Today you cannot read a news article or turn on the news without hearing about a major data breach. As the world becomes more digitized, the opportunity for cyberattacks are increasing and sadly some of these attacks are becoming more sophisticated as recently reported in the press.
The ability to defend against cyberthreats is now top of mind for most organizations causing many board of directors to demand increased security. Many are rethinking their traditional approaches to cybersecurity management.
As Verizon Enterprise Solutions identified in its Top Tech Business Trends for 2014, we noted that enterprises are increasingly adopting mobility, big data, cloud and broadcast solutions.
According to Eddie Schwartz, vice president of global cybersecurity and consulting solutions at Verizon Enterprise Solutions, "With it, comes the need for more sophisticated cybersecurity programs that quite frankly are exceeding both the availability of human capital around the world and the capability of any one enterprise to execute alone."
To fill this gap, enterprises are looking to develop and execute hybrid cybersecurity-management models that combine an agile staff of in-house security-minded business experts with trusted managed security services across a broad range of capabilities such as identity management, security analytics and cyberintelligence, governance, risk and compliance.
"Finding a trusted provider is critically important," says Schwartz. "Things to look for when selecting an MSSP include: level and depth of expertise, financial viability, broad range of capabilities, a follow-the-sun security operations model and footprint that matches your business."
Here’s why each of these matters to enterprises:
- Expertise: Good security experts are highly sought after and hard to come by these days. Good MSSPs invest in their people, processes and technology which means they have the best tools to utilize and the most qualified talent with the most up-to-date skill sets.
- Financial viability: Smaller firms can come and go in today’s global environment. Selecting an MSSP is an investment in an organization’s business so choosing wisely is important. Be sure to check industry and financial analyst reports to make sure the provider being considered meets these requirements.
- Capabilities: It’s important that a provider offers a full range of services along with professional service and cyberintelligence capabilities so that they can prepare, recognize and respond to any security incident an organization faces.
- Operations model: It’s important that an MSSP follow sound operating procedures and are available 24/7 with a follow-the-sun model so that they are always prepared to defend their clients.
Keeping up with the latest in cyberintelligence can be challenging for even the most seasoned professional. Verizon helps by providing ongoing security insight and analysis from some of the world's most distinguished security researchers through its Verizon Security Blog.
In addition, professionals can also become member of our LinkedIn Security group and join in the conversation here. And, even better, become a become a Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) Insider so you can be among the first to receive the DBIR as well as connect with Verizon’s security experts, participate in research, and hear about helpful products and services.
