Getting the most out of MSSP services means taking advantage of five unique benefits:
- Top-line governance and advisory, including outsourced C-suite services
- Assistance planning and building out robust cybersecurity infrastructure
- Guided implementation across multiple regulatory frameworks’ controls
- Comprehensive risk assessment and threat and vulnerability management
- Streamlined assessments and certifications for regulatory compliance
1. Govern IT and Security Programs Effectively
One of the biggest reasons organizations turn to managed security service providers (MSSPs) is for cybersecurity consultancy and program advisory. And they’re right to; MSSP providers have deep, varied experience that allows organizations of any size and maturity to govern their security processes effectively. MSSPs enable efficient management as an organization scales.
Training and awareness programs are one of the ways MSSPs facilitate sound governance. A team of outsourced security experts will train your staff to ensure they’re able and willing to reduce the scope of threats and respond swiftly if an attack or other incident does occur.
Another critical capacity of MSSPs is filling in for an organization’s chief information security officer (CISO) role through a virtual on-demand approach: the virtual CISO (vCISO). A vCISO provides all the expertise of a traditional CISO while significantly reducing security spend.
2. Plan and Build a Robust Security Infrastructure
MSSP managed security partners do more than advise; they also help organizations strategize and execute architecture implementation. That means developing a comprehensive plan and then building or otherwise acquiring controls and systems to keep IT infrastructure secure.
For example, organizations can work with their MSSP partner to identify the best perimeter defenses, such as firewalls and web filters, to prevent malicious traffic from entering their systems. As an additional layer of security, organizations may also build or acquire dedicated scanners for personally identifiable information (PII) and primary account numbers (PAN).
MSSPs can also tailor an organization’s security architecture to specific regulatory needs.
3. Implement Controls Required by Regulations
Often, organizations aren’t building their cybersecurity in a vacuum. When it comes time to buy and develop safeguards, IT teams are often building for and around what’s required of them by applicable regulatory standards. Managed IT security services providers are uniquely positioned to assist in this capacity since their work straddles multiple regulatory contexts simultaneously.
For example, consider a couple of distinct regulations that might both apply to an organization:
- If an organization processes credit card payments or, it may need to comply with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS). The 12 Requirements of the DSS comprise controls and approaches designed to protect cardholder data (CHD).
- If an organization works closely with the US government or a branch of the military, it may need to comply with multiple National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publications and/or achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
These and other regulations (i.e., HIPAA, SOC 2, HITRUST) all have considerable overlap.
Working with an MSSP is the best way to install all required controls efficiently, minimizing any redundancies. And, when everything is in place, MSSPs also assist with assessments—see #5.
4. Understand and Address Risks Systematically
Effective security requires more than controls and safeguards. Organizations also need to be monitoring for risks and addressing them as they arise. To that effect, MSSP security services help lessen the number of serious risks that surface and their likelihood of actually materializing.
In cybersecurity contexts, risk is the relationship between vulnerabilities and threats.
Effective risk management with an MSSP starts with identifying vulnerabilities, or weaknesses in cybersecurity infrastructure. Any gaps, such as missing patches, need to be addressed swiftly.
MSSPs also help organizations scan for, detect, and neutralize threats. Threats are individuals, actions, and other phenomena that can exploit vulnerabilities and lead to breaches or other security events. Examples include cybercriminals and attackers, who are threat actors, and the specific kinds of attacks they use (i.e., phishing, DDoS, hacking), which are threat vectors.
5. Streamline Compliance Assessments with an MSSP
Finally, MSSP cybersecurity services help organizations fulfill their compliance obligations by preparing for and conducting official assessments. Many regulatory frameworks require one or more official audits to ensure that the target organization has implemented all of the controls.
For example, consider assessment requirements for the frameworks noted above:
- For PCI DSS, organizations above a certain threshold of annual transaction volume need to have their compliance assessed by a PCI-recognized Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) and/or an Approved Scanning Vendor (ASV)—both MSSPs.
- For CMMC, organizations that require Level 2 CMMC certification are required to conduct triennial third-party assessments led by a Certified Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). C3PAOs are MSSPs vetted and listed by the Cyber-AB.
While some regulations explicitly require organizations to work with a third-party assessor, others allow for self-assessment. In either case, working with an MSSP helps organizations prepare and succeed as swiftly as possible with readiness, gap, and official assessments.
Optimize Your Cybersecurity and Compliance Today
RSI Security is a leading MSSP and cybersecurity advisory partner that has helped countless organizations of all sizes and in all industries meet their security and compliance needs.
We offer governance, infrastructure, compliance, risk management, and assessment services tailored to the exact needs and means of our partners. We’re devoted to helping organizations like yours stay secure and compliant, efficiently, by rethinking your cyberdefenses.
To learn more about our MSSP services, contact RSI Security today!
