Keeping up with the barrage of cybersecurity threats, along with daily operations, can be difficult. Likewise, turning to a managed security provider is not something to take lightly. After all, you will depend on their managed security practices to keep your network and data secure.
Finding the right managed security provider requires thoughtful research to receive the reliable and cost-effective services your business needs. In addition to a solid reputation and track record, here are five key elements to help ensure that you choose the right one.
Ability to Meet Basic Requirements
Evaluating whether an MSSP is the right one involves determining whether they can meet the basic requirements of your business. During this discovery stage, learn all you can about how the provider operates.
Get a clear picture of their management capabilities and service offerings. These should include services related to cybersecurity such as detection, response and prevention.
While assessing functional requirements, make note of interactions with company representatives. How attentive are they to your concerns? Your investment in managed security should add value to your in-house IT team and the entire organization.
Has Trustworthy Attributes
Once you check the basic requirements box, use other critical operational criteria to screen managed security services providers. Choosing a provider that you can trust to protect and defend your applications, data and client information requires transparency.
Find out how the MSSP plans to communicate operational performance and metrics ratios. You want to gain visibility into how the managed security provider operates. Typically, this involves regular reporting and sharing of information.
Offers Customized Security Solutions
During the vetting process, you may encounter managed security services companies that only offer one-size-fits-all solutions. They may provide a free demo to show how certain features and functions can solve a security problem.
While the solution may seem like the answer to an immediate issue, the same product does nothing long-term. Furthermore, there is no way to modify or customize the product to fit all of your organization’s needs. If you need more than a simple solution, keep looking.
Ideally, you want a managed security partner that uses a different approach. Initial meetings are fruitful sessions where the managed security provider learns more about your business and the unique requirements of keeping the IT infrastructure safe and secure.
Time is spent, not on selling you the latest gimmick, but rather on understanding your needs, requirements and expectations. Your input is valuable because any solution will impact your organization. From this discovery, the MSSP creates a customized cybersecurity solution.
Creates a Service Level Agreement
These meetings with MSSPs also serve as a guide to creating a service-level agreement. An SLA is essential to establishing the relationship between the provider and your business. Defining expectations ensures everyone is on the same page.
Although the managed security provider may use a boilerplate, the SLA should specify how each metric applies to your business needs:
- Business value
- Service availability
- Security monitoring
- Technical quality
There should be no mystery to how the MSSP handles issues. For instance, the SLA should outline routine services such as monitoring and updates. You need to know how frequently each service occurs.
Equally important to outlining how service levels are met is knowing the consequences when metrics are not met. This section of the SLA details the repercussions of failed performance such as fines or credits. Typically, how your business is impacted by the breach defines the agreed-upon percentage.
Additionally, you need to know the plan for unexpected problems. The provider will include response times, reporting protocol and the responsibilities of everyone on the team.
Communicates Shared Responsibilities of the Partnership
In communicating shared responsibilities of the partnership, you and the managed security services provider must agree on the objectives, deliverables and processes. You may need managed services to fill in the gaps of your in-house team.
Alternatively, you may need the provider to step into a cybersecurity expert role completely. In either case, you need a partner willing to be flexible enough to match your needs. Otherwise, your defense against cyber attacks and ability to stay compliant will suffer.
The right managed security services for your business is the one prepared for a changing threat environment. They must also have a grasp on evolving technology.
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Greg Allen2023-06-07 09:10:002023-05-31 19:03:29What to Look for in a Philadelphia Managed Security Provider
