If you’re not worried about cybersecurity, you should be. During the first half of 2022, there was a 42 percent increase in weekly cyberattacks worldwide, according to Check Point. Additionally, IBM reports that the global average total cost of a data breach hit an all-time high of $4.35 million this year.
Given that there’s also a significant ongoing cybersecurity talent shortage, many businesses looking to minimize their risk levels and combat increasingly sophisticated attacks have turned to managed security service providers (MSSPs). With managed cybersecurity services, you can safeguard your business without adding internal resources, which appeals to organizations that want to contain costs while still avoiding breaches.
However, deciding to partner with an MSSP is only the first step. Shopping around for a provider that can meet your company’s unique needs is vital if you want to achieve the best possible outcome. As you search for a security partner, consider the following key factors.
1. Primary line of business.
What’s the provider’s main focus? Some in the security space focus on serving as MSSPs, while others are primarily cloud and managed service providers, system integrators, network aggregators, and so on.
2. Years in business and the security space.
How much experience does the provider have in general and in the realm of managed cybersecurity services?
3. Cybersecurity industry rankings.
Look up how Gartner and Forrester have ranked the provider in the security space. For instance, where do they place in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Managed Security Services?
4. Security Operations Center (SOC) details.
Is the provider’s SOC internal or operated by a third party? You should also research SOC locations, whether they offer 24/7 support, the number of analysts working in the SOC, and which services they offer.
5. Total security customers.
How many managed cybersecurity clients does the provider already serve?
6. Ideal client size.
What’s the supplier’s minimum and ideal deal size for ongoing managed cybersecurity services?
7. Cybersecurity package details.
What are their service packages? Ask for details about the products and services included in each offering.
8. Compliance services.
Does the provider offer risk and compliance assessments required by your industry?
9. Pen testing and vulnerability scanning.
You’ll want to find an MSSP that offers these services to ensure you find and fix weak spots before hackers can exploit them.
10. Email security options.
What products does the provider leverage to detect and contain malicious messages? Phishing is common, so this feature is crucial.
11. End user training.
What does the provider offer in terms of security awareness training? You’ll want to conduct recurring training sessions (at least once per year) to ensure your staff members can recognize threats and follow best practices for optimal data security.
12. Managed detection and response (MDR).
Does the provider utilize MDR solutions? This can include network MDR (NDR), endpoint MDR (MDR), and extended detection and response (XDR).
13. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) mitigation.
Can the supplier block DDoS attacks? This is particularly important if you do business online.
14. Web Application Firewall (WAF).
Will the provider implement a WAF to safeguard against attacks on internet-facing apps?
15. Secure access service edge (SASE) and zero-trust network architecture.
SASE and zero-trust solutions minimize risks for remote and mobile workers.
16. Identity and access management solutions.
This might include single sign-on (SSO), cloud access security broker, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to limit access to sensitive data to those who genuinely need it.
17. Incident response services.
Does the provider offer incident response services to minimize damage if attackers make it past your defenses?
18. Virtual CISO (vCISO).
Outsourced CISO services can allow your business to maintain the best security posture without investing the time and funds needed to recruit and retain an in-house CISO.
If you want to streamline your search, our technology advisors can assist you and connect you with leading managed cybersecurity service providers in our partner network. With extensive IT security solution experience, a vast partner network, and advanced tools, we can produce objective comparison matrices and rapidly identify the best options based on your pain points, requirements, and objectives.
Schedule a consultation with our advisors today by calling 877-599-3999 or emailing sales@stratospherenetworks.com.
