A managed security service provider can be a godsend for many businesses. Put simply; it can mean no longer having to worry about risks that a company is ill-equipped to deal with in-house, whether that's due to a lack of resources or expertise. Seeking an expert provider allows employees to focus on their own important tasks, without taking on the added responsibility of security management.
Professional help in this area also enables security monitoring outside of office hours. And the team at Syntax IT Support London has put together this guide to tell you what you should be looking for in an MSSP, to get the best for your business.
1. Reputation
Putting your business's security in the hands of an external provider isn't something to be taken lightly. You want to be sure that the team responsible for protecting your assets knows exactly what they're doing and have the reputation to prove it.
Don't shy away from asking important questions: find out how long a potential provider has been active in the industry and look at the feedback they've received from other customers. A provider's reputation will give you a good idea of their capabilities, and by doing a bit of research, you can make sure that they'll be able to manage your security issues.
2. A good understanding of your business
A good provider should always have a thorough understanding of your business and the rules and regulations that must be followed within it. It is vital for them to take these regulations seriously and ensure that sensitive data is protected so that your business can continue to protect its customers. If an MSSP has other clients in a similar line of business to your own, they might be a good fit. Ensure that any potential provider is committed to compliance and your business's specific requirements.
3. Service level
You should always find a provider that will offer you the level of service you require. This may seem obvious, but MSSPs vary in the service level they provide, and not all will fit your business's needs. Some providers offer a thorough incident response system while others focus solely on monitoring for intrusions. Some will have expertise in specific areas of security, which may or may not be valuable to you, depending on what you're looking for. Consider whether you need help with only specific security devices, or are looking for a complete end-to-end security service.
4. Customer support
The best Managed Security Services Providers offer 24/7 support to their customers. This is the ideal, as security breaches can occur at any time of the day and you might find yourself needing support outside of normal working hours. As well as good access to support, the level of help offered should also be up to scratch. You want a patient-provider, willing to explain procedures and answer all your questions, big or small. If you're not getting enough support from an MSSP, you should consider whether they're worth keeping around.
5. Security measures
All MSSPs should be monitoring for intrusions and keeping your company safe from the more obvious threats, but how impressive is their approach really? A great provider will always be on the lookout for new threats and will keep their protection methods up to date by evolving and adapting as security threats change and new technology can be utilised.
You want to find a provider that is always ahead of the game so that your own business is too.
Staying secure is vital in business, so take your time when looking to hire a new MSSP. By doing thorough research, asking questions and comparing candidates carefully, you can find a great provider and potentially never have to worry about security again.
