Many businesses are incorporating outsourced security services into their organizational risk strategy to bolster their cyber-defenses. However, the information security and cybersecurity marketplace are complex and the term “security provider” covers a variety of entities that offer security products and services.
It’s important to understand the security provider ecosystem before you choose how to go about advancing your security posture from where it stands today.
Knowing what you need is the key to deciding which type of security provider to choose. For example, resellers provide security tools but may not provide services to help you get the most from them. Pen testing service providers help you identify vulnerabilities but don’t help you address them.
Inventory your security strengths and weaknesses along with your near-term and long-term security goals and roadmap to gain clarity before you begin evaluating your options.
As the name suggests, these players resell security vendors’ tools, typically endpoint detection, anti-virus, or firewall products. Most resellers have close relationships with particular vendors and typically recommend their products to their customers.
While some resellers offer an additional, basic layer of product support, it’s important to note that their services don’t include ongoing threat monitoring or advanced security advisory services.
Companies engage penetration testing service providers to undertake ethical cybersecurity assessments to identify and attempt to exploit any vulnerabilities existing in their networks, systems, applications, and websites. The company can then use the information gathered to address discovered weaknesses and mitigate the risk of suffering a malicious attack.
While penetration testing provides value, in isolation, it’s insufficient to build a comprehensive enterprise security posture.
MDRs use both technology and human expertise to perform threat-hunting, monitoring, and response activities. MDR services allow companies to quickly identify and limit the impact of threats.
However, MDRs don’t generally include managing firewalls and the other day-to-day network security needs of an organization in their scope of work. These tasks are more suited to internal network managers or an MSSP that can offer a more specialized service.
MSPs focus on managing an organization’s IT needs. While they have specialized knowledge of managing complex, multi-technology environments, they haven’t traditionally focused on their customers’ security requirements.
However, in the last few years, many MSPs have sought to move into the security space so they can meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity services and grow their margins.
MSSPs focus exclusively on security. They don’t offer IT services, nor do they position themselves to customers as a technology one-stop shop. They perform threat research, constantly scan their customers’ environments for threats, write bespoke threat detection logic, and perform penetration testing and detection, defense, and incident response activities. MSSPs employ people with domain-specific security expertise, such as security architects, engineers, and analysts.
When it comes to protecting your business from the scourge of cybercrime and other devastating data loss events, it’s clear that you have an array of options. Factors influencing your decision will include the size of your organization, the industry in which you operate, your budget, your level of in-house expertise, and your appetite for risk.
A business may set out to build an in-house team. However, this effort can hit a roadblock if there’s a lack of buy-in from the top or budgetary constraints. What’s more, qualified security talent is both scarce and expensive.
An organization may decide to purchase security tools – either independently from a vendor or through a reseller. This approach also comes with a downside. Without the knowledge and skills required to select the right products and maximize their effectiveness, your enterprise security defenses will be porous.
That’s because to keep your organization safe, you also need advanced insights regarding:
Choosing to partner with an MSSP can be an excellent option for companies that have an in-house IT team but recognize they need advanced levels of technical security expertise.
If you’re considering selecting an MSSP, be sure that your shortlisted candidates can bring the following to the table:
When it comes to enterprise security, the stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
As we move into 2025, more enterprises will acknowledge the wisdom of enlisting MSSPs to access advanced levels of security protection at an affordable cost.
It’s the responsible move for companies seeking to access the right people, processes, and technologies; protect their market reputation and leadership position; and give information- and cybersecurity the attention it rightfully deserves.