Cloud Security Managed Services vs. Cloud Security Management: Is There a Difference?

In recent years, businesses and organizations increasingly adopted cloud computing to store, manage and access their data and applications. As a result, cloud security became a critical concern for protecting sensitive information from data breaches and cyber threats. Two common approaches to cloud security are cloud security managed services and cloud security management. While these terms seem similar, they are, in fact, quite different.

WHAT ARE CLOUD SECURITY MANAGED services?

What happens when an organization can’t manage and monitor its cybersecurity on its own? Well, it hires a professional. Cloud security managed services are a type of outsourcing model where a third-party provider offers a range of security services to an organization. Typically, this is a service where an IT third-party provider manages and monitors a company’s cybersecurity. These services may include:

• Data encryption
• Firewalls
• Intrusion detection
• Risk mitigation/intrusion prevention
• Vulnerability scanning
• Penetration Testing
• Ongoing and regular risk assessment
• Security help desk
• And more

As part of the cloud security managed services offering, the third-party vendor will help their client stay up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities while also providing 24/7 monitoring services. The goal is to prevent cyber breach and to monitor security infrastructures so that they are functioning efficiently and effectively.

One of the major benefits of cloud security managed security offerings is that the provider takes on the responsibility of ensuring your cybersecurity. You don’t need an internal technical team to handle your risk; everything is done for you. Your organization can focus on core business functions rather than having to continually update its own security systems. Outsourcing also offers big benefits for smaller organizations that may not have the resources to maintain a dedicated security team.

Another advantage of cloud security managed services is that these organizations coverage of your critical infrastructures throughout the year. For smaller organizations, staffing a 24/7 security monitoring service is cost prohibitive. But the reality is that security incidents can occur at any time. Having an experienced team of security professionals around the clock can help organizations quickly respond to security threats and mitigate the impact of a security breach.

Managed cyber security encompasses cloud security management, insofar as cloud security management is a type of managed cyber security service. But they’re not the same thing.

WHAT IS CLOUD SECURITY MANAGEMENT?

Cloud security management is a service in which an organization contracts with a provider to manage and monitor its security in the cloud. Cloud security management refers to the processes and tools used by organizations to manage their own cloud security. This can include tasks such as configuring security settings, monitoring for security threats and responding to security incidents. These services, when outsourced, are one-off tasks, unlike cloud security managed services, which is a full-service offering.

With this context in mind, it’s important to understand that cloud security management still includes tasks such as vulnerability scanning, penetration testing and risk assessment, services that are only rendered through the cloud. Furthermore, cloud security can be network-wide, or security may be delivered to a single app or a specific ecosystem.

For instance, a company might invest in infrastructure-as-a-service and have its entire infrastructure secured in the cloud. Alternatively, a company might embark on Microsoft Azure/Office 365 and have cloud security management for these specific services. And a lot of individual apps today also come with their own version of security management, although relying on individual apps to secure themselves is usually just a way to create points of failure.

CLOUD SECURITY MANAGED SERVICES VS. CLOUD SECURITY MANAGEMENT: IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

The main difference between cloud security managed services and cloud security management is that managed cyber security services are focused on on-premises cybersecurity, while cloud security management is focused on securing data in the cloud.

Organizations should consider which service is best for them based on their needs. If they need help securing their on-premises data, then cloud security managed services are the best option. If they need help securing their data in the cloud, then cloud security management is the best option.

Organizations should also consider the size of their business and their budget when deciding on which service to employ. Cloud security managed services can be more expensive than cloud security management, but this depends on the third-party outsourcing partner you choose.

At the end of the day, it’s important to choose a service that will best meet your organization’s needs. Cloud security managed services and cloud security management are both great options, but they are also different options.

DOES YOUR ORGANIZATION NEED CLOUD SECURITY MANAGED SERVICES OR CLOUD SECURITY MANAGEMENT?

Now that we’ve discussed the differences between cloud security managed services and cloud security management, let’s take a look at which one you might need.

If your organization is running primarily on the cloud, consider using cloud security management. Cloud security management is even more flexible than general managed cybersecurity services. Cloud security management requires organizations to have their own in-house security staff or to train existing staff on cloud security best practices. It requires organizations to have a comprehensive understanding of their existing cloud infrastructure and any security risks associated with it.

On the other hand, cloud security management has advantages in that it gives organizations greater control over their security posture. Because they are responsible for meeting their own security, organizations can customize their security measures to meet their specific needs and requirements.

If you have a significant amount of on-premises infrastructure, it may be better to engage with a managed cybersecurity company. And, of course, these also aren’t mutually exclusive. A cloud security managed services company can also provide you with cloud security management. If you have a hybrid solution, you might need both services, which may or may not come from the same provider.

FINDING THE RIGHT MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER

Choosing the right cybersecurity managed service provider is an important decision for any organization, as it can have a significant impact on the organization’s security posture and overall success in achieving data security.

While cloud security managed services and cloud security management share a common goal of protecting cloud-based data and applications, they are fundamentally different approaches to achieving your goals. Ultimately, you may need cloud security managed services or cloud security management—it depends on your organization’s infrastructure.  But how do you find the right provider?

The best way to find a provider is to ask for referrals from other businesses. This will help you find a provider that has a proven track record and meets your specific needs. You can also look for providers on the internet but look up reviews and testimonials first. Also, ask the provider for references and reach out to them to confirm the intangibles, such as the vendor’s level of communication and service.

Take the time to evaluate the technology your cyber-partner will use. Look for relevant certifications, such as the SOC 2 or other standards for security and data protection.

When comparing providers, be sure to ask about their experience in cybersecurity, their rates and their services. You should also ask for references so you can hear from other businesses about their experiences with the provider.

When making your decision, keep the following in mind:

• The size of your organization. If you have a tremendously large organization all running on-premises endpoints, then you probably need a comprehensive MSP. If you have a smaller organization all working on the cloud, you may only need some basic cloud security management.
• Your budget. Both cloud security managed services and cloud security management can be provided to suit different budgets. In general, managed cybersecurity services will be more expensive simply because they’re more comprehensive.
• The services you need. It’s a no-brainer; if you have a lot of cloud services, you may as well go with cloud security management. But what if you also need to manage a lot of IoT devices, mobile devices and other endpoints? Discuss your needs with your provider and they’ll tell you which system is best.
• The experience of the provider. Ideally, you should always go with a provider who has experience with similar companies or companies in your industry. Securing a company is different depending on the type of company; a medical service will need different layers of security than an educational service.
• The provider’s approach to security. Look for a managed services company with a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, including proactive threat detection and response incident management and security training and awareness programs.

Your organization’s ecosystem will also matter. An on-premises installation of Linux is vastly different to maintain than a cloud-based installation of Office 365. Finding a service that specializes in your own company’s infrastructure will help.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use cloud security managed services or cloud security management will depend on an organization’s unique needs and requirements. Organization should carefully evaluate their options and consider internal and factors as well as their options for partnering with a third-party provider.

Not sure what you need? Contact Red River today to explore the cybersecurity services available to your organization.