How can you use managed services to improve your cybersecurity?

One of the toughest parts of managing security monitoring and incident response is the 1000s of daily alerts that need to be dealt with. Even with software tools to help detect attacks and manage response, experienced people are needed to help prioritize events - often 24/7 since attackers don't just work bankers hours. This is where bringing in the right managed service can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of a cybersecurity program. Oftentimes, only the largest of organizations can staff and run their own Security Operations Center (SOC). Managed Services gives even smaller organizations the capabilities they need to identify, investigate, triage and respond to security events.

Outsourcing can be an effective force multiplier in your overall security posture and is necessary for some large tasks such as audit & assurance work around your organizational security posture. However, you must remain cognizant of how much you are handing to a 3rd party and whether you will obtain true value. As an example, when outsourcing security operations tasks, you will be engaging with 3rd parties who support multiple customers for these services. This can introduce additional supply chain risks and you may find that these shared services cannot match a dedicated team. As with all things, due diligence and balancing the risk against the desired outcomes is essential before engaging with outsourcing.

Managed services are excellent when you partner with your MSP and leverage them to execute your strategy. MSPs aren’t saviors; however, they are an extension of your team. When your internal security team gets a pen test report or threat data, work with your team and also delegate remediation to your MSP. That way, you can get more done with less internal resources.

I believe outsourcing Security Tasks is probably the best way to start outsourcing. I have found it's easier to sell outsourcing before staff growth. But what's funny is if you can successfully get TASKS that take up 50+% of an associate's day then you are actually adding staff because they are free to work on more impactful projects. Outsourcing tasks and assigning a specific SLA and deliverable to the provider can actually improve the quality as well. Most managed service providers are adept at proving their work and reporting on efficacy (something we struggle with internally typically). Outsourcing tasks should be on your list!

Relieve your team of the burden of routine security tasks. Keep key responsibilities for system security in your organization (like ensure controls are in place, security tasks are being done, etc ). Last tip, count on a trusted security vendor for incident response, you'll be glad you have the best in the business.

Outside of the already mentioned benefits like technical know-how, best practices and proactive monitoring - managed services insulate organizations from HR challenges like staff turnover, knowledge transfer, resource availability and trust issues. MSPs don't get sick, take vacations or resign - they are always online, always plugged in and always responsive within timeframes agreed within Service Level Agreements. This alone is a huge plus for the human element behind cyber security.

Managed services can significantly enhance cybersecurity by providing access to sophisticated tools and technologies. Leveraging cloud-based solutions like firewalls, antivirus, encryption, and identity management, these services offer scalability and flexibility beyond conventional systems. Additionally, they enable the integration of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, automating security processes and increasing overall efficiency, all of which might be prohibitive cost-wise or complex to manage in-house.

It important to Accessing advanced security tools in your security infra, In my experience, Generative AI is the field of artificial intelligence focused on creating models and systems capable of generating new and original content. Generative AI is a broad term that can be used for any AI system whose primary function is to generate content. This is in contrast to AI systems that perform other functions, such as classifying data, grouping data (for example, identifying customer segments with similar purchasing behavior), or choosing actions (for example, steering an autonomous vehicle). This will be a best option for invest in new tool.

Managed services may not necessarily be the right choice if you are required to align with a specific standard, and we must not tire of reminding ourselves (or our organization) that successfully aligning with a standard or framework is something that the organization must practice continuously, with the issuing (or re-issuing) of certificates being a point-in-time reflection of that practice. There's no shortcut to be taken here, and understanding which standard to align to is integral to successful outcomes.

You can have the MSP provide the guidelines and best practices for information security programs but the company has to manage the expectations of the coworkers and enforce the guidelines. Processes, policies and guidelines are great but if they are not enforced and followed they are not going to be successful. MSP’s provide the guidance and best practices, internal company management has to own the culture.

Managed services can elevate your cybersecurity by ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulations. They aid in implementing frameworks like ISO 27001, NIST, and COBIT, providing best practices for information security management. This compliance not only meets legal and ethical obligations but also boosts your reputation and trustworthiness among clients and partners. Moreover, managed services can guide you toward achieving certifications that showcase your commitment to robust security measures and quality assurance.

Managed security serviceadopt frameworks and models, s NIST, and COBIT, that provide guidelines and best practices for managing your information security, Administrative controls which define process and procedure requirements, such as an approval process before data access is granted. Many standards and regulations about information security and privacy share the common objective of protecting data confidentiality. Due to this shared goal, there are significant overlaps across the guidance and requirements. Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard- assign all users a unique identifier (ID).Immediately revoke access for any users who leave the company

Managed services can substantially enhance your cybersecurity by bolstering security awareness and training. They can deliver continuous education programs and personalized employee training, addressing human factor risks like phishing and social engineering. Through webinars, newsletters, and interactive simulations, your team becomes equipped to recognize and mitigate potential security threats. Custom training sessions further reinforce this knowledge, making your workforce an active part of your security defense.

3rd party services supporting ongoing training and awareness are great, as long as you apply them with purpose, and have a program in place to measure the effectiveness of your overall security awareness culture within the organization. Leveraging simulations and training, combined with metrics to measure against (e.g. % "success" rates of simulations tracked over time as a metric of your click-culture and human risk) will yield the best outcome for managing this effectively, in my experience.

Managed services can greatly improve cybersecurity by fostering better collaboration and communication within your organization and with partners. They help cultivate a security-centric culture and enhance responsiveness. By setting up dedicated security roles and committees and utilizing tools for real-time security reporting and feedback like dashboards and alerts, these services ensure that everyone is informed and proactive about security. Choosing a reputable provider ensures your security infrastructure is robust and your organizational needs and standards are met, leading to improved performance and resilience against threats.

When you think of collaboration, the first thing that comes to mind likely isn’t the security of your servers. But the sheer volume of files uploaded/downloaded from the cloud is massive, and more employees than ever are bringing their own devices to work. The sheer amount of network usage presents a growing number of opportunities for hackers and malware to get access to your system. Cyberthreats are growing in sophistication, Ransomware are getting surge here is the guidance you can prepare ad protect the rise #Multifactor_authentication at multiple level of network = prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account.

In my experience of handling such scenarios for manufacturing customers, here are few services enabled by managed services partners (MSP’s) 1. Network segmentation: Isolate critical OT from IT to prevent attacks, like Ransomware. 2. Industrial Control Systems & SCADA: Deploy firewalls & intrusion detection. 3. IoT security: Keep devices updated, use zero trust platforms. 4. Predictive maintenance & anomaly detection for on-premise and cloud apps. 5. Remote access & recovery planning. Since MSP’s handle varied customer requirement across industries, a knowledge base exists & avoids a learning curve for organisations.

Pros - Internal: - Good knowledge of the company - Easier communication and correlation of events between each department - Dedicated internal team Cons - Internal: - High cost to deploy and MCO (maintenance in operational condition) - Budget difficult to obtain and justify - Difficulty in finding experts - Very slow ripening time - Risk of conflict of interest between departments Pros - MSSP - More affordable and controlled costs - Budget easier to define and justify - Provision of experts - Scalability and flexibility - No conflict of interest with other departments - Immediate access to a mature SOC Cons - MSSP: - Complex reversibility - Change of mentality within the organization

Cyberthreats are growing in sophistication, Ransomware are getting surge here is the guidance you can prepare ad protect the rise of Ransomware. 1. hashtag#Multifactor_authentication at multiple level of network = prevent unauthorized users from accessing your account. 2. hashtag#Solid_endpoint_Security = protects your system from risky activity and/or malicious attack. 3. hashtag#Proper_logging - For tracking the system 4. hashtag#Vulnerability_management - Make sure patching the vulnerabilities and updating the servers. 5. hashtag#XDR - Extended detection and response, ability to accelerate the threat detection and act quickly on dangerous threats.