July 6, 2020
Managed security service providers are a more specialized managed service provider that function as a cybersecurity resource, overseeing the functions, devices, and monitoring related to information technology security.
Companies outsource to third party MSSPs completely, partially, or as a consultancy. As security needs develop and diversify, IT security teams are similarly being required to advance or face mounting security threats. By bringing in the expertise of an outside resource, organizations benefit from fresh eyes, proven experience, and new processes.
The MSSP can serve as a bridge in skillsets, patching up possible gaps that exist on an IT team. They work as a way to reduce complexity in particular service areas and patch holes in team structure.
Businesses around the world rely on MSSPs to ward against, monitor, and respond to threats that may utilize, weaponize, or monetize key data accessed by stakeholders, held within the walls of the company, or existing in the cloud.
MSSP Services Offer 24/7 Support
Generally, the business will receive 24/7/365 support from a dedicated team of trained professionals that will identify, organize, and execute on carefully crafted strategies to keep the business and the customer safe. It's efficient, careful, and effective work.
A company may not have the time or resources to invest in these security measures by bulking up internal staff, but the legitimacy and necessity of data protection in our digitized world is not to be taken lightly.
MSSP Help Prevent Unseen Threats
It may not always be as interesting as an international spy stealing aerospace and defense technology and funneling it to the Chinese government, as was the case with a Chinese-born engineer and former Boeing employee.
Sometimes the data breach is small. A few records. That can't hurt too many people, right? Wrong. According to IBM, a data breach can cost a company on average $3.86 million, and take 280 days to identify and contain. About 39 percent of the costs associated with that average occur after the first year following an identified breach, according to their annual Cost of a Data Breach report.
Because of the weaknesses in security protocol and processes, these things add up.
According to one report, the first six months of 2019 included 3,813 breaches reported, exposing over 4.1 billion records.
MSSP Service Types
The types of services a MSSP can offer will vary, but will likely include a suite of comprehensive, tailored strategies for a business relative to its industry, regulatory requirements, and consumers. Because the MSSP likely has a diversified list of clients, they bring a wealth of knowledge to the table — it's quite possible that their exposure to security threats across verticals will save you from being blindsided down the line.
The typical service offerings may include categories like user management, wherein they help establish the identity and privileges of who can access which resources and why. They may help with authentication and authorization to access permission-based resources.
Another category they could help support is data security, which could be siloed to unique industries, like with HIPAA regulations that protect the healthcare industry, or could be broadly applied, as in compliance to GDPR personal privacy protections enacted in the European Union. Cloud security is another realm they could offer, with other security services packaged alongside, including malware protection on local devices and in bring-your-own-device (BYOD) work environments.
Risk management and assessment could be a focus for organizations looking to lower the footprint of their cybersecurity risk profile. A MSSP functions as either an additional support function, an extra team, or just a third-party consultancy for areas like penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, vulnerability patching, and intrusion detection.
The infrastructure of an organization can be protected by a MSSP through endpoint security measures, managing the safety of the devices that act as various access points to a network infrastructure. Network firewalls are another common offering.
The choice, of course, will always be up to the organization. They're the stewards of their clients' and customers' trust, time, and resources. If their current team is adequate, there's no need to seek managed security services. Chances are, if you're reading this, it's likely you're considering the benefits of a MSSP.
This choice will be crucial and long-lasting. For all your MSSP needs give us a call at 1.888.262.6925 or email us at info@esposystems.com and lets get you secure.