Top 9 Qualities of a Great Cybersecurity Managed Services Provider
You’re looking for a cybersecurity managed services provider or managed security services provider (MSSP) and it’s a critical choice; cybercrime costs trillions every year. Your MSSP will control a lot of elements of your organization’s IT infrastructure.
An MSSP that is ill-suited to you could introduce friction into your employee experience (poor logins, poor management), overcharge you or (the worst) introduce security flaws to your system. You want a responsive MSSP you can trust, an MSSP that can perform security assessments and manage your security from top to bottom.
This article outlines the nine essential qualities necessary in an MSSP. These aren’t the only qualities that you need — every organization is different — but they are the minimum required.
1. Comprehensive security solutions
A great cybersecurity managed services provider should have a portfolio of security solutions that can defend against the latest threats and keep your data safe. Look for providers that offer advanced threat detection, malware protection, endpoint security and other security measures to ensure all angles are covered.
You need your security system to be entirely comprehensive. And that also means you need your MSSP to create a holistic solution for you that includes all the solutions that you need, from edge security to SaaS, and integrates them well.
2. Expertise in your industry or field
The right managed services provider should have a deep understanding of your industry, its specific threats and how to combat them. Look for providers that have experience in your sector and understand the complexities of it so they can better protect you against cyberattacks.
Healthcare companies have different needs from education companies. Education companies have different needs from telecommunications or financial technologies companies. You need a company that has served your industry before or that has a comprehensive solution for building its expertise.
3. Proactive monitoring solutions
Top security providers offer 24/7 monitoring and intelligent security solutions to detect and respond to potential threats in real time. They should also have the necessary tools in place to anticipate upcoming issues and prevent them from becoming bigger problems.
Today, not only are the best cybersecurity companies providing proactive monitoring, but they’re providing AI/ML solutions, too.
4. Current security knowledge
Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so it’s important to work with a provider that can keep up with the latest developments. Look for providers that invest in ongoing training and education to ensure their staff is up to date on the latest threats and solutions, including cloud security services.
There are companies that have been around since the 80s, but if they haven’t refreshed their knowledge, then they’re still working with outdated techniques. You don’t want an MSP that will create a batch file on your on-site server (or do you?) You more likely need an MSP that can support your growing needs on AWS or Azure.
5. Adaptable security strategies
A great managed services provider should be able to adapt their security strategies based on the specific needs of your business. They should be willing to update their approach as needed to ensure your systems stay secure and compliant.
And that’s because compliance today is always changing. There are new systems that are in place for things like hyper automation and quantum computing. They need to futureproof your systems, not just make them secure today.
6. Clear and easy communication
Your managed services provider should have clear communication protocols in place so they can quickly respond to security incidents and provide the necessary updates to your team. This way, you’ll always be informed on the status of your security and any changes that need to be made.
If you’re communicating with an MSP and your point-of-contact keeps changing, then you aren’t getting the best service that you need. You need someone who will know your system inside-and-out, frequently better than you do.
7. Easy tooling
Look for a managed services provider that offers easy-to-use tools and solutions so you can quickly identify and address security incidents. This will help reduce the time it takes to respond to threats and minimize the impact on your business operations.
Also ensure that they will provide training for their tools and continued support. Your employees could be your weakest link.
8. Comprehensive reporting
Look for a managed services provider that offers comprehensive reporting so you can track the progress of your security efforts. This will help you make sure everything is working as intended and identify any issues that need to be addressed. The right reports should include data on threats, vulnerabilities, incidents, and response times.
Even the best MSSP knows there’s always room for improvement. Comprehensive reporting helps you manage your success metrics and improve proactively.
9. A budget that works for you
In addition to all these qualities, it’s important to find a managed services provider that offers a budget that works for you. Look for providers that offer flexible pricing models and payment options so you can get the security you need. They should be able to investigate your needs and determine the right budget.
You neither want an MSSP that’s too cheap or too expensive. Rather, the benefit of an MSSP is to pay for exactly the services sand solutions that are right for you, while foregoing any services and solutions that won’t have an ultimate benefit to your ROI.
The cost of breaches is growing. By selecting a managed services provider with these qualities, you can rest assured that your business will be well-protected against the latest cyber threats. This can help you maintain a secure environment, ensure compliance with industry regulations, and keep your data safe.
But you also want someone who works well with you — someone who properly represents your company’s values and mission. If your organization priorities sustainability, giving back to the community, or just a great employee experience, you’ll find that your relationship is smoother if you find another organization that meshes well with yours.
Red River is the perfect cybersecurity managed services provider for all your security needs. We offer comprehensive monitoring and protection as well as other managed services to accelerate your organizational growth. Contact us today to find out more.
