. What many of them don’t have is skilled security personnel.
In the 2022 (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, 70 percent of organizations said they lack the in-house expertise to effectively defend their IT environment. Almost three-fourths (74 percent) said these talent shortfalls put them at greater risk of a cyberattack. (ISC)² estimates that more than 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals are needed worldwide to close this gap.
Recent layoffs among major tech companies have not eased the shortage. Just 10 percent of corporate executives surveyed by (ISC)² said they anticipate laying off cybersecurity workers. In contrast, 42 percent said they plan to increase staffing in cybersecurity.
What Are Managed Security Services?
Because there’s not enough talent to keep up with demand, many cybersecurity jobs go unfilled. If organizations are able to locate qualified personnel, that talent tends to be quite expensive. As a result, more organizations are turning to managed security services providers (MSSPs) to reduce security risks without breaking the bank.
Managed security services allow you to outsource some or all cybersecurity tasks and management responsibilities to a third-party provider. The basics typically include 24x7 monitoring, risk assessments, firewall management and more. Additional services can include incident response, endpoint protection, and security system changes and upgrades. Best-in-class providers can assist in the implementation of security controls required for regulatory compliance.
Managed Security Services Benefits
Managed security services provide organizations with access to a broader range of expertise and high-end security tools. This is especially valuable for small to midsize companies that don’t have the resources to pay for top talent or purchase and manage new technology. Managed security services are also highly scalable. Instead of hiring more people as the business grows and the IT environment changes, organizations can obtain additional services from the MSSP.
Whether your MSSP is your fully outsourced security team or an extension of in-house resources, more expertise and better tools translate to reduced risk. MSSP staff are trained to use the latest security technology and monitor a wide range of devices from multiple vendors. They have access to the latest threat intelligence from reliable sources and can quickly correlate events to identify new threats. They have the controls and reporting mechanisms to satisfy regulatory requirements and help you respond to audits. By documenting and implementing repeatable security processes and automating workflows, your MSSP can help you detect and address issues before they become serious problems.
Choosing the Right MSSP
Of course, not all MSSPs offer the same capabilities. When you evaluate vendors, you should ask for proof of expertise and ensure their capabilities are aligned with your business and security needs. Make sure they have experience not just with your infrastructure but with your industry. Find out about their reputation and the quality of their services from actual customers.
IronLogix delivers 24x7 managed security services through our Security Operations Center. Certified security teams utilize our managed detection and response platform to actively monitor your IT environment and remediate threats in real time. We also provide security assessments, systems hardening, email security, endpoint protection and more. These solutions work together in a layered approach to defend against sophisticated attacks.
We’re getting to the point that in-house security management is only feasible for very large enterprises. Let us show you how managed security services can improve your defenses and keep security costs under control.