Understand Your Options When Selecting a Cybersecurity Provider

Cyberattacks are on the rise, and bad actors seem able to stay one step ahead. Work from home arrangements, Internet of Things devices, IT/operational technology security challenges, and the expanded attack surface are all contributing factors. Organizations are working to protect their IT environments from bad actors, but with limited success. The situation leaves organizations asking what they should do to protect their businesses from cyberattacks. Are managed security services providers (MSSPs) the answer? Would an in-house security team or a managed security operations center (SOC) be the correct fix? What are the options available in the managed security services market? Is managed detection and response (MDR) the way to go? 

The managed security services marketplace can be confusing, but the answers to these questions become clearer in the IDC Technology Spotlight whitepaper Clearing Up the Managed Security Services Confusion. Among other things, the whitepaper compares the three most common managed security services market options and discusses what organizations should consider when selecting a provider. 

Compare Your Options

It’s important to distinguish between the services offered by MSS, MSSPs, and MDRs. The whitepaper offers a brief history of the evolution of the three services and explains the differences between managed security services market offerings. 

• MSS 1.0 (MSS). This first generation of MSS provided the management of traditional security devices such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, log collection, and alert management and guidance. But the service didn’t include in-depth capabilities.

• MSS 2.0 (MSSPs). MSSPs started out offering MSS 1.0 services. They soon offered advanced security capabilities and services and later included the adoption of new security technologies and the use of SIEMs. As the service has evolved, MSSPs have expanded their services to include protecting data and providing managed SOCs for 24/7 defense against cyber threats. 

• MSS 3.0 (MDR). This service includes MSS and MSSP services and combines the tools, technologies, methods, and people to provide full cybersecurity capabilities. An MDR service provider can function as a third-party vendor or work with an organization’s in-house team to provide endpoint protection solutions, human-based expertise for threat intelligence and hunting, web-based consoles and dashboards for enhanced monitoring and reporting, and intellectual property. 

Also, for an even clearer understanding, you’ll want to check out the side-by-side comparison chart that shows the advantages and disadvantages of the three services.

Select A Provider

When choosing a service provider, organizations should concentrate on the type of security assistance they need. They should focus on the people, processes, and technologies that will help them reach their long-term cybersecurity goals. The whitepaper discusses the questions you should ask about various providers, the importance you should place on the different services and competencies they offer, and the benefits you can anticipate when you choose the right provider.

Make The Right Choice

The number of cyberattacks continues to increase, and bad actors are targeting organizations of every size and industry.