Successfully managing your business’s cyber security can be a difficult task, especially when the current talent shortage means that building an in-house team is a long and expensive process. Having the right technical controls and governance policies in place is essential to ensuring that you are doing everything you can to keep your assets, and your sensitive data, safe. Outsourcing your cyber security needs could be extremely beneficial to your business, whether you choose to outsource one service or if you find a supplier to completely manage your cyber security. You should look for a supplier that will fit the needs of your business, rather than trying to sell you overpriced and unnecessary products. This process should start by identifying the gaps in your current strategy and then creating an approach that will work best for your business.

The Benefits of Outsourcing Cyber Security

Cost

One of the most significant benefits of outsourcing cyber security services to a provider is the reduced cost compared to maintaining an in-house team. Hiring your own cyber security professionals, retaining them, keeping up with training and technology is expensive, when you outsource these costs are covered by your provider rather than your business. It’s also very common for businesses to be paying multiple software and solutions providers to protect their data. Choosing to outsource your cyber security services to one provider who can deliver all the necessary services will not only cause less confusion as to who is protecting what, but can also save your business a lot of money.  

Expertise

Cyber security companies are comprised of experts from different fields with various experiences, meaning that your business is protected by knowledgeable people. If a problem is to arise, chances are someone on the team will have dealt with a similar issue multiple times before. Finding your own team with such broad experiences and knowledge can be difficult and is likely to be extremely costly. Outsourcing cyber security services is an effective way to address the current cyber security talent shortage.

24/7/365 Monitoring and Response

When you outsource monitoring and threat detection to a Security Operations Centre (SOC), a team of analysts will work 24/7/365 to monitor your systems for suspicious activity and will immediately respond in the case of a potential security incident. Attackers aren’t restricted to operating between 9-5, in fact, most attacks are targeted outside of business hours in the hope that your systems aren’t being constantly monitored.

Fast Path to Stronger Cyber Security

Outsourcing cyber security services to a provider means that you are able to quickly wrap your data in multiple technical controls and governance procedures. Building an in-house team and creating technical controls to manage and protect your infrastructure is a long and expensive process, a provider will be able to deliver you services and expertise quickly.

Scalability

Cyber security service providers are able to tailor their services to fit your business’s needs and size. As your business expands and changes, your provider will be able to quickly adapt to your new needs and larger infrastructure, meaning that your data stays safe as your operations change.

 Continuity

When you outsource your cyber security needs, services won’t be affected by key members of an in-house team taking annual leave or moving organisations, instead you will have continuous expertise and smooth-running services, meaning you can concentrate on your business rather than worrying. Cyber security service providers will also keep up with changing technology and new attack vectors, meaning that you won’t need to constantly train your staff or buy new equipment.

Transfer Risks

Outsourcing your cyber security means that you transfer risks to your provider. Not only does this take the weight off your shoulders but can be extremely helpful if you are looking to complete certifications such as ISO 27001.

Common Concerns About Outsourcing Cyber Security Services …

1. Lack of control

2. Loss of knowledge

3. Risks concerning the protection of your intellectual property

4. Lack of communication

 All these concerns are valid and can become a reality if you choose the wrong provider. You should be looking for a provider that is willing to suit your business needs, rather than trying to sell you overly expensive products. Make sure to take the time to find a provider that you believe you can build a reliable working relationship with.

The right cyber security provider should offer constant and transparent communication. You should be wary of potential providers who try to scare you into buying unnecessary software or solutions by bombarding you with technical jargon. Choosing a supplier that you feel you can build a strong working relationship with will mean that you can maintain open communication channels and even though the work is being outsourced, you will remain in control of your infrastructure.

When it comes to concerns over the protection of your sensitive data and intellectual property, it’s a good idea to make sure that your provider can prove that they are doing everything possible to keep your data safe. A great indicator of this is a provider being compliant with some of the following standards: Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus, IASME or ISO 27001.

Feel free to ask your provider questions about their data protection policies and procedures. Vague answers or a reluctance to give you information is a red flag; the right provider will address any concerns you have.

You could outsource the following services to strengthen your cyber security posture:

Penetration Testing

A penetration test seeks to identify security threats and vulnerabilities in a website or application. In short, a penetration tester acts as an attacker would in order to test how secure your assets are.  Penetration tests show you the vulnerabilities that could compromise your data before the ‘bad guys’ get the chance to show them to you.

Phishing Simulations

Phishing is the practice of sending fraudulent emails with the aim of tricking users into submitting personal information or inadvertently downloading malware to their systems. Training your users to spot phishing emails turns one of the biggest weaknesses in your cyber security strategy into an added layer of protection. Simulations prepare your employees for the very likely event of a real-life phishing attack on your business.

 vCISO

The role of a CISO is to design and maintain an operational cyber security strategy. Whilst having a CISO is important for running a secure operation, many businesses don’t have the budget to employ their own CISO full time. A Virtual Chief Information Security Officer (vCISO) is able to operate as an employed CISO would, at a rate that suits your needs.

Governance

Governance protects your IT infrastructure by wrapping your technical controls in policies and procedures. An effective governance strategy allows you to identify the assets you have, the data you hold and where you hold it. Gaining visibility over your infrastructure allows you to put the implement the right measures for your business to manage and protect your data. Governance is about finding the balance between business functionality and cyber security.

 Cyber Security Training

Increased user awareness significantly strengthens your security. Users who aren’t careful with managing passwords and updates could open vulnerabilities in your infrastructure. Training your users reduces the easy attack vectors open to malicious actors. Diffusing cyber security throughout your organisation encourages users to incorporate cyber security into their role, rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to the IT team.

Active Threat Detection

ATD monitors your networks, offering you visibility over your infrastructure. Analysts working from Security Operations Centre’s (SOC) actively search for configuration changes or malicious activity that could cause harm to your systems.

Dark Web Scanning

The dark web is a ‘hidden’ part of the internet that can only be accessed by purposely built browsers. Credentials from data breaches tend to end up on the dark web. Due to password re-use, credentials on the dark web could provide an attacker with an open door to your business’s infrastructure. Monthly scans ensure that you are aware of the information about your business that is available on the dark web.

Vulnerability Scanning

Vulnerability scans search networks for known vulnerabilities, highlighting weaknesses in your infrastructure. Often, data breaches are the result of unpatched vulnerabilities. Identifying and remediating vulnerabilities in your network will decrease an attacker’s chances of gaining access to your systems.