Managed Security Services

What are the differences between a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) and a Managed Service Provider (MSP)?

The differences between an MSSP and MSP are subtle but important. And yes, your MSP, if properly qualified like The ITeam, can also be your MSSP. As technology takes center stage for most organizations, you will likely find more and more MSPs offering MSSP services as well, especially as compliance audits become more common.

Your MSP works with your organization to help align your IT strategy with your business strategy. The primary focus of the MSP is on uptime, making sure that you have access to your data, that your data is secure, and that every system you use is effectively managed, secured, and updated.

The role of the MSSP is more proactive in building strong defenses against security threats, addressing security vulnerabilities, and conducting compliance checks with essential security controls and security monitoring. Managed security services are designed to make sure that your network is performing at optimum levels, that network security is optimized, and focused on operational efficiencies through the use of vulnerability scanning tools.

Managing security in-house can be complex and costly. By outsourcing to an MSSP, not only will your organization save money but will also gain access to the expertise and capabilities of the MSSP.

• 24/7/365 Threat Detection
  24/7/365 threat detection is crucial for your Calgary business to better protect against cyber attacks and mitigate risk. Because cybercriminals don’t work Monday-Friday, you’re your threat detection can’t take nights and weekends off either. By monitoring for threats 24/7/365, it not only prevents most attacks from occurring but also minimizes the damage an attack could potentially have.
• Improved Compliance
  Compliance continues to overwhelm most organizations, but the risk of being out of compliance can be extremely costly in terms of risk to data, fines from governing agencies, and loss of cyber insurance. This increased complexity of regulatory audit compliance becomes a costly effort. Your MSSP can help ensure that you have the required security by conducting regular compliance checks as well as the required reporting in place to demonstrate your efforts.
• Reduced Cyber Risk
  Not only does your MSSP help reduce your cyber risk, but they are able to achieve economies of scale that allow you to invest less money and get more robust protection.

Outsourcing your managed security needs to an MSSP elevates your level of protection by extending the services you already have with your MSP for back up and disaster recovery, cloud hosting, and vCIO services with sophisticated vulnerability scanning and threat detection tools that can thwart the threats to your network. These are the top three reasons your Calgary business needs an MSSP:

1. Access to state-of-the-art business cybersecurity tools, including sophisticated access control and vulnerability scanning solutions, without the exorbitant cost.
   For an individual business to invest in these security tools for their own company, the cost would be prohibitive. However, by partnering with an MSSP who can use the technology for several clients allows each client to spend a fraction of what they would have to invest individually.
2. Access to a team of experts without having to attract, hire, and retain an internal team.
   There is a shortage of cyber security experts, and with every company vying for talent, hiring internal teams can be costly and frustrating, as turnover can be high. Relying on an MSSP, who has a deep level of expertise among its cybersecurity team, can ensure that your organization always has access to skilled experts without the administrative frustration.
3. Consistent monitoring and proactive threat detection.
   Your MSSP will conduct regular vulnerability scans and penetration testing to protect your network, data, and employees more effectively.

With the significant increase in ransomware, Business Email Compromise (BEC), and other phishing scams, outsourcing managed security services is a smart move for most Calgary businesses. How do you choose the right Calgary MSSP for your business? We suggest evaluating the following criteria:

• Expertise and Experience
  Does the MSSP have the needed expertise, particularly with your size of business and your industry? How long has the company been in business? Do they have a stable company with long-term employees? Do the employees demonstrate a level of expertise that not only indicates existing training and education but a passion for being at the forefront of the industry?
• Services
  Does the MSSP offer the services you need for your organization? No two organizations have precisely the same needs, so be sure to look for an MSSP that is willing to customize or personalize their services to meet your needs.
• References
  Go beyond the case studies and testimonials that the MSSP shares on their website. What kind of reviews do they have on Google? On Clutch? What do clients say about their customer support and availability?

As you evaluate managed security service providers, there are many pitfalls you should try to avoid.

1. Prioritizing Cost over Quality and Expertise
   Yes, you want to be fiscally responsible when choosing security service provider and not spend frivolously, you also don’t want to opt for the cheapest solution simply because it saves you a few dollars per month. Doing so could end up costing you more in the long run when you don’t have the experts and commitment to quality you need.
2. Scalability
   It is crucial that you choose an MSSP that can scale with you as you grow – and scale back for you when you need to. Scalability allows the solutions you put in place to prevent cyber attacks to grow with your network, number of team members, and number of locations.
3. Failure to Vet MSSP
   Before agreeing to work with any MSSP and before signing any kind of contract, perform your due diligence and make sure the MSSP you’ve chosen has a record of success in the industry. They should have well-established industry connections and solid reviews from a variety of clients in a wide array of industries.
4. One-Size-Fits-All
   A big pitfall for Calgary businesses is choosing an MSSP who applies the exact same services, solutions, and contracts to every one of their clients. If you don’t feel the MSSP is listening to you, understanding your concerns, and addresses your specific needs, it’s likely not a great fit.
5. Customer Support
   Do you wait weeks for a return phone call or feel the MSSP is not fully engaged with you when you’re talking about your needs? Do you struggle to get simple questions answered about how the service works or what it costs? Trust your instincts. If you don’t feel supported and valued, you’re in the wrong place.