Agile MethodsJan Kahmen9 min read

Managed Services in Cyber Security

You can either set up your managed IT services in-house or outsource them to the cloud. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, with more and more companies opting for cloud solutions.

managed_services.jpg

Table of Content

The issue of cyber security is becoming more complex with each passing day. Tasks that companies could take on themselves a few years ago now belong in professional hands. After all, the fight against cyber criminals is a continuous undertaking. Because while the attackers are constantly learning, you also need to stay up to date. That's why managed cyber security services are a great alternative to help you protect your business.

Managed Security Services (MSS) - Specialized Providers for Better IT Security

Cyber Security has become more and more important for companies for years. Especially large corporations (multinational companies) emphasize higher security measures in their corporate strategy. The reason for this are hacker attacks, which are accompanied by ransom demands in the tens of millions. Therefore, for cyber security, managed services are an excellent way to professionalize security measures.
Managed security services (MSS) are a systemic approach that allows you to externally manage your organization's security needs. This external focus allows you to monitor IT systems and networks, detect security vulnerabilities, and actively combat attacks from hackers.
Unlike other approaches, managed security services take a comprehensive approach to security. They take all eventualities into account and are thus able to optimally coordinate necessary security measures.
Importantly, the managed service provider is often an external provider. This means that you do not have to entrust an internal IT department with this task. Instead, the managed services provider defines all security measures based on your security requirements. Delegating cyber security tasks to a managed services provider offers you numerous advantages in this regard: The most important is the high level of expertise that is not available in-house, especially for smaller companies.

On Premises vs. Cloud

You can either set up your Managed IT Services in-house or outsource them to the cloud. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, with more and more companies opting for cloud solutions.
On Premises: In this case, you run your managed IT services on-premises in your own data center. The external specialist continues to handle the installation, management of your security components and other services.
Cloud: For this variant, you do not need your own data center. Instead, you use the security and network services in the data center of a managed cloud. Depending on the provider, this can also be a multi-cloud environment.

Fully Managed vs. Co-Managed

Another distinction between managed services concerns the management of your cyber security. You can leave this management completely in external hands or take over part of it yourself.
Fully Managed: The Fully Managed variant means that you place all tasks in the hands of your cyber security managed services provider. The fully managed takeover makes your day-to-day business easier because you don't have to provide any hardware or software. The external service provider takes care of maintenance, monitoring and necessary security checks. If you do not have your own DevOps and DevSecOps team, this method is the best choice.
Co-Managed: Cyber security companies offer additional "co-managed security services." This means you integrate the security technology into the IT infrastructure yourself. However, the company often has only a small DevOps and DevSecOps team. Then hand over some of the responsibility to the external service provider. This approach involves a certain amount of time and coordination. That is why these co-managements are normally carried out on a time-limited basis.

Managed Cyber Security Services: Services at a Glance

The market for managed cyber security services is large and demand continues to grow. The scope of services offered by experts at turingsecure is correspondingly large. Typical services for
Managed Cyber Security Services include:

1. Securing the Network

Securing the network is a key task for more cyber security through managed services. MSS secure your company's LAN from the outside world by integrating necessary measures. These include, for example, the firewall, an intrusion detection and intrusion prevention system, and the configuration of strong access protection.

2. Email Security

Managed cyber security services are also oriented around the main gateway of cyber attacks: your email communications. Therefore, MSS ensure that dangerous attachments are intercepted and neutralized. This reduces the risk within the company of falling victim to such an attack.

3. Localize Vulnerabilities

IT management services are designed to detect vulnerabilities in modern IT infrastructure. Resourceful hackers regularly exploit such gaps to gain access to the company network. These vulnerabilities can be detected and closed by means of a regular vulnerability assessment and penetration tests.

4. Hardware and Software Management

Depending on the solution you choose, the managed service provider will set up the security platform in full. This means they procure, install and operate the hardware and software you need.

5. Regular Monitoring

Your IT management services should also include regular monitoring. After all, without constant monitoring of the systems, there is no guarantee that the platform is actually secure. Another important aspect of monitoring is compliance monitoring, which additionally keeps an eye on the security policies of IT users.

6. Consulting

Managed IT support services are an excellent way to advise and raise awareness among IT managers and executives. This approach is also necessary because security measures always take place in a larger context.

More Cyber Security for Your Company: Here's Why It Pays to Implement MSS

Hiring an expert like Turingsecure to provide IT Management Services brings numerous benefits:

  • Even without a specialized IT department, you have access to the expert knowledge you need. In fact, Cyber Security Managed Services is a separate and complex subject area. Instead of building a passable solution on your own, you use state-of-the-art solutions for your information security platform.
  • You avoid shadow IT, since no unknown hardware components or software solutions gain access to the system. All components are integrated into the security architecture and protected from cybercriminals thanks to IT Management Services.
  • The professionalization of security management is not only demonstrated by Managed IT Support Services. The most important service of a professional solution is full monitoring, which informs you about all alerts. The professionals know how to react to messages and can act quickly accordingly.
  • MSS providers offer rapid scaling for the information or data security platform. Should the company grow within a short period of time, the necessary IT infrastructure is already available to you.

Here's how: Tips for the Best Possible Implementation of Managed Security Services

Very few companies can do without integrating MSS providers. Even today, managers generally opt for external service providers to create a secure IT environment. To ensure that the introduction is successful, you should check the most important points in advance:

  • Check whether the IT department is ready for implementation. This step requires the IT department and senior management to pull together. Although many employers take this unanimity as a given, opinions often differ on IT issues.
  • Choose the right provider. This step takes some time, as the evaluation should be based on a standardized set of criteria. These include, for example, the company's headquarters, experience and certification. Equally important are the services offered, support and pricing.
  • Clarify internal processes and responsibilities early on. Only when there is clarity here can the MSS provider devise the right security strategies for the data security platform and other aspects.
  • Define the role of the IT department in this new context. The move may sound questionable at first, but additional security is not necessarily about job cuts. It is much more important to realign the management of processes and the use of soft skills in the IT department.

Curious? Convinced? Interested?

Arrange a no-obligation consultation with one of our product experts today.