What to look for in a Dallas Managed Security Services Provider

Understanding the local MSSP landscape in Dallas can be critical in finding the right provider for your business.

Your Decisions Have Implications

Network security is becoming a significant factor in corporate environments as the digital age moves into full swing. If your company does not have a team of cybersecurity professionals, this article will help you better understand what to look for in a Dallas managed security services provider. The choice you make in this arena is crucial because you will be putting the fate of your enterprise in someone else’s hands. Your business will only be as secure as their technical competence and knowledge of the cybersecurity environment. When something goes wrong, their incident response can make or break your company’s reputation, so make sure to do your homework before signing an agreement with any old MSSP.

Technical Knowledge

The security industry is one of the most technically advanced in the world, hence, the MSSP you choose in the Dallas area should have top-notch technical expertise. In fact, it should be among the most important details you look for when selecting a provider. A technically competent and knowledgeable security services provider will have a detailed grasp of threat detection, online security, cloud security, and monitoring. They will understand all the necessary skills needed to fight off cyberattacks, and they will be able to quickly figure out solutions to security problems. It means you can rely on them in stressful situations to find the answers to whatever issues you face.

Track Record

The next thing to look for is an impressive track record of success in solving client security problems. If your company is not familiar with the security industry, it will be difficult for you to know the provider’s level of competence. A company with technical proficiency will have a stellar track record of solving threat intelligence issues for their clients. This is especially true in the Dallas area, as many companies need online security solutions from competent people who have a proven history of delivering quality security services to their clients.

Simple Communication

As someone not from the IT world specifically, it will often be challenging to figure out what is happening. That is why you need your provider that is good at explaining things to you in a way you can understand. It might not seem important, but you must take a hands-on approach when dealing with security problems that can cause issues for your business — especially if you are working in a field where you keep customer data. Your ability to give input on various situations is directly attributable to your MSSP being able to clearly explain what is happening with your IT environment in real time. How can you make the best decisions for your business if you don’t know what’s happening?

Responsiveness

As with any type of service, general communication responsiveness is critical from your outsourced vendors. However, responsiveness is even more important in the context of security. Your MSSP must be able to respond at a moment’s notice, regardless of the time of day. They should be able to investigate whatever problems might pop up as certain incidents are more prone to happen when attackers expect your team to be away from their computers. Make sure you choose a provider that treats you as if they need to re-earn your business every day by delivering quality support through fast response times.

Proactive Prevention

The biggest thing a security services provider can do is apply an ounce of prevention before the pound of cure is needed. Security is an area in which it is better to be proactive in preventing problems than to fix them. A part of that involves doing regular audits and keeping everything updated. They should also help your organization craft solid security protocols to help you avoid pitfalls that might happen if you aren’t careful in how you apply your security policies. It can also be as simple as helping you keep your firewall updated to ensure you block security threats before they become a problem. Either way, a proactive company is crucial to helping you keep your operations secure.

Willing to Invest

Your security provider should treat your business as if it were their own. You want someone who takes ownership of solving security problems inside your company. When an MSSP does that, you can be confident that they are giving you their best effort every day and you can be satisfied with the advice they may offer. At least then, you will know that they are working daily to ensure that your operations are as secure as possible.

Price

Price is also a factor, but it should be considered in conjunction with the other principles outlined above. The price you pay can either sweeten the deal or turn you away from using a certain provider. It is of the many reasons why you must find an MSSP that will offer competitive pricing along with the other qualities listed above. However, as with most things in life, you will often have to pay more to get the best – and the security services industry is no different.

Keeping Current

The cybersecurity industry moves at a rapid pace. What worked today will often fail tomorrow and vice versa. The company you choose should be at the cutting edge in terms of security mitigation knowledge and techniques. They should also understand various technology trends and industry best practices.

If you want your organization to thrive, make sure you partner with an MSSP that will seamlessly protect your assets and keep you focused on your core business activities. If you want to learn more about finding the right Dallas managed security services provider, please contact us for more information.