What Is A Managed Security Service Provider?

Organizations might hire a “managed security service provider” (MSSP) to handle their cyber protection needs. Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are responsible for the management and monitoring of a wide range of security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPNs, and other security-related technologies, to safeguard their clients’ networks and systems from cyber threats.

Threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response, and compliance management are all services commonly provided by MSSPs. Security consulting and risk assessments are additional services they may offer to clients.

Businesses can benefit from the knowledge and experience of MSSPs’ cybersecurity experts without having to set up and staff their own internal security operations centre. (SOC). Businesses of all sizes can benefit from this, but it can be especially useful for those with fewer resources to devote to cybersecurity management in-house. Keep reading this blog to know more about Managed Security Service Provider.

What are Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) Used For?

It is not enough to know what an MSSP is; one must also be familiar with its applications. When you work with an MSSP, you hand over control of your network’s security infrastructure to a third party. IT departments are freed up to focus on other initiatives in service of business goals when sensitive security systems are managed by a third party. Standard services consist of:

Managed firewalls are a type of service that improves threat management by employing the help of dedicated security professionals. These experts keep a continual eye on your firewall and are ready to respond to any potential dangers they detect. Employing a managed firewall is like paying for the services of a guard, police officer, and detective simultaneously. Network activity on your machine is being monitored for trends. The resulting patterns are then used to establish safety measures. When something happens outside of these bounds, an alarm is sent and the possible threat is dealt with.
Network intrusion detection: in the past, networks were likened to fortifications. Everything inside should be safe from thieves if the moat is large enough. However, state-of-the-art intrusion detection necessitates suspicion of everything and everyone, both inside and outside the “castle.” A competent MSSP’s intrusion detection services will safeguard all of your organisation’s devices and systems, preventing them from falling into the wrong hands or being exploited maliciously.
A managed security service provider (MSSP) can set up a virtual private network (VPN) to provide a safe haven for your company’s sensitive data and operations. Due to its isolation from other users, a private VPN greatly reduces its vulnerability to attack. If only essential users are given VPN access, your MSSP will only have to take precautions against those users’ devices.
An MSSP will scan your network for vulnerabilities in addition to identifying potential threats. Sometimes these include the kinds of things that hackers would naturally go for, such offices and private information. In other situations, criminals can exploit a vulnerability that is two or three layers removed from the target region or system. Whether it’s on the attack surface itself, right next to it, or several degrees away, an MSSP can locate any vulnerability.
Antivirus services: The number and variety of viruses that can infect a system are always growing, making it challenging for IT departments to keep up. An MSSP has the means to zero in on the malware that presents the greatest immediate risk to your network and its users. After identifying the most pressing threats, the MSSP can design a set of anti-virus services to counter them. Moreover, broad antiviral protections can be deployed at different nodes and layers across the network. Antiviral solutions, for instance, can be tailored to the security requirements of on-premises servers, while other solutions can be developed for use with servers hosted in the cloud.

10 Reasons To Partner With A Managed Security Services Provider

Many businesses still wait until they’ve been hit by a data breach before they invest in effective security measures, despite growing recognition of the need for preventative measures. As the number of cyber threats increases, it is essential that businesses place a premium on IT security. Managed security service providers are beneficial for businesses regardless of their security programme maturity or desire to increase their security capabilities.:

They Are Cheaper Than You Think

The SOC of most MSSPs consists of three separate groups. Level 1 centres perform initial triage and continuous monitoring around the clock. When Level 1 needs assistance, they can contact Level 2, and Level 3 handles Advanced Escalations, Incident Response, and Threat Hunting. This requires at least five Level 1’s, one Level 2, and one Level 3, and that’s without the luxuries of a SOC Manager and Threat Intelligence.

A minimum of seven professionals will be keeping an eye on your network if you go with an MSSP. With our team, you benefit from the expertise of many people who have studied and worked in their respective fields for a long time.

Access To The Knowledge And Skills Of An Entire Group

The Threat Intelligence and Experience of All Clients Is Shared With You.

A managed service provider (MSSP) typically has multiple clients. They have a wide range of clients in many different fields. The MSSP detects attacks against a wide variety of clients and can use this information to better safeguard its entire user base. For example, if a financial institution is attacked, the MSSP will record the incident in its Threat Intelligence database and keep tabs on the Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) used by attackers across all industries.

Your Systems Are Being Monitored

We are all aware that cybercriminals don’t adhere to the standard 9-5 workweek. As a matter of fact, many Threat Actors will target businesses after hours when they expect neither human nor technological surveillance. Therefore, it is crucial that your systems are constantly monitored. Most MSSPs (and this is an important question to ask when searching for an MSSP) offer continuous monitoring and, more importantly, respond to threats as soon as they are discovered. When necessary, your MSSP can contact your in-house crew after hours if necessary.

The MSSP Will Adapt and Shift as Technology Develops.

The pace at which safeguards are being improved is incredible. There seems to be a new acronym (looking at you, XDR) or intriguing technology appearing on the market every time we turn around. Security information and event management (SIEM) tools are not immune to evolution, improvement, or even regression.

You won’t need to investigate the underlying technology because your MSSP will have worked through the best options (again, it’s worth asking if you’re looking) for their customers. In addition, your MSSP should evolve alongside the state of the art, replacing outdated tools as they fall out of favour. If you’re the end user of a technology, you could be reluctant to make a change because of the time, money, and resources you’ve already put into it.

They Do More Than Just Monitoring

The rate at which safeguarding tools evolve is remarkable. There seems to be a new acronym (looking at you, XDR) or promising technology appearing on the market every time we turn around. Security information and event management (SIEM) tools are not immune to development, improvement, and even regression.

You won’t need to investigate the underlying technology because your MSSP will have worked through the best solutions (again, it’s worth asking if you’re looking) for their customers. In addition, your MSSP should evolve alongside the state of the art, replacing outdated tools as they fall out of favour. The final consumer of a technological product may be less motivated to make a change because of the time, effort, and money already invested in the product.

Receive More Than A MSSP

Gaining access to the expertise of an MSSP’s Offensive and Advisory teams is a great way to fortify your defences. By combining the defensive and offensive mindsets of the’red team’ and ‘blue team,’ you may strengthen your defences. You might have a security staff in-house, but they probably only know a little bit about everything.

They Can Foresee Potential Dangers And Implement Preventative Measures Sooner.

Finding the problems and reporting them is fine, but you also need a team that can act swiftly in the event of a confirmed security event. It’s unlikely that your staff is ready to spring into action at 2:00 a.m. on a Tuesday.

According to data gathered by Crowdstrike, a Russian-based threat actor needs less than 19 minutes to gain unauthorised access, lateral movement, privileged escalation, and data exfiltration.

Your MSSP can and should take precautionary measures in accordance with established protocols because they are monitoring your system around the clock. This ensures that your business is protected around the clock without requiring your staff to work through the night.

Insurance Costs Can Be Cut When a MSSP Is Used

In order to receive a premium estimate from most cyber insurers today, you will need to fill out a questionnaire. These questions will centre on your internal network controls. An increasing number of insurance providers are requesting proof of MSSP-provided round-the-clock monitoring. In cases where the answer is “yes,” the premium is likely to be lowered because the insurer will prefer that you have preventative measures in place.

Having a MSSP On Your Team Can Speed Up The Maturation Process.

MSSPs gain valuable insight into what works and what doesn’t in a wide range of settings thanks to their extensive customer base. With this newfound information in hand, they will be better equipped to aid all of their customers in improving their Cyber Security maturity in terms of processes, environment configuration, and controls.

If you hire an MSSP instead of setting up your own SOC, your networks will likely be monitored around the clock by some of the most qualified and experienced experts in digital security. You get access to cutting-edge tools, the perspectives of attackers and defenders, threat intelligence you wouldn’t have otherwise had, reduced premiums from many insurance providers, and the expertise of individuals who can tailor a solution to your company’s specific needs for a price that’s probably less than you think.

Reasons Why You Should Use a Managed Security Service

The security knowledge and extra manpower that managed security services offer are their primary advantages. The MSSP interface keeps a constant line of communication and seamless reporting to the business, allowing enterprises to carry out operations as usual with minimal disruption due to security initiatives. To free up time for security governance, rather than administrative tasks, MSSPs keep enterprise IT up-to-date on the status of security issues, audits, and maintenance.

MSSPs now provide a wide variety of security services, from the full outsourcing of security programmes to the provision of specialised services that address only one aspect of an organisation’s security needs. (such as threat monitoring, data protection, management of network security tools, regulatory compliance, or incident response and forensics). When businesses choose to outsource their security needs, they often save money by not having to fund a dedicated IT security department on-site. MSSPs are used by many businesses because they facilitate a quicker time-to-value on security investments and a simpler deployment process.

Conclusion

MSSPs are responsible for the management and monitoring of a wide range of security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPNs, and other security-related technologies. They provide threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response, and compliance management. Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) are beneficial for businesses due to their ability to scan their network for vulnerabilities, identify potential threats, design anti-virus services, and provide broad antiviral protections. They are also less expensive than you think and require a minimum of seven professionals to keep an eye on the network. MSSPs offer collective resources, shared threat intelligence, continuous monitoring, and the ability to respond to threats as soon as they are discovered.

MSSPs should have the best solutions for their customers, evolve with the times, and have Offensive and Advisory teams to ensure they have the best defences possible. MSSPs can reduce insurance premiums and accelerate cyber security maturity by providing round-the-clock monitoring and access to cutting-edge tools. MSSPs provide security knowledge and extra manpower, allowing enterprises to carry out operations with minimal disruption.

Content Summary

Organizations might hire a “managed security service provider” (MSSP) to handle their cyber protection needs.
Managed security service providers (MSSPs) are responsible for the management and monitoring of a wide range of security measures, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPNs, and other security-related technologies, to safeguard their clients’ networks and systems from cyber threats.
Threat intelligence, vulnerability management, incident response, and compliance management are all services commonly provided by MSSPs.
Security consulting and risk assessments are additional services they may offer to clients.
Businesses can benefit from the knowledge and experience of MSSPs’ cybersecurity experts without having to set up and staff their own internal security operations centre. (
SOC).
Businesses of all sizes can benefit from this, but it can be especially useful for those with fewer resources to devote to cybersecurity management in-house.
It is not enough to know what an MSSP is; one must also be familiar with its applications.
When you work with an MSSP, you hand over control of your network’s security infrastructure to a third party.
IT departments are freed up to focus on other initiatives in service of business goals when sensitive security systems are managed by a third party.
Standard services consist of:
Managed firewalls are a type of service that improves threat management by employing the help of dedicated security professionals.
These experts keep a continual eye on your firewall and are ready to respond to any potential dangers they detect.
Employing a managed firewall is like paying for the services of a guard, police officer, and detective simultaneously.
Network activity on your machine is being monitored for trends.
Network intrusion detection: in the past, networks were likened to fortifications.
However, state-of-the-art intrusion detection necessitates suspicion of everything and everyone, both inside and outside the “castle.”
A competent MSSP’s intrusion detection services will safeguard all of your organisation’s devices and systems, preventing them from falling into the wrong hands or being exploited maliciously.
A managed security service provider (MSSP) can set up a virtual private network (VPN) to provide a safe haven for your company’s sensitive data and operations.
Due to its isolation from other users, a private VPN greatly reduces its vulnerability to attack.
An MSSP will scan your network for vulnerabilities in addition to identifying potential threats.
Whether it’s on the attack surface itself, right next to it, or several degrees away, an MSSP can locate any vulnerability.
An MSSP has the means to zero in on the malware that presents the greatest immediate risk to your network and its users.
After identifying the most pressing threats, the MSSP can design a set of anti-virus services to counter them.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How does a managed security service provider work?

A managed security service provider (MSSP) offers network security services to an organization. As a third party, an MSSP can alleviate the strain on IT teams, as well as free up crucial time the organization needs to support and expand operations.

What are the biggest benefits of having a managed security service provider?

One of the main advantages of partnering with a MSSP is that it allows organizations to lower their training costs, investment costs, and recruitment costs. Many organizations choose a MSSP to help reduce their operational and investment costs.

What are the activities that can be monitored by an MSSP?

MSSPs provide cybersecurity monitoring and management, which may include virus and spam blocking, intrusion detection, firewalls and virtual private network (VPN) management. MSSPs also handle matters such as system changes, modifications and upgrades.

What are the roles & responsibilities of managed service provider?

A managed service provider (MSP) delivers services, such as network, application, infrastructure and security, via ongoing and regular support and active administration on customers’ premises, in their MSP’s data center (hosting), or in a third-party data center.

What are the advantages of MSS?

A benefit of managed security services is that your network goes through regular internal and external scans. The provider conducts configuration changes and hardens patches on all assets, devices, and applications based on these scans.