What should you consider when selecting an IT security outsourcing provider for incident response?

1 Experience and expertise

The first thing you should look for in an IT security outsourcing provider is their track record and qualifications in incident response. You want a provider that has proven experience in handling various types of incidents, such as ransomware, denial-of-service, data breaches, and insider threats, across different industries and environments. You also want a provider that has certified and skilled professionals who can use the latest tools and techniques to respond to incidents effectively and efficiently. Ask for references, case studies, and testimonials to verify their experience and expertise.

2 Availability and scalability

The second thing you should consider is the availability and scalability of the IT security outsourcing provider. You need a provider that can respond to incidents 24/7, regardless of the time zone, location, or volume of incidents. You also need a provider that can scale up or down their resources and capabilities according to your needs and budget. You don't want to pay for services that you don't use, or suffer from delays or bottlenecks when you need them the most. Ask for service level agreements, performance metrics, and contingency plans to ensure their availability and scalability.

3 Communication and collaboration

The third thing you should evaluate is the communication and collaboration skills of the IT security outsourcing provider. You need a provider that can communicate clearly and promptly with you and your internal stakeholders, such as IT staff, management, legal, and public relations, throughout the incident response process. You also need a provider that can collaborate effectively with your existing IT security vendors, partners, and authorities, such as antivirus, firewall, cloud, and law enforcement, to coordinate and integrate their efforts. Ask for communication protocols, escalation procedures, and reporting formats to assess their communication and collaboration skills.

4 Compliance and confidentiality

The fourth thing you should check is the compliance and confidentiality standards of the IT security outsourcing provider. You need a provider that can comply with the relevant laws, regulations, and best practices that govern your industry and region, such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and NIST. You also need a provider that can protect the confidentiality and integrity of your sensitive data and information, such as customer records, intellectual property, and trade secrets, during and after the incident response process. Ask for compliance certificates, audit reports, and non-disclosure agreements to verify their compliance and confidentiality standards.

5 Cost and value

The fifth thing you should compare is the cost and value of the IT security outsourcing provider. You need a provider that can offer you a fair and transparent pricing model that reflects the quality and scope of their services. You also need a provider that can deliver you a positive return on investment by reducing the impact and cost of incidents, improving your IT security posture and resilience, and enhancing your reputation and trust among your customers and stakeholders. Ask for cost breakdowns, value propositions, and success stories to measure their cost and value.

6 Culture and fit

The sixth thing you should consider is the culture and fit of the IT security outsourcing provider. You need a provider that can align with your vision, mission, and values, and understand your goals, challenges, and expectations. You also need a provider that can build a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship with you, based on trust, respect, and honesty. Ask for feedback, reviews, and referrals to gauge their culture and fit.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?