How an MSP Enables Zero-trust Cybersecurity

The majority of organizations today have already started to implement zero-trust cybersecurity — or are hoping to implement it in the future. But many have been putting it off because the changes involved appear to be so extensive. If your organization is considering zero-trust cybersecurity, you should also be considering the benefits that an MSP may be able to bring to the table for the implementation thereof. An MSP can help you not only adopt zero-trust standards, but also maintain them.

Let’s take a look at how an MSP can enable zero-trust cybersecurity in your business.

MSPs are already experts in zero-trust cybersecurity.

What is the first step toward zero-trust cybersecurity?

For many organizations, it would be learning what zero-trust cybersecurity really entails. And that can take a lot of time, especially if your IT team is smaller. Instead, you can hire an MSP that is already an expert in everything zero-trust. In the meantime, your internal IT team can continue performing the activities that keep your business up, running and growing.

MSPs excel at being knowledgeable about new technologies, infrastructures and standards. An MSP often has extensive resources it can apply to new technologies, whereas internal IT teams have to be concerned with the organization as a whole. So, not only will MSPs be able to bring you to current standards, but they’ll be able to keep you there.

An MSP will be able to enforce zero-trust standards from outside the organization.

Have you ever heard that zero-trust can create a “culture of distrust?” It’s a myth, of course, but this myth keys into why an MSP is often an important intermediary.

A significant amount of zero-trust cybersecurity has to do with systems architecture and documentation, but it also has to do with people. When a C-suite executive asks, “But why can’t I get into ____ files?” it can be hard for an internal IT team to say, “we don’t trust you.” And, of course, that’s not really the reason. The reason is that the C-suite executive in question has no reason to be in direct control of those files.

It can be difficult to implement zero-trust standards in existing organizations because the people involved, whether employees or C-suite, have become accustomed to being able to manipulate and connect with everything within the system. Explaining that certain things are locked away can be a difficult task for an internal team and it can put the IT team in a difficult position. An MSP can enforce zero-trust standards from outside of the organization and outside office politics. The answer then becomes: “Sorry, our security guys won’t let us do it.”

MSPs have access to technologies that can be used to implement zero-trust.

How will your organization establish multi-factor authentication? Is your system already single-sign-on? How will you be able to manage permissions? Will you have a dashboard that can identify any potential breaches and detect suspicious behavior?

MSPs have already done research on the technologies that can best support zero-trust. They can bring these technologies to you and support them, rather than you having to do all the research and work for yourself (or having to pay an expensive outside consultant).

An MSP can monitor and manage the technology behind zero-trust infrastructure.

Once the zero-trust infrastructure has been established, the work isn’t done. As new employees come in, permission must be assessed. Every year, the entire system will need to be audited. As employees leave, permission needs to be taken away — immediately. When new data comes in, when new products are integrated, and more, the entire network has to be managed. MSPs can provide complete monitoring, management and even help desk support — so the company can continue to move forward effectively with its zero-trust infrastructure in place.

MSPs provide additional resources, in terms of work hours and specialization.

Without the resources that you need to switch to zero-trust, it’s simply not possible. Some companies don’t even have the additional work hours available to get into the documentation and processes that a zero-trust philosophy would need. MSPs provide critical resources that a company can leverage outside of their regular work-related activities.

Most companies today understand that zero-trust cybersecurity is the natural evolution of security infrastructure and technology. With networks becoming larger, more complex and more important by the day, it becomes necessary to ensure that there are no malicious actors.

At the same time, most organizations aren’t prepared to readily switch to a zero-trust cybersecurity architecture themselves. Zero-trust cybersecurity requires extensive changes not only to the way the network is configured and the infrastructure is orchestrated, but also to the way that employees operate. Documentation, processes and procedures have to be changed, updated and improved — and most organizations cannot devote the time, energy and staff to such an extensive transition.

MSPs can help. But it should also be noted that not every MSP is an expert in zero-trust cybersecurity. You need an MSP that is experienced. Contact Red River to learn more about cybersecurity zero-trust.