Managed security has emerged as a practical approach for understaffed security teams to rapidly build, maintain, and scale a strong cybersecurity function in a fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape. Organizations increasingly rely on MSS offerings to support some, or all, of their cybersecurity needs.
For most organizations, their IT environment has become far more complex in recent years. The sudden rise in remote work, spurred in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in a huge influx of personal devices and the use of personal networks.
As a result of this shift, companies needed to develop a more comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, targeting protection of user identities, devices, and networks.
Part of the appeal of MSS is that companies can leverage turnkey solutions to quickly deploy detection and prevention tools across any device or network without relying on employees to download software or even restart their devices.
The cybersecurity skills gap
Cybersecurity skills have been in short supply for years, and this global skills gap keeps getting worse, not better. In fact, the latest ISC2 report found that there’s currently a global shortage of 4 million security workers.Needless to say, it’s more difficult than ever for security leaders to hire, train, and retain security talent to staff their programs and run their SOCs.
24/7 security coverage is essential to defend against today’s advanced, opportunistic adversaries and keep them at bay — especially since attackers increasingly aim to strike organizations during off-hours, weekends, and holidays when security teams are likely to be stretched to their thinnest.
MSS offerings solve these challenges for organizations by providing organizations with the skilled cybersecurity professionals they desperately need without the costs or hassle of doing it on their own.
In addition to addressing a number of landscape challenges, managed security also offers organizations many important benefits. These include:
Fully managed cybersecurity services
The premise of MSS is that all cybersecurity services are fully managed by the MSSP. This means that internal IT teams, many of which are not skilled in cybersecurity, can focus their efforts elsewhere in the business. At the same time, the company enjoys strong prevention, detection, response, and remediation capabilities, depending on the terms of their agreement.
Access to cybersecurity expert knowledge
MSSPs employ some of the best and brightest minds in the cybersecurity field. When companies partner with these third-party organizations, they gain access to specific solutions and tools as well as the expertise and knowledge of their staff. This helps protect the organization in the immediate term while potentially building cybersecurity skills among the company’s broader IT team over time.
Data protection
MSSPs offer advanced data solutions — which protect data from breaches, theft, modification or destruction (a set of services commonly referred to as data security) — and develop the underlying policies, procedures, and technologies to ensure its lawful and ethical use (data protection). Data protection also involves compliance with privacy laws, data minimization, obtaining consent for data processing, and giving individuals control over their data.
Optimal security tool management
Just as adversaries and threats evolve, so does cybersecurity technology. MSSPs often provide their own suite of tools and related expertise to protect an organization, with recommendations for the best and latest software to invest in based on a customer’s unique needs.
Regulatory compliance
Most MSSPs also offer guidance on relevant regulations and the specific steps companies must take to comply with applicable laws. They may also support reporting requirements and submit additional documentation in the event of an investigation.
Reduced IT cost
Though managed security constitutes a third-party expense, this model is typically more cost-effective than establishing a comparable internal capability, which requires continuous 24/7 staffing and the purchase of a tool set and corresponding licenses.
In addition, engaging a trusted and reputable MSSP is a form of insurance against costly and disruptive data breaches. Though no solution is perfect, working with a competent vendor is one of the best ways to reduce the overall risk of falling victim to an attack and improve the likelihood of detecting a breach before significant damage is done.
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