Managed Cybersecurity Service Providers: What You Need to Know to Make the Right Choice

The security landscape is constantly evolving, with new technologies and partnerships between MSSPs and internal IT security organizations. According to a study of over 5,000 IT professionals, organizations are increasingly turning to MSSPs and MSPs to supplement their internal IT security teams. The study found that approximately 70% of organizations plan to outsource security to an MSSP or MSP in the next 12 months. Nearly 75% of these companies said that outsourcing would likely reduce their security-related costs. Additionally, the study suggested that one of the top reasons for relying on MSSPs and MSPs is the need for specialized expertise. This includes services such as penetration tests, firewall management, IDS/IPS, SIEMs, and posture assessments.

Consider the following points for Managed Cybersecurity Solutions Provider evaluation:

• Expertise and Experience:

  Assess the MSSP’s expertise and experience in the field of cybersecurity. Look for certifications, partnerships with industry-leading vendors, and a proven track record of successfully managing security for similar organizations. An MSP should be a multi-OEM expert to understand and suggest the best practices to their customers.

• Scalability and Flexibility:

  Consider MSSP’s ability to scale their services to accommodate your organization’s growth. They should also be flexible in adapting to your changing security needs and able to tailor their offerings accordingly. An MSP should have a diversified portfolio in cybersecurity so that when the customer adopts to new technology the existing MSP should be able to support it with 02-03 weeks lead time.

• Integration and Parsing Capability:

  MSP should have inhouse ability to integrate multiple the tools/ devices in case of Out-of-the box connectors are not available. If your MSP is outsourcing integrations and parsing to a third party, they the tasks gets time consuming and disturbs the daily SOC operations. Ensure your MSP has this capability.

• Performance and SLAs:

  Inquire about the Managed Cyber Security Solutions Provider’s performance metrics and Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Understand their response times, availability, and incident resolution processes. Clear communication channels and regular reporting are crucial for effective collaboration.

• Objectives, Deliverables, and Processes:

  Just like with SLAs, the objectives, deliverables, and processes of an MSSP should be determined by the client’s needs. Each client has their own strengths and weaknesses and may require their MSSP to fill specific gaps. If an MSSP is unable to adapt to the client’s needs, the client’s cyber defense and compliance may suffer.

• Compliance and Regulations:

  Determine if the Managed Cybersecurity Service Provider working with organizations that have similar compliance requirements as your own. They should be well-versed in industry regulations and standards relevant to your business, such as ISO, NIST, GDPR or HIPAA.

• Customer References and Reviews:

  Seek references or case studies from current or previous clients to gain insights into MSSP’s performance, customer satisfaction, and overall reputation. Online reviews and industry rankings can also provide valuable feedback.

• Cost Vs Value:

  Consider the cost of the MSP’s services and evaluate it in relation to the value they provide. While cost is an important factor, it should not be the sole determining factor. Focus on the overall value and the level of security they can deliver.