When it comes to cybersecurity and IT management, most businesses need help. Whether by co-managing or outsourcing an entire IT team, the need for a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) is paramount to staying safe in today’s cybersecurity landscape.
You might have recognized that need already but with hundreds of MSSPs out there, how do you choose the right one for your business?
Qualities to Look For in A Managed Security Service Provider
As a IT Support Provider for nearly twenty years, ITS knows how critical choosing your IT provider is to your business growth. Thus, in this article, you’ll find the top five characteristics you should take into consideration when selecting your MSSP, namely:
- Industry expertise
- Advanced security
- 24/7 availability
- Adherence to agreements
- Customer service
By the end of this article, you should be able to recognize why these qualities are essential to your business. At the same time, determine if your current MSSP provides you with enough support.
1. Industry expertise
Cybersecurity is a top-down business imperative. And organizations are certainly aware of this notion. However, there is a reason many companies are still stumbling when it comes to protecting their data and responding to data breaches. That is, security isn't their core competency.
For this reason, delegating the work to a trusted partner may be the wisest decision to bridge the talent gap. When you hire an MSSP, they can take care of your network security with the help of their dedicated staff, which includes highly skilled and renowned security and compliance experts, ethical hackers, researchers, and incident responders.
2. Advanced security
Although technology has evolved massively over the last decade, many businesses are still stuck when it comes to their IT. They believe traditional technologies like antivirus and firewalls are the smartest security investment they can make. This is not only untrue but also a very dangerous outlook.
When you rely on these pieces of software alone, you are exposing your network to cyber attackers, inevitably risking your business data. The right MSSP should be able to provide you with high-value security solutions, such as:
- Threat Detection & Response: Identifies and mitigates network threats in real time.
- System Performance Monitoring: Oversees IT performance across the entire network.
- Incident Management: Ensures network security and maintains safe operating levels.
- Real time Event Correlation: Instantly identifies potential threat risks to a business.
- Event Log Management: Stores and organizes event logs and usage data across the network.
- User & Entity Behavioral Analysis: Pinpoints odd user behavior to stop malicious activity on the spot.
- Compliance Reporting and Management: Quickly find reports and set reminders for important compliance and regulation dates at all times.
- Automated Asset Discovery: Detects and monitors endpoints connected to the network.
- Security Automation and Orchestration: Have total control of your security efforts through a one-stop platform.
3. 24/7 Availability
Cyberthreats know no time and geographical bounds, and neither should your IT support. Make sure that when looking for a provider, you find one that can offer you proactive and round-the-clock support and monitoring services that can easily discover and handle threats before they can cause harm.
The ability to respond to and resolve issues quickly is perhaps the most desirable quality of an MSSP. And although many MSPs implement automated support solutions such as a help center, chatbot, or other artificial intelligence, which enables them to always be available for clients, it is still best to have actual human support to help you whenever needed.
4. Adherence to agreements
Nothing is more upsetting than hiring somebody for a specific job, but they don’t do it. Luckily, this doesn’t happen with qualified MSSPs. A good MSSP should live up to its promises and expectations. They should be able to provide you with the right support right off the bat and continuously find solutions to make your network future-proof, or else your business will have to face the consequences.
5. Customer service
All businesses are different, and a good MSSP will take the time to understand your unique requirements, challenges, and needs, rather than offer a cookie-cutter approach. Similarly, the services they offer, from data plans and telephony options to business applications and hardware, must suit you. Don’t be duped by a long list of inclusions; you could end up paying for a dozen services you don't need.
What’s more, you should be able to select the type and level of service you want from your MSSP—whether you require consultation services or fully hosted solutions with 24/7 support. And, as your requirements change, your MSP must be able to scale up or down, providing you with all the services and support you need when you need them.
In the search for the right MSSP, do not forget to look into client reviews and testimonials. A good provider must have a proven track record in delivering on their commitments and obligations to make for a much more satisfying customer experience.
Does your current MSSP live up to your expectations?
To ensure you get the best service out of your MSSP, they should have proven industry expertise, provide advanced security, be available 24/7, strictly adhere to agreements, and provide customer satisfaction. These are the qualities that can help support and grow your business.
If your current MSSP falls short of any of these, then it’s a sign to look for a new one.
ITS can help you leverage the benefits of current and emerging IT solutions and ensure that your company prospers. Call us today for a free technology assessment, or read our articles on the best MSSPs in your area to find the right one for your business:
