There is a serious challenge facing many organizations today: The lack of security expertise. Yet, there are multitudes of new cyber security threats daily. Moreover, IT departments face the overwhelming difficulty of warding off attacks coming in from every direction.
As technologies advance, so will the cyber security threat landscape. And, sometimes, cyber criminals simply pursue nefarious activities just to disrupt business. The good news is you don’t have to face it alone. When cloud computing came into maturity, there wasn’t anything you couldn’t manage in the cloud.
And, this includes security. By partnering with a Managed Service Provider, you can get Security as a Service (SECaaS), faster and more cost-effective than having to invest in and maintain your own physical resources – not to mention having to hire full-time IT staff. So then, what is SECaaS and why has it become such a hot topic? We’ll discuss that in the next section.
What Is Security as a Service
SECaaS means that you have hired a vendor to manage your security via the cloud and over the Internet. For instance, instead of delivering local anti-virus software or other cyber security tools, you get these tools delivered through your web browser. It’s simple, direct, and you don’t have to deal with the upfront hardware costs or expensive licensing fees.
Cyber security doesn’t have to be expensive
There is a misconception that hiring an MSP to handle your security is too costly. Unquestionably, it is much more expensive to buy every security tool individually, invest in hardware, find a space for the hardware, hire full-time security staff, and then pay for the heating and cooling bills. In contrast, MSPs provide consistency and predictability.
If you do want to maintain a small staff, they can then feel free to focus on more strategic cyber security management as needed. Still, the labor market for cyber security experts is tight. Why not rely on a MSP who can provide a team of experts, and give you access 24×7? There is little-to-no capital expense, and you simply pay for the services you use.
Quick security updates
With the threat of devastating ransomware attacks and even deep fakes just on the horizon, it’s no wonder why companies are increasing their network security budget. With Security as a Service, you can rest assured that the constant threats are being proactively addressed.
With SECaaS, your security frameworks will always be updated as they are deployed right when they are available. Cyber threats are always changing, but your security tools will always be updated with the latest threats.
Just a few examples of SECaaS services include:
● Network security
● Vulnerability scanning
● Continuous monitoring
● Email security
● Anti-virus management
● Spam filtering
● Intrusion protection
● Identity and Access Management
● Encryption
As you can see, the list of services is comprehensive.
Prevent a nightmare scenario
Threat actors launch malware, ransomware, and other types of attacks by the thousands – every day. Add to this the shift in work culture where the modern employee wants to use technology to work from anywhere, at any time. And, the employee experience is paramount – which includes access to the latest tech tools. As a result, technology staff are tasked with offering a great employee experience without stifling productivity.
But, cyber criminals know that all they have to do is trick one employee and all bets are off. Yet, you can’t just place all your networks on lock down – how would you get any work done? Plus, the business cost of cybercrime is expected to exceed $6 trillion by 2021. Nonetheless, many companies struggle to find employees with the skills needed to effectively manage the evolving threat landscape. It’s also highly expensive to hire a team who is up to speed on every platform.
Although, with SECaaS, you can monitor every employee’s web activity, manage all endpoints, and receive automated alerts the second suspicious activity is logged. If your IT staff doesn’t have one day a week to spare for studying the latest updates, then you are probably a good candidate for SECaaS.
In conclusion
There is a reason why Security as a Service is becoming increasingly popular. The evolving threat landscape, and complexity of managing and updating security tools make it a sound investment for any company who takes pride in a secure IT environment.
