When delegating information security responsibilities and operations, outsourcing specific managed security services (MSS) through a partnership with a managed security service provider (MSSP) is frequently a good option, particularly when cyberattack patterns change and network threats evolve and multiply almost daily.
By entering into a contract with an MSSP, an organization can share risk management and mitigation strategies while maintaining ownership of information security and business risks. To cut costs and gain access to skilled personnel whose full-time job is security, more and more organizations are turning to MSSPs for various security services.
Network boundary protection, incident management, emergency response, forensic analysis, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, anti-virus, content filtering services, and information security risk assessments are some of the services that may fall under this category.
Following are some of the key benefits of engaging an MSSP.
Cost
A managed security service typically costs less than hiring full-time, internal security personnel. An MSSP can divide the cost of analysts, equipment, software, and facilities over several clients, lowering the per-client cost. One MSSP claims that it can, for about $75,000 a year, excluding hardware, set up and monitor security on a 250-user network on a single T1 (1.5 Mbps) Internet gateway. The costs of replicating these actions within the company include comparable hardware expenses and at least $240,000 in annual salaries for three full-time specialists.
Staffing
The need to hire, train, pay for, and retain key staff puts enormous pressure on IT departments due to a lack of qualified information security personnel. In-house network security experts can be prohibitively expensive. When outsourcing, the MSSP is responsible for the costs associated with hiring, educating, and keeping highly skilled personnel. By providing various career opportunities and positions, from entry-level to senior management, all within the information security industry, an MSSP will probably be able to keep security experts on staff. A client organization can also concentrate internal resources on more important business initiatives by outsourcing tedious security monitoring and protection tasks.
Skills
A member of the internal staff dealing with security on a part-time basis or observing a small number of security incidents is probably not as skilled as someone who performs the same work full-time, overseeing security impacts across several different clients and developing security solutions with broader applicability. MSSPs are among the most aggressive and tenacious security software users. They have extensive experience dealing with hundreds or thousands of life-threatening situations daily, giving them insight into security situations.
Facilities
MSSPs can improve security just by virtue of the facilities they provide. Special security operations centers (SOCs) are facilities that many MSSPs have located throughout the nation. These are physically fortified locations with cutting-edge infrastructure run by qualified staff.
Objectivity and Independence
For the same kinds of security issues, an organization may use several ad hoc solutions. There might not be any enterprise-wide security or strategy management. The enterprise’s security posture may be streamlined and strengthened by outsourcing security to a qualified service provider. An MSSP can offer an unbiased viewpoint on a company’s security posture and assist in upholding a system of checks and balances with internal staff. An MSSP can frequently offer an integrated, better-coordinated solution by omitting duplicative work, hardware, and software.
Security Awareness
An organization finds monitoring and addressing all potential threats, attack patterns, hacker tools, and current best security practices challenging. An MSSP can frequently get alerts about newly discovered vulnerabilities and early access to knowledge about available defenses. An MSSP can offer guidance on how other businesses handle similar security issues. An MSSP will likely interact with other MSSPs and highly qualified and specialized international security experts. These tools can be used to identify and address client problems.
Prosecution & Service Performance
The MSSP is often well connected to law enforcement agencies worldwide and understands the forensic analysis and evidence required to successfully support legal proceedings.
When a company hires security monitoring services, the company can receive results almost immediately, seven days a week, 365 days a year. In contrast, an internal service might only be available during regular business hours. It is possible to hold MSSPs liable for the service standards they offer. They ensure availability and service levels; failing to do so may have financial repercussions.
Their operational practices are intended to maintain the availability of their services. Additionally, if the MSSP offers service systems, it is in charge of software and hardware updates and the upkeep of a secure network configuration. Because MSSPs must uphold their clients’ strict contractual obligations and their good name in the marketplace, their control procedures are typically well-documented and strictly adhered to. The client is always required to confirm these performance characteristics.
Service Security and Technology
Because they are managed and supervised by qualified security professionals, service security solutions and technologies like firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), intrusion detection systems (IDSs), and vulnerability assessment tools are significantly more effective. For instance, MSSPs can use a remote monitoring connection to check whether an alarm is legitimate after an intrusion is discovered and stop further intruder activity. A managed service can shield the client’s network from unsecured VPN endpoints. The client organization gets improved product support for any MSSP-created goods used in their offerings.
The MSSP might base its service offerings on goods from other third-party providers. Depending on the size of the MSSP’s clientele, the MSSP might be able to persuade the product manufacturer to increase the security of their offering by, for instance, addressing fresh attacks and vulnerabilities.
