Organizations turn to network security service providers to help them design, implement, and manage all elements of network security. Doing so makes governing and maintaining controls both easier and more effective. Plus, it can streamline the process of regulatory compliance.
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Leveraging Managed Network Security Services
Working with external network security service providers allows organizations to draw on expert guidance without the exorbitant costs of recruiting and retaining top cyberdefense talent. In particular, network-focused IT security services providers will help your organization with:
- Strategizing and implementing sound network security policy
- Installing and managing secure wireless network architecture
- Ensuring security across cloud networks, on-premise and remote
- Achieving and maintaining compliance with network security regulations
To get the most out of your engagement, you’ll need to understand these benefits and how they apply to risks specific to your organization—and find a provider whose values mirror your own.
Optimize Network Security Governance
A managed security service provider (MSSP) can help with any component of your network security deployment. That includes even the fundamental processes of assessing your needs and developing a strategy to meet them. Managed network security services include security program advisory, or consultations and guidance on which controls to prioritize, why, and how.
Working with a network-focused MSSP in an advisory capacity allows organizations to identify the scope of their network cyberdefense systems. You can generate an accurate report of all assets and users that would be impacted by a breach of network security, along with particular threats and vulnerabilities that would make such a breach likely. Your advisor can then work with you on strategies for patching weaknesses and installing additional controls to mitigate the risks.
At the highest level, organizations can utilize IT security services providers as a virtual chief information security officer (vCISO) to assume responsibility for all network security decisions.
Secure Wireless Network Architecture
IT security services providers can help you ensure secure networks by designing the actual hardware and software that comprise them. You can leverage your engagement to develop new architecture or assess and improve the network assets and systems that you have in place.
Network-focused cybersecurity architecture includes but is not limited to:
- Network hardware – These are the physical devices that allow for network connectivity, whether wired or wireless. They need to be configured for easy monitoring and control.
- Software safeguards – These are programs applied across devices connected to the network, including firewalls and content filters, that function as layers of protection.
- Programmatic controls – These are organization-wide measures taken to ensure secure access and use of networks, such as identity and access management (IAM).
You can work with an IT security services provider to strategize, deploy, and manage some or all of these. Together, you’ll ensure that networks are functioning as designed—providing safe access to those who need it but preventing unauthorized use or disclosure of sensitive data.
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Safeguard Cloud Network Infrastructure
You can also leverage managed network security services to improve your cyberdefense in the cloud. As cloud-based approaches to computing, storage, and other business functions become increasingly widespread, there is ever more exposure to the unique risks of cloud networks:
- Limited visibility or control over which devices connect to the cloud (and from where)
- Broken segmentation as cloud-connected devices may connect to unsecured networks
- Greater potential for third-party vulnerabilities with devices not directly under your control
MSSPs will help you mitigate all of these risks with targeted cloud security deployments like Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). The best way to secure your cloud is to ensure that all access to resources on it is authenticated and closely monitored—or seized immediately if a risk appears.
A critical but easy-to-overlook part of cloud security is employee vigilance. You can and should leverage network security service providers for regular staff cybersecurity awareness training.
Meet Network-related Regulatory Requirements
Finally, you can leverage network security service providers to meet or exceed requirements from state, federal, and other regulations applicable to network security. While some standards are specific to an industry niche or location, others apply broadly to all kinds of organizations.
For example, the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) applies to most organizations that process credit card payments and sensitive cardholder data (CHD). Of the twelve DSS Requirements, the first two are explicitly focused on building and maintaining a secure network and systems. Requirement 1 in particular calls for organizations to configure and maintain network security controls (NSC) to restrict access, among other functions.
Working with a quality MSSP will help you meet applicable regulatory requirements related to network security. Managed network security services cover design and implementation, along with any required assessment and reporting, to help you achieve and maintain compliance.
Rethink Your Network Security Today
Getting the most out of managed network security services means knowing your own network security needs well and seeking out a service provider who will help you meet them. You want a partner who’s committed to serving you above all else and will stop at nothing to keep you safe.
At RSI Security, we live by that value. We know that the right way is the only way to configure and manage network security. We’ll work with you to create freedom through security discipline.
To learn more about what value network security service providers can provide for you, or get started rethinking and optimizing your network cyberdefense, contact RSI Security today!
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