7 Features of the Best Network Security Software

Cyber security is increasingly becoming more complex. Today’s security requirements are widespread with a multitude of solution and service options available to the resolve the changing threats and vulnerabilities. In addition, the security service landscape is changing with an ever-growing number of endpoints, IoT devices and third-party applications to manage. To support this need for change, it’s critical that an organization develop a strategy to address areas of capability around an advanced security solution.

Many organizations have a good idea of what they want to do but are budget or resource constrained on how they want to do it. This is where leveraging a Managed Security Provider (MSP) can come into play. By selecting the right MSP the reality of a cost effective comprehensive security solution can effectively enable and ensure that an organization is protected – while reducing demanding constant administration.

Here are some leading-edge technologies and services to consider when selecting an MSP to provide your organization with an advanced set of security capabilities to meet today’s evolving threat landscape.

Managed Detection and Response Services

Very few organizations want to invest the entirety of their IT department into their network security. IT departments need to be focused on other things: in-house initiatives, supporting team members and managing and maintaining other critical architecture. When internal IT departments are constantly responding to network-related threats, they aren’t able to get the rest of their job done.

Managed detection and response services provide 24/7 monitoring and support. An organization is able to free up its internal IT staff and focus on what’s most important, while the managed detection and response team cleans up security-related issues. 

Machine Learning Algorithms and Pattern Detection

AI machine learning algorithms are able to detect patterns that humans simply can’t identify. With network threats becoming more advanced all the time, it’s necessary to have advanced algorithms that will detect them. A network threat today may have never been seen before, but an AI algorithm will be able to identify the behaviors that indicate that something malicious or dangerous is occurring. These AI algorithms learn more about a system over time and consequently become even more effective.

Advanced Endpoint Protection

Modern networks have thousands of endpoints. Just a decade ago, it was fairly rare for companies to have to govern so many endpoints; a simple Mobile Device Management policy was enough. Now, endpoints are constantly being added, and many of these endpoints are not properly secured. As users continue to use their home devices to manipulate company intellectual property, it becomes necessary for systems to secure all endpoints on the fly. The better and more dynamic endpoint connection is, the more secure a modern organization will be.

Real-Time Alerting and At-a-Glance Dashboards

Companies need to know when something has gone wrong as quickly as possible. When it comes to mitigating risk, seconds matter. Real-time alerting systems and at-a-glance dashboards make it easier for those who are responsible for the system to be alerted when something has to be addressed. 

The easier it is to customize the reporting and the dashboards, the more likely it is that these security alerts are going to be relevant. More relevant alerts mean less time chasing down unimportant glitches, and more time managing the system as it should be managed. 

Observability and Traceability

As systems become more complex, it becomes necessary for the network security software to be able to pare down to exactly where a fault has occurred. This is especially true now that so many endpoints are being introduced. Observability and traceability features make it possible for administrators to immediately see where errors are coming from, whether they’re inside core areas or elsewhere. 

Most systems are going to experience security faults through third-party applications. Better observability means that faults within these third-party applications will be identified before they become a problem.

Incident Verification and Risk Assessment

Not all security risks are major, though they all need to be logged. Security administrators need to know exactly how high-risk an issue is, so they can prioritize the issues they look into. Modern, advanced network security software systems should provide basic incident verification features and comprehensive risk assessment, so administrators are able to focus on the most important problems first.

As systems grow, it’s likely that network administrators will encounter a multitude of threats every week. Administrators need to be able to respond to these threats in terms of risk, or they risk a major issue breaking through. 

NIST Security Compliance, HIPAA and PCI

Security compliance is changing every year and many organizations are turning to NIST security framework standards to help organize security controls and compliance requirements. In additional mandates such as HIPAA and PCI need to be followed by organizations within the relevant industries. The best network security software will provide compliance for the most common security regulations, so companies can rest assured that their data is being protected to all necessary standards.

There are many network solutions out there, but not all of them are up to the task of fighting off the most recent threats. Companies need network security software they can trust. Red River and the Alert Logic Threat Manager can help. Learn more about Alert Logic’s threat detection response today. 

{{cta(‘5577928e-dc9b-4bfd-a925-a57d313ac003′,’justifycenter’)}}