Many people believe that large businesses are the primary targets of cyber attackers. While they may have the largest payoff, they also have the largest security budget and most up-to-date systems to overcome. Small to mid-size businesses that feel they are not targets typically have bigger holes in their security, and attackers see this as low hanging fruit. Security needs dedicated attention; it cannot be left as an afterthought.
An attacker can use stolen information for fraudulent purposes, which can cost a company thousands of dollars each day it goes unresolved. Also common are denial- of- service attacks, which can hinder business operations and cause inconvenience to customers. When customers learn of a security breach or are unable to receive service for an extended period, they often lose trust in the company. In the case of a small business, a loss of trust can take away a large share of their customer base, which can be especially devastating.
MSPs typically offer a basic level of security at the very least, which can include secure wireless networking, firewalls and patching. These items are considered the bare minimum in today’s advanced and always evolving threat landscape. It is important to understand whether the MSP makes security a core competency or if they are offering a “bare minimum” and low cost security solution.
Identifying the Pretenders and Choosing the Right Managed Security Partner
The more depth and level of detail a MSP shares about its security measures, the better quality you will likely find in their managed security solutions. In particular, the presence of dedicated security analysts is a good sign that the MSP offers a stronger level of security than most. Security is an endless game of cat and mouse: traditional security measures are devised to keep attackers out, but attackers typically find a way weak link in the chain. A dedicated security staff ensures that you have the expertise required to help prevent attacks and re mediate quickly if necessary.
IT security does NOT come in a one-size-fits-all approach. Because a MSP manages its client’s overall IT system, the MSP can clearly understand the system’s infrastructure. A MSP that can identify the specific needs of a system and adapt its security measures to accommodate those unique needs is a step above the rest.
Worth considering is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), which specializes in security more than a standard MSP. Their solutions often include the direct blocking of viruses and spam — which is preventative against spear phishing attacks —, intrusion detection, configured firewalls, virtual private network (VPN) management and more. The specific solutions offered by a MSSP will be different from vendor to vendor, but chances are, they will make security a priority.
Each individual company will have unique needs when it comes to security. If a representative knows exactly what they need, they can compare that to the solutions offered by a MSP. Otherwise, an MSSP is a good next option to sort out the needed infrastructure with experts.