Third parties provide managed security services to supervise and manage a company’s security procedures. Managed security service providers can help set up infrastructure, manage security, and respond to incidents, among other things. Some managed security service providers can take care of an enterprise’s information security program in its entirety, while others only work in certain areas.

Organizations choose to work with MSSPs for many different reasons. Often, this is because they don’t have the resources or expertise in-house to handle certain security issues or because they need security monitoring and management outside of normal business hours. In other cases, companies hire managed security service providers to do security audits or respond to and look into incidents.

Managed security services also help companies deal with a threat landscape that is constantly changing and growing. They accomplish this by assisting in the rapid scaling of IT business infrastructure.

Even with the best security technologies, organizations can only partially reduce the chances that vulnerabilities will happen. Now, it’s essential to spot and deal with threats as quickly as possible.

This article will give you six tips for good managed security that will help keep the data and records of a company private.

Provide a holistic perspective:

A trustworthy MSSP will look at your antivirus, firewall, and patches to make sure they can make a transformational security change and come up with a comprehensive plan to protect your business.

This view takes into account the following things:

  • Management of risks, policies, procedures, reporting, auditing, training, and staff education
  • Compliance
  • Technologies such as Wi-Fi, UTM, firewall, and patch management
  • Continuity of operations, recovery procedures, backup, and company resilience

A competent MSSP has specialists in multiple areas of digital security. If not, then they are not suitable for you.

Demand the third party’s current IT risk assessment

When evaluating an MSSP, the most important thing to do is find out what IT operational risks have been identified and what the provider has done to mitigate them. What does it mean for the overall network security of the customer if the third party is operating with unknown and unmanaged risks? 

What does it say about the service provider’s commitment to safeguarding not only its environment but also that of the client if dangers have been discovered but not addressed?

The date on the risk assessment report may no longer be applicable if it is “aged” (older than nine to twelve months). This shows how prepared the vendor is to deal with changing technology risks in their work environment or if they need help. There could be big problems if the service provider seems confused or won’t or can’t give a current IT risk assessment. Ask yourself if the provider can provide the services you need at the high level of security your organization’s network needs.

Perhaps it is not an unlawful access or penetration effort, etc. But the inability of a third party to keep doing business directly affects the availability and reliability of a client’s network.

If the risk assessment performs correctly, it will look at many things, including how resilient the provider’s business is. What will happen to the client’s IT operations and end users if the service provider has an event that affects or stops it from doing its job and prevents it from getting back to work right away? Are you in the process of selecting and engaging a managed security service provider? Get hold of and review the vendor’s most recent IT risk assessment report.

Hacks and bug bounties indicator

The reason is apparent. Most honors and awards have little to do with how technically good a business actually is. Customer reviews are also subjective, so if you hire a security service, you should be able to tell if they’re doing a good job. However, the number of hacks they’ve completed could be more accurate and reflects a company’s technical expertise. The good news is that online hacking conferences like DefCon and bug bounty programs give businesses a chance to show off their skills. 

For example, Apple recently offered a $1.5 million reward for finding the most severe security bug. To keep a system secure, one must be aware of its vulnerabilities. Because of this, hacking skills are the most vital element to consider.

Verify the validity

When looking at a managed security service provider, one of the most important but often overlooked things to look at is how trustworthy it is, both as a company and in the eyes of its current and past clients. Engaging with an MSSP takes time because it involves building a deep relationship that can only grow with a good experience and trust that lasts. Asking for referrals or asking people for references is nothing to be ashamed of.

A good MSSP will only think twice about giving you a list, and they’ll be sure you’ll join the partnership if you do the hard work of asking. Ask for copies of audits, evaluations, and other proof that they have done good work in the past. Choosing an MSSP is a complex negotiation, but asking the right questions and getting the right information will help you make a better choice.

Technical Comprehension

Some MSSPs specialize in particular security domains or perform little more than environment monitoring. This may not fulfill your requirements. Be sure to investigate the MSSP’s background and level of experience. Talk about the technical staff, including its members’ knowledge and credentials.

A well-rounded MSSP should have specialists in several aspects of IT security and participate in frequent training to stay up-to-date on new and changing threats.

Adherence to the law

Your MSSP must protect your IT environment and have the techniques and expertise to help you follow all security and privacy rules. The MSSP must be familiar with the regulations that relate to your firm.

From a technological aspect, the supplier should offer asset discovery, vulnerability analysis, intrusion detection, and log management. Additionally, the MSSP should be able to incorporate information from traditional security technologies to assure compliance.

Conclusion

Most organizations today struggle to keep up with the seemingly endless storm of cyberattacks. Many organizations are turning to MSSPs (managed security services providers) for cost-effective and dependable network protection. 

However, picking an MSSP involves consideration and investigation. Because not all providers offer the same levels of security, you should narrow your search to one with verified track history and credibility.

References

  1. Zhang. (2021). Tips from Professionals on Hiring the Right Managed Security Service Providers Zeguro Bloghttps://www.zeguro.com/blog/tips-from-business-leaders-on-hiring-the-right-managed-security-service-providers
  2. Russell, J. (2022, January 10). 10 Tips for selecting a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) – Harmony Tech. https://www.harmony-tech.com/10-tips-for-selecting-a-managed-security-services-provider-mssp/